Commuting - 4 Way Stop with Bike Lane...

You are riding in the bike lane and there's a 4 way stop sign up ahead. The SUV and you pull up to the stop sign at the same time as 3 other cars (each at the respecitive stop sign). Everybody takes a turn and now it's the SUV's turn and your turn.

How do you navigate the intersection?

I generally ensure that I don't get there at the same time. That way the order is established, and if I'm going first, I make sure to check to see if the driver is paying attention or what. If in doubt, I wave them forward and follow.

I'd approach it the same way as I do in my car. If someone else technically has the right to go before I do, I give them at max 2 seconds to assert that right and if they don't do so, they just lost their turn 'cause I'll be going.

Other.
1. Monitor traffic behind me as I approach the intersection.
2. Decide if I want to be in front of, or behind the SUV and then make it so.
3. Move into the main traffic lane before the intersection.
4. Take my turn like everybody else.

Go.
(when I know I won't get hit)
Usually won't even stop unless it is necessary.
Grow them urban cyclist eyes on the sides and back of your head.

I ignore bike lanes.
I take control at 4 way and 3 ways stops.
That means I go when the other vehicles are slow or indecisive.
Ride safe.

I'm assuming you mean that you and the suv arrive at the same time, in the same lane (suv next to you).
No matter what kind of stop sign it is, i go through WITH the car next me or slightly behind the car to make absolutely sure he doesn't try to turn right and is really going straight. But I find out it works out best for everybody if I go through the stop sign at the same time as the car. This is definitely better than sprinting out ahead of him and making him have to pass me again, and it's better than making the cars behind me wait through another cycle. Going through the stop sign WITH the suv is harmless to everyone.
Now if I got there FIRST, i take the lane and make the car behind wait as I go through the stop when it's my turn to go.

4-way stops are a good reason not to have bike lanes.

4-way stops suck, especially when on a bike. They should all be replaced by roundabouts (or rotaries as some of you Americans like to call them). Priority is much more easily established on a roundabout (anything already on the roundabout has it) and traffic flows better. Why North America has been so against the idea for so long really baffles me.

I take the lane when approaching a stop sign. That insures me I get my turn and I don't have some car pull up next to me making a right turn while I'm going straight/left.

And I agree about the roundabouts; much better than 4way stops. We had a few 4 ways converted to roundabouts and more to be built, but for some reason they all got cancelled...?

You have a bike lane. It's separate and parallel lane, so you go when the vehicle next to you goes.

what if there's a long backup of cars already at the stop, kids? say, a block plus long? I see it every day....

going to wait 5 minutes sucking exhaust, standing on the ground, walking your bike forward behind some gas guzzler just so you can 'take the lane?'

:roflmao: "i ignore bike lanes" :roflmao:

how to navigate the intersection, VR?

use the SUV to block while you simultaneously take the intersection. like cast iron posts above, its a separate and parallel lane.

I've got a few of those, too.

I ride just to the rear quarter or the side of the SUV after making sure they're not turning right. I treat them like a blocker, kind of like me being a remora to their shark.

The question of whether they turn right or not is pretty easy, actually. If I arrive at the intersection first, they wait behind me, especially since they usually cross into the bike lane prior to turning. If they arrive first, I stay to the side just behind their rear bumper and watch their front wheel (not all of them use their turn signals, of course).

I take the lane behind the SUV.

It all depends on what my next move is. There are too many variables to answer the poll question.

Does the SUV have a signal indicating a turn?
Am I riding straight through, or taking a turn?
Other traffic in the area- behind me?
How visible are the other 3 parts of the intersection so I'll see the teenager texting as they roll through the stop sign.

Every intersection is a "in the moment" decision methinks...

If the bike lane continues on the other side of the intersection and you're already in it, stay in the bike lane and follow the SUV across as it goes - far enough behind to avoid a right hook, but at the same time as him.

If the bike lane ends or you don't know if it continues, take the lane either in front or behind of the SUV.

It all depends on what my next move is. There are too many variables to answer the poll question.

Hmm, ok --

- Does the SUV have a signal indicating a turn?
If yes, then it's whoever got there first goes through first.

- Am I riding straight through, or taking a turn?
If straight, I go alongside; if I'm turning left, I'll either take the lane or cross to the left side of the traffic lane beforehand. If I'm turning right, there's no issue.

- Other traffic in the area- behind me?
They're behind and aren't going through at the same time as I am. No issue.

- How visible are the other 3 parts of the intersection so I'll see the teenager texting as they roll through the stop sign.
First I look all the way down each direction, and if there's a car coming, I watch for signs of braking (slowing wheels, slightly dipping front bumper, etc). I don't proceed unless I know that I can get past in the time it'll take for the other car to arrive at the intersection.


Every intersection is a "in the moment" decision methinks...

Pretty much, yeah, although regular procedures help me reduce the WTF? moments.

Every situation is different - including who the driver is and how they are driving. I would "THINK" you would wait for the SUV to go and then follow close behind taking your turn with his.

This is the way I handle most intersections anyway.

Interesting question!

I assume this SUV is alongside me. Depends on if he's turning. If he has a right turn signal on, I'll try to get in front of him. If not, I'll keep an eye on him to make sure he's not trying a stealth right hook, and if so I'll hold back and let him go. Otherwise I go at the same time, it's the same thing as if there were two lanes of car traffic.

For me, there are two things that need answered before I could say what I would do. First, does the bike lane continue all the way to the restraining line of the intersections? Second, what is the SUV doing (going straight, turning, and which way)?

If the bike lane goes all the way to the restraining line, then I go up to it, and it's my turn at the same time as the SUV. This assumes the SUV is going straight or turning left and I am going straight. If the bike lane ends prior to the restraining line, then I would duck in behind the SUV.

I never trust SUV drivers when I'm on my bike.

From the way the poll options are phased, I'll assume that the OP means you and the SUV are parrallel and traveling in the same direction.

The thing to remember is that the SUV may block your vision on the left side. I won't proceed unless I can see how traffic is moving and not presume that the SUV is crossing the intersection safely.

It's effectively two lanes, so I go beside the SUV, unless they are turning right.

4-way stops are a good reason not to have bike lanes.

...at 4-way stops. The bike lane should disappear before the 4-way stop and reappear after.

I always mesh in with traffic at intersections even if there is a bike lane. I feel safer doing that. I know that I won't be hooked too or having a car not seeing me behind someone and turning into me. Plus, normally I go through just as fast as any car. If it is a red stoplight with a bike lane I go up to the front and mesh in behind the 1st car in line. To me at stops a bike has the same rights as a Car or motorcycle.

I like to use other cars at an intersection as barriers. Others may not notice my bike, but they will notice the SUV. This is my plan for busy intersections. At less busy intersections I take the lane as if I were a car.

Weird. I can't actually think of any roads with bike lanes that have 4 way stops. Any road big enough to get a bike lane, has traffic lights. If it is small enough to just have stop signs, the traffic is low enough to ride in traffic.

That said, I would probably do what I do at traffic lights - make sure the car next to me isn't wanting to turn and then go when he goes.

If I am sure the driver has seen me... (we've waved, exchanged glances, smiled, or said hello) I will ride parallel with the SUV across the street.

I am not sure I've been seen, and I am ready (been track standing), I'll sprint ahead... this ensures that they cannot right hook me, and I am visible to all other traffic.

If I am arriving late, or there is any question in my mind of the driver's intent... I'll ride behind, at their left quarter well out in the lane... to avoid right hooks, give me lots of maneuvering room, and make myself visible to any other traffic (especially anyone about to turn left) .

I slow down and let the other cars go. I try not to stop completely because I hate unclipping, and I roll through at walking speed.