European Cities Allowing Bikes to Run Red Lights

[soprano]

If you are in the lane behind anything bigger than a compact car, oncoming drivers who are waiting to turn left can't see you. They will assume that the lane is clear and start to turn as the car in front of you goes past them.

I've come close to being hit several times this way. These days I either go around waiting cars so I can wait at the front of the intersection, where I am most visible to everyone in the intersection, or I wait in the leftmost part of the lane so oncoming drivers can see me. It doesn't matter how bright my clothing is or how good my lights are if there is an SUV between me and turning traffic.

When I am driving, good defensive driving practice dictates that I wait and verify that there is nothing hiding behind oncoming cars before I turn. Now, wouldn't it be just peachy if everyone did this? The problem is that they don't.

[rubysoho]

Thank you for pointing out that situation to me. One more thing to be aware of on the road.