randya

It's Davis - I thought you're supposed to ride on the MUPs and not on the street.

Helmet Head

Actually, now that you mention it, this intersection being in facilities-riddled Davis is probably a more significant factor than we've discussed.

Davis bicyclists are probably not accustomed to using regular traffic lanes, and Davis motorists are probably less accustomed to encountering bicyclists in the regular traffic lanes than are motorists elsewhere. This might explain why it didn't seem to occur to the OP to use the rightmost through lane to go straight.

Bekologist

can the intersections' bikeability be improved in any way, head? is it a jacked up intersection or what?

we know there are things riders can do to better negotiate poorly designed intersections; can you think of any improvements to the infrastructure of this intersection to benefit bicyclists?

chipcom 

If the OP hasn't already bailed from this thread - what is that striped area between the through lane and the left RH turn lane, just to the left of your red dotted line, after you've merged left? Is that a median/island or a striped bike lane or what? I assume it's an island...I'd suggest trying to merge a little earlier so you are to the left of it and in the through lane, rather than in the RH turn lane.

Helmet Head

Okay, in the spirit of "things seem to be improving on this forum in terms of how we treat each other now that the moderators are enforcing guidelines", I'm taking you off ignore a month early. On that note, please stop referring to me as "Mr. Head", "head", or any other disrespectful butchering of my name. HH is fine. Thanks.

To answer your question, I'm much more comfortable suggesting cyclist behavior methods to dealing with traffic problems than engineering solutions. However, in general, the area I would look into is traffic calming measures at the intersection approach, so that the stream of right turning traffic that the through cyclist has to merge across is not moving quite so fast.

Bekologist

Mr. Head IS respectful, Mr. Head.

what kinds of traffic calming could Davis engineer into two lanes of right turning traffic to make that intersection more bicyclist friendly?

Helmet Head

In order to show respect to someone, you refer to them based on how they wish to be referred, not based on what you think is respectful. I prefer that you not call me head or Mr. Head. HH is fine. It's a simple request. Let's not turn this into a stupid issue, okay? Thanks.

I think the key is to put in traffic calming much earlier - before the right lane splits into two right turn lanes. I'm not a traffic calming expert, but I suspect narrowing the lanes and maybe adding some "side friction" and curves would be helpful.

chipcom 

Not picking on you, Mr. Head (I couldn't resist ), but I'd like to use this exchange as an example of what I wish we could avoid - pointing fingers at the behavior of others and making demands based on our own vanity. It's fricken childish and isn't going to accomplish anything. How about we concentrate on improving our own individual behaviors and let others do as they may? I imagine it would become quite obvious who is making an effort and who is not, don't you think?

genec

My bike has brakes... when I approach questionable situations where on coming traffic can potentially making left turns in front of me, and motorists might right hook me, I slow down. I maintain position, but I slow to speeds that allow me to maneuvour or stop if needed.

The only time I allow myself to travel at 40MPH on any street is when there are NO intersections involved of any kind. The decent down Genesee approaching hiway 5 is an example... I may travel at 40MPH until within about 10 car lengths of the merge ramp. Then I signal a slow and and slow down.

I would do the same thing driving a motorcycle.

Approaching that same intersection on Gilman, I slow down in my car.

I try to not put myself in situations that require emergency moves.

Bekologist

I think Mr. Head is referring to him in his car at 40MPH, Gene.

I'm curious what types of 'traffic calming' measures could be placed to slow down and make drivers more aware and more cognizant of bikes crossing to move straight thru this high speed intersection- slowing down traffic with curves on a gunshot arterial?

how about a well defined bike lane and signs saying "cars yield to bikes", perhaps?