Commuting - What Would You Do? Route Role-Play.

I've been travelling the same route since I started my commute here in Harrisburg but at certain points I often wonder if the tactic I take is appropriate, or if others would do it differently. Case in Point:

Just after crossing the Susquehanna the traffic bottlenecks up a long incline that is two lanes, with no shoulder. During the home rush the left turn lane (that I would take if in a car) is backed up all the way to the river sometimes (150-200 yards at least and requiring waiting through 5-6 light changes). The right lane moves quicker (1-2 light changes) but too fast for me to flow with especially since it is uphill. So I ride the sidewalk (no businesses here as it is bordered by a steep wooded incline, and gets minimal ped use) as opposed to sitting in the left lane, or being squeezed in the right lane to the edge. Then when I get up to the intersection where I would turn left if in the left turn lane, I cross the crosswalk and situate myself at the front of the intersecting traffic line (at the crosswalk next to the car first in line, as the road widens past the light and I have no ned to hold anyone up here).

This sound reasonable to y'all?

That's a fine solution. In similar situations, I have ridden between the lanes when the through lane is stopped for the light and situated myself between the through lane and the left turn lane at the front of the line. When the light changes, blast across with the first left turning car.

I do a simalar thing on my commute where istead of fighting 3 lanes of traffic I use a little used section of sidewalk to get by traffic and get me pointed in the right direction. It seems to me to be a much safer alternitive.

Sounds good to me. I do a similar move. We are not cars and have to make creative use of our circumstances to remain safe and get the most out of our efforts.
you love riding by all those cars and pulling up to the front of line dont you? I do.

I try to wait my turn in traffic queues when practicable, but sometimes the lines are so ridiculously long that I go ahead and move past. Even so, my rule of thumb is to safely merge with traffic at some point before passing through the intersection. This does not mean you have to ride in the center of the lane, but it does mean commanding a space in the queue. This prevents being squeezed or cut off.

If you don't feel confident merging with traffic for a left turn, you can break it down into two steps: 1) cross the intersection as a pedestrian (walking your bike) and 2) wait for cross traffic to get a green light and cross again as a pedestrian.

That's a fine solution. In similar situations, I have ridden between the lanes when the through lane is stopped for the light and situated myself between the through lane and the left turn lane at the front of the line. When the light changes, blast across with the first left turning car.

I lane-split all the time in traffic, I find it surprisingly safe and it seems to upset fewer motorists than just about anything else you can do on a bike.

If there is any provision for pedestrian cross walks at the intersection the solution is simple. Ride your bike on the right side of the street to the intersection, or through the intersection if you make the light. Get off of your bike and you now are a pedestrian by law. Push your bike taking advantage of the pedestrian cross walks to the far sid of the intersection. At that point the lights are behind you. Remount and you are now a bicyclist and pedal on your way. I don't think you will make any motorists angry as long as you cross with the lights in your favor.

If there is any provision for pedestrian cross walks at the intersection the solution is simple. Ride your bike on the right side of the street to the intersection, or through the intersection if you make the light. Get off of your bike and you now are a pedestrian by law. Push your bike taking advantage of the pedestrian cross walks to the far sid of the intersection. At that point the lights are behind you.

The only trouble with this is that if I have to get anywhere by a certain time (say, needing to be at work by 8am), I'm simply not going to make it if I get off and walk.

Lane splitting, motorcycles have done it for years, however for them at least it is not legal in all states. Might be good to find out the rules first?

Any cage jockey that complains just tell them iff they can pick up their vehicle they be a pedestrian too!

yep, sounds fine to me, i have to perform a similar act here on the way home from work. I do try to wait in line with cars on other occasions.

The only trouble with this is that if I have to get anywhere by a certain time (say, needing to be at work by 8am), I'm simply not going to make it if I get off and walk.

Leave a few minutes earlier. ;)