Advocacy & Safety - Told I can't do this..was he right?

While biking last night I was making a left turn and used the left lane instead of the bike lane because I felt it was the safest way to get onto the main road; Not long after I got into the lane, I was honked at, but I thought it was 'cause I was going too slow so I sped up and continued up to the stop light. A few seconds later, the guy that honked at me called me out and told me I can't start the left lane and that I should start in the bike lane and change lanes into the turning lane. Of course that's what I normally do, but there was a lot of cars on the road at the time and I would've had a hard time changing lanes with all the cars, and at a low speed, so I just apologized and said I didn't know. What I'm wondering is if what I did was illegal or more unsafe than changing lanes from the bike lane.

The picture below is of the road I'm talking about, it's only about 100 yds with a speed limit of 25 mph. I took the green line, the blue line is what I would've taken from the bike lane, except with traffic starting at the white line, and the red line is what I really would have felt more safe with taking if I wasn't taking the green line at the time.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/48e9dd9d63.jpg

I've done this on multiple occasions and always thought I was right, until last night, so any input would be helpful.

Thanks

I can't see the picture.

My answer would be: If it is legal for a motorcycle to make the move that you made, then you are withing the law under most circumstances.

I do exactly what you are talking about every day on my commute route. It keeps me from interrupting the flow of traffic and it is far safer than the strict literal reading of the law.

You should have asked the driver if he does the same thing with his car. I would bet a dollar to a dime the answer is no.

This is without question one of those times when to strictly obeying the law would result in more danger to yourself and far more impedance to traffic.

Forget the motorist - although he may have meant well.

People who flatly obey the law "because it is the law" - without examining whether it is logical and practical with respect to its intent (in this case motorist/cyclist safety) and the multitude of different situations that may arise - should never, ever dictate your actions.

Rule of thumb:

Don't take advice from cagers.

Thanks guys, I'm glad to hear it; however, since the picture wasn't working I re-read what I wrote and I don't know if it sounds exactly what I'm talking about, but I re-uploaded it in case it wasn't.

Ditto. For that short of a distance, I see nothing wrong with it and I do the same thing on parts of my commute.

Your course would be the correct course from the laws I see on the books in Tennessee. Perhaps there are special laws for special people where you are. I'd tend to ignore them. What you did looks like what any vehicle would correctly do.

And I'd also ignore folks rude enough to attempt to educate me without providing citations to the law or other backup. You did fine, though.

Left turn lanes are there to make left turns in. Bicycles are for the most part considered vehicles and therefore you should be able to do that turn. Besides the speed limit was 25. I do this all the time on my commute, and I also read the "as far right as safe clause" as riding in the right tire tracks on the road, which forces people to pass in a safer manner, or if they choose to be unsafe I have room to move.

Of course one should make left turns from left turn lanes. How can one even make a (legal, safe, practical, clear intent) left from a bike lane unless possibly the bike lane is 'part' of the left turn lane.

Al

I think that what you have been doing is correct. The distance that you travel in the left lane before you get to the turn lane is short, and to move from your first left turn into the bike lane and than back across two traffic lanes and into the left turn lane seem unnecessarily dangerous.

What you did sounds fine to me. Of course, each state has its own bicycling laws and California's seem to deviate from the norm more than most; the general rule, though, seems to be that the bike lane is essentially "reserved" for bicyclists, but it's not mandatory that they use it. Therefore, crossing the lanes to get to the left turn lane, which you - by law - have to be in to turn, would seem to be a perfectly legal move.

Again, though, you'd have to go through the statutes and applicable regulations to see how it works where you are.

Rule of thumb:

Don't take advice from cagers.

Bek is right... most "cagers" barely know the laws that govern their vehicles... they just follow each other like sheep.

Make a left turn just like you would in a car or motorcycle... leave the bike lane with plenty of room to change lanes and make it to the turn lane... if there is no traffic, you can just angle across to the left lane, but more than likely there will be some traffic... in that case, signal and change lanes just like you would any other time... check each time you make a lateral move and ensure you have room to do so... and then just change lanes one at a time right over to the left lane.

If a motorist insists that you shouldn't do it... tell them to call the police, and you'll wait. That alone will usually intimidate the idiots.

You did what I would have done. Pretty much ignore what car drivers say to you. Just wave at them.

You did good.
Keep riding safe.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/DinotteDayLightTraffic.jpg

There's one intersection on my commute where I make a left turn from the left turn lane. It's definitely the safest and cars respect me. But since I'm coming from the far right initially, if it's just too busy to make my way over 2 lanes and into the turn lane, I'll stay on the right and head over to the pedestrian cross walk and wait for a signal to cross.


Seems to be the best way for me and my safety. With your situation, and judging from that picture, I'd try to get over in the turn lane for sure.

Know the laws in your state as they pertain to cyclists:
http://massbike.org/bikelaw/statelaws.htm
Quote chapter & verse right back at your 'advisor'. Even LEO often don't know the law. Works like a charm.

Thanks for that link...

Well, for Ohio, looks like you need to get your butt over to the left lane, or get off the bike and walk it like a pedestrian.


§ 4511.36. Rules for turns at intersections.

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall be governed by the following rules:

(A) Approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

(B) At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.


Comment: The rules for turns are exactly the same for bicycles as for other vehicles – merge to the appropriate position (right for right turns, left for left turns), yield to any traffic that has the right of way and then turn. A cyclist also has the option to make turns as a pedestrian by dismounting and walking the bicycle through the intersection.
Getting into position for a left turn may involve merging across lanes of traffic. If traffic is heavy, you should start doing this early to take advantage of gaps in traffic. Otherwise, there may not be a gap when you need it. Beginners, who have not yet developed the skill to merge in traffic, may make pedestrian-style turns instead.

Hey, in most states, a bike is a vehicle, with all rights & duties as any other vehicle, save or those that cannot apply, due to the nature of the vehicle.

What the OP's advisor was advocating is commonly called a ' shooting gallery' left turn. At the risk of turning this thread, it is also a mojor flaw with bike lanes through intersections.

I think most motorists don't realize that cyclists often have to merge earlier into left lanes than cars would when there's a lot of traffic because of the typically lower speed of bicycles, and the unwillingness of some motorists to let in a slower moving vehicle. I catch flack for it sometimes, but hey... sometimes it's the only way to get over there.

Hey, in most states, a bike is a vehicle, with all rights & duties as any other vehicle, save or those that cannot apply, due to the nature of the vehicle.

What the OP's advisor was advocating is commonly called a ' shooting gallery' left turn. At the risk of turning this thread, it is also a mojor flaw with bike lanes through intersections.

That and what I call the "disappearing bike lane". There will be a lane along a street for several blocks, and then it will just...stop. It sometimes picks up again a block or two later. But most of the time it just dead-ends, for no apparent reason and often at a location that comparatively few people travel to (as in nowhere near a transit center/large office park/strip mall).

H... At the risk of turning this thread, it is also a mojor flaw with bike lanes through intersections.

This is my thought exactly. In some circumstances bike lanes make sense and I use them, but the logic and safety gets at best confusing at intersections like these. I can't imagine how a newby would respond to that situation - with confusion and dangerous maneuvering I'd guess.

I know it is pretty stupid, but in Illinois, bicycles are supposed to stay right, go thru the intersection, stop, then cross the road when it is safe, and continue in your new direction.

Me, I take the left turn lane, just like a car.

I know it is pretty stupid, but in Illinois, bicycles are supposed to stay right, go thru the intersection, stop, then cross the road when it is safe, and continue in your new direction.

Me, I take the left turn lane, just like a car.

Really, is this documented somewhere?

Most places with bike lanes do not mandate their use. You probably don't ever have to ride in the bike lane, and if it would have been dangerous to move back over within the time you had then it's probably better to start in the left lane. On a multi-lane road like this the cars can change lanes and go around you. That's not a big deal for a block or two.

I know it is pretty stupid, but in Illinois, bicycles are supposed to stay right, go thru the intersection, stop, then cross the road when it is safe, and continue in your new direction.

Me, I take the left turn lane, just like a car.

Illinois has the same bicycle laws as most states. There is nothing in Illinois state law or home rule community ordinances prohibiting left turns from a left turn lane.

The section in the IL state vehicle code on lane position for a bicycle is at
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh%2E+11+Art%2E+XV&ActID=1815&ChapAct=625%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B5%2F&ChapterID=49&ChapterName=VEHICLES&SectionID=59725&SeqStart=118800000&SeqEnd=120700000&ActName=Illinois+Vehicle+Code%2E and it reads:



(625 ILCS 5/11‑1505) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1505)
Sec. 11‑1505. Position of bicycles and motorized pedal cycles on roadways ‑ Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
(a) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable and safe to the right‑hand curb or edge of the roadway except under the following situations:

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle, motorized pedal cycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; or

2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or

3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, motorized pedal cycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right‑hand curb or edge. For purposes of this subsection, a "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

4. When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
(b) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle upon a one‑way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left‑hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.
(Source: P.A. 95‑231, eff. 1‑1‑08.)

The box left turn or L left turn Wanderer describes is an option a cyclist may use if it is difficult to negotiate into the left turn lane.

One more note for Illinois cyclists ... This booklet http://bikelib.org/guides/illinoisbicyclistguide.pdf prepared by the League of Illinois Bicyclists is free at most bicycle shops. It includes a list of suggestions for riding legally and safely in traffic. If you can't find it at the LBS, request it from http://bikelib.org/

The driver was an idiot. His 'advice' to you probably took up more time than any 'delay' you might've caused him. Thell him to get some ******** perspective.

100 yards is about the right distance to start getting over two lanes to a left turn lane on a 25 mph road, with no traffic. There's a spot near here where I do exactly what you did, but most of the club members on rides do what the motorist thinks you should, and they immediately have to start getting back over. It's much easier for all involved to do what you did.

The driver was telling you that because what you did interfered with his presumed 'absolute right to the road in its entirety'.

He was wrong. And still is.

NOBODY makes a left from the right lane, bike lanes or no. It's suicidally stupid to do so.

Guess what, the first left turn depicted by your blue line would be an improper (illegal) left turn. When turning left, vehicles must make the turn from the left lane and complete the turn in the left most lane. Then you have to make lane changes right if you wanted to travel in the bike lane.

What you did was legal and the safest method for making the 2 left turns.

Additional note: your yellow line is an improper left turn as well for the same reason. It may get you into a collision with a motorist turning right on red.

Guess what, the first left turn depicted by your blue line would be an improper (illegal) left turn. When turning left, vehicles must make the turn from the left lane and complete the turn in the left most lane. Then you have to make lane changes right if you wanted to travel in the bike lane.That's actually not true in California. California vehicle code 22100(b) says:

Left Turns. The approach for a left turn shall be made as
close as practicable to the left-hand edge of the extreme left-hand
lane or portion of the roadway lawfully available to traffic moving
in the direction of travel of the vehicle and, when turning at an
intersection, the left turn shall not be made before entering the
intersection. After entering the intersection, the left turn shall
be made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available
to traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered,
except that upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic
moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway
accommodating traffic in both directions, the driver of a vehicle in
the middle lane may turn left into any lane lawfully available to
traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered. Which means left turns must be started from the left lane, but can be ended in any lane "lawfully available" to you. The question in the op is if it is lawful for the op to operate a bicycle in the far left lane prior to entering the left hand turn lane, and I would say that's fine. Definitely continue taking the green path, especially if it's only a 25mph zone.

I don't know your law, but I would suspect that you are in legal compliance by doing what you did. Most states have "ride to the right" laws that state you must stay "as far right as practicable (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/practicable)", but most also list exceptions to that, including preparing for a left turn. I think in that situation it makes sense that your staying on the left for the entire block is all part of preparing for the second left turn, and thereby protected by law. However, it's a more subtle argument than the there-and-back-again merge involving the bike lane, and one probably lost on most non-cyclists, who may think that you are supposed to use the bike lane just because it's there. (Which is probably not the case legally but how many of them know that?)

That's actually not true in California. California vehicle code 22100(b) says: ... Leave it to California to mess around with even a simple left turn. First they messed over pedestrians with the right turn on red, then they tell motorcyclist go ahead and spit lanes, and now the simple left turn.

I guess that is why insurance cost so much in California.

This is one reasons why bike lane in areas with intersections cause more confusion than help. Better to have an unstripped wide outside lane approaching locations where cyclist will be both turning and traveling thru.

Al

Guess what, the first left turn depicted by your blue line would be an improper (illegal) left turn. When turning left, vehicles must make the turn from the left lane and complete the turn in the left most lane.

Looks to me like that location has a dual left turn lane and the depicted blue path uses the outside left turn lane. That is legal.

99% of the time when someone feels it necessary to explain the "rules" to you, they are wrong.