Commuting - riding on the left lane...?

i was just wondering if it's usually acceptable to ride on the left lane (on a two lane road) when you know that you have to go into the left turn lane a couple of hundred feet away... i usually find myself being on the right lane and having to really slow down waiting for cars to pass by so i can get on the left turn lane... to me it seems like it's a little safer to ride the left lane if i'm about to turn...

By two lane road, I'm assuming that you mean two lanes in one direction. What you are doing is clearly legal and smart, at least here in Georgia.

yea... i'm in Georgia too... but i have another question... do stop lights detect cyclist...? because sometimes i will wait and wait for a left turn signal, but the left turn signal never gets on my side but it does for the traffic going the opposite way... i do try to stay in the middle of the left turn lane if there are no cars behind me...

Some stop lights have a row of yellow dots, about the size of a huckey puck, near or overlapping the stop lign. That is the most sensitive part of the sensor and is where you should stand. Put your bike over the yellow dots and is should sense you. Otherwise it probably won't. Some cities have them and some cities don't.

As for cutting in to the left hand turn lane, I try and time it so there is a space when I get close enough to it. Do lots of shoulder checks well before the turn line. Try and adjust your speed so you get to the turn lane in between traffic.

I do tend to slow down a little to make sure it is clear for me to go over, but I get in the left lane to make a turn all the time. I will take the whole lane when I am in the left lane

I too take the left or left turn lane. How soon I get in it depends on the density and speed of traffic.

FWIW, many (most) signal detectors in New Jersey, USA don't seem to detect bikes.

Paul

I move over and take the lane if I'm turning left. If the cages are slowing for the light it's easy, if it's a faster road you have to be more careful. I have waited more than once though if traffic's heavy.

I have found that the turn light detects my bike about half the time. I read an article a while back that described the sensors and how they work. Apparently its a pressure thing and the article advised pressing down on the middle of the sensor pad. On most lights you can see the cut-out in the road where the sensor is. This works pretty well for me.

I also make it a point to wear brightly colored cloths when I ride in traffic, the theory is that the cars see you better.

CM,

I don't think I have run into a detector yet that would trip when I got over it.

Where are you located? I'm out in Gwinnett, not the most bike friendly area around.

I use the left lane as well for turning left, that is, if it is with traffic. Around here traffic signal acctuators are metal detecting wires imbedded in grooves cut in the surface which are identifiable by some polymer overlay. Unfortunately, they only detect ferrous metals (steel). I've been the only 'vehicle' at a light and I plant my bottom bracket directly over the sensor. I get my turn. My wife and her aluminum hybrid doesn't fair as well.....

Yes, I usually handle it this way:

I take one lane at a time. First I work on the right lane (the one I'm in.) I look back. If it's clear to put my arm out, I signal left. I wait and look for a motorist behind me to slow to my speed to allow me to move to the center of the right lane and control it. I never force my way in.

I repeat the procedure for the left lane. Once a motorist has allowed me in front of them, I know they are aware of me. I signal my left turn and my stop carefully. I relax and execute my left turn when I'm ready. If I have a left-turn-only lane, I move into it before turning.

However, if you don't feel safe doing this, you can stay on the right and cross the intersection on the right, then stop on the shoulder on the other side and wait for the light. Then you can cross again with traffic, completing you left turn--from the right lane.

Here's a more professional example:

http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/chapter3a.htm

Looking back should always be done, whether you have a mirror or not. You should be able to look behind you without swerving. If you can't, practice until you can. You don't want to swerve into traffic!