Newbie commuter question...please help!!

[Bueller]

Okay, I've been riding to work for 3 weeks now and I have only encountered this problem twice and the first guy was great, the second guy was rude. I'm sure it's my fault (as I'm new to this) but I have to ask this question. I am in the designated bike lane but when it comes to making a right turn the bike lane is designed to go straight whereas I want to go right. When and how do I signal that I want to go right (not the right hand turn signal--I know that one, but the one that let's the driver know I'm actually getting out of the bike lane that is designed to go straight and that I'm about to get into his lane). The drivers want to give me the right away thinking I want to go straight; however, I really want to turn right. With the first guy, when he saw my right turn signal, he slowed down enough for me to see and waved me to get in front of him. The second guy waved but didn't slow down so I didn't go until he honked his horn and flipped me off. Do I not stay in the bike lane but get into the right turn lane? HELP!! Not sure if this makes sense but again also not sure how to draw a map on this forum?

[KnottedYet]

I'm guessing you are talking about a bike lane that has a lane of thru-traffic cars to the left of it, and a lane of right-turning cars to the right of it? (we have one of those where I sometimes ride)

Trying to change lanes there makes me nervous. When I need to turn right I scoot over to the right turn lane as soon as I can (as soon as the right turn lane appears) just like I would if I were a car. Since the cars and I are turning right at the next intersection I figure I'm safe being to the right of the cars when traffic is heavy, rather than taking the full lane. (which I wouldn't do if I were a car! ) When traffic is light I take my full share of the right turn lane.

Sorry the one guy flipped you off. He was probably confuse and tried to cover for his embarrassment by being rude.

[boy in a kilt]

You have the right idea and Knot speaks sooth.

The only thing I have to add is that people in cars are basically semi-intelligent animals. If you do whatever you are going to do with a little confidence and authority, they'll usually let you go on about your business. If you act a little nervous, they get nervous too and that makes them all weird and fussy.

[Sheesh]

I agree with Knot - you should move into the right turn lane as soon as it begins (keeping to the right side of the lane), while signaling so the drivers coming up behind you in the right turn lane know that you're planning to turn right.

[onimity]

Yea, same here. I signal before the right turn lane appears and then move into it ASAP. I always take the full lane in those cases.

The case I hate the most is when the (through or right) bike lane is to the right of a right turn lane. That's a tough call for me. Sometimes I stay in the bike lane and move up in front of cars and make eye contact to make sure they aren't going to turn right into me, but if they aren't stopped I prefer to take the right-most through traffic lane through the intersection and move over as soon as I can.

Some people will honk & flip you off regardless of what you do. I just smile and wave, to thank them for seeing me if nothing else.

BTW, it isn't 'his' lane, it's your right turn lane too. Just be courteous and confident and most people will respect you.

Anne

[boy in a kilt]

In case the bike lane becomes the right turn lane, I just move left into the right side of the next lane over.

People get a little uppity but most drivers seem to appreciate it. Or they think I'm barking mad and are afraid to provoke me.

[KnottedYet]

I've gotten "trapped" in the right curb-edge of a right turn lane, when I didn't want to be there cuz I was going thru the intersection straight. I can be mighty uncomfortable in hairy traffic situations, and if I don't feel good about trying to move over into another lane for whatever reason, I just don't.

So I cheat. I bump my bike up onto the sidewalk and walk thru the intersection in the crosswalk.

Nice thing about being on a bike: you can quickly go from being a vehicle to being a pedestrian pushing a bike! I like it because it gets me out of situations that I feel are beyond my skill or comfort level, and it can also give me a little breather so I can assess the traffic/road/car-behaviour before I get back on the road.