[Diggy18]

If there's no separate left turn lane and no left turn signal either, will you guys act like a car and sit in the middle of road waiting for a chance to turn left. I'm nervous that the traffic behind me will not notice me in waiting there until it's too late.

So far in every other instance I feel OK taking the lane and acting like a car, but this one still has me nervous. What do you do?

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[operator]

I sit there with my left arm out signalling a left turn. If there's enough space let cars go by on the right. If not don't.

[supcom]

If your uncomfortable in the intersection then move to the right side of the lane and wait for an appropriate break in traffic then cross. If it's a real busy intersection you can always go straight through the intersection, stop, turn to face to the left and wait for the signal to proceed straight through again.

[John E]

It depends on the width of the road (wider is good for this maneuver) and the speed of the traffic (likewise, slower is good). If I feel the least bit uncomfortable or insecure about making a vehicular turn, I simply pull to the side of the road, stop, and wait for a break in traffic before crossing the street.

[Pat]

I see what you are talking about. Where I ride, this generally is not a problem. I can usually look up ahead and time my arrival at my left turn place for a break in the oncoming traffic and an ability to get over and make the turn. Of course, most of the roads around here have left turn lanes in any places where this is likely to be a problem and that reduces the problem.

It can be tough to get over on a somewhat busy 4 lane road with a median to make a left turn. The cars often ignore left turn signals and keep dashing by on the left. Of course, they do that to motorists too either for right or left turns around here. They see you put on your signal to change lanes and they accelerate to keep you from doing it. For this one, I wait until I am close to my left turn and move over in the break in the traffic and ride at the far left of the left lane until I reach my turn (this is legal in FL). It works much better then trying to make a fast left turn through 2 lanes of traffic from the right part of the right lane.

[John E]

... It can be tough to get over on a somewhat busy 4 lane road with a median to make a left turn. ... For this one, I wait until I am close to my left turn and move over in the break in the traffic and ride at the far left of the left lane until I reach my turn (this is legal in FL). It works much better then trying to make a fast left turn through 2 lanes of traffic from the right part of the right lane.

Agreed. I do much the same thing (in California), traffic permitting.

[Michel Gagnon]

It depends on the conditions, traffic speed and density, time of day...

In daytime, the centre line is actually a fairly safe place to wait while doing a left turn... providing you can reach it safely.

So if there is an opening in traffic or if the traffic is at a decent speed, I stick my hand out, look (or create) an opening, move left and either turn left or wait near the double line until I can turn left.

OTOH, at night, on avenues with reversing lanes... I generally prefer to do a 2-step left turn.

[AndrewP]

On my way home there is a place where I have to turn left over 4 lanes. I get into the middle when there is a break in the traffic going in my direction, about 200 yds before the turn. I then proceed down the middle of the road waiting for a break in the traffic in the other direction. When the break comes I cross over to the other sidewalk (usually pedestrian-free) and carry on to the intersection.

[LittleBigMan]

I look back and signal, and look back again. I don't make a move to the left until I'm sure there is a car allowing me to get in front of him/her.

I don't think I'd sit in the middle of the lane waiting to turn. I'd sit to the side of the lane so that a motorist who doesn't see me in time can steer around me if there is no time to brake (with cell phone users driving while talking, this might be a good idea.)

Overall, visibility is extremely important. That's why I like the idea of lights in the daytime.

[Diggy18]

LittleBigMan, what kind of lights do you use in the day?

[LittleBigMan]

I have a homebuilt system which uses an extremely bright yellow flasher on the rear, which will attract motorists' attention in the daytime. I also use a bright red tail light and a 20W halogen in the front. Daytime motorists see me much better when I'm approaching and when they are overtaking from behind. I feel especially safer under large overpasses. When you're sharing the road with larger, faster vehicles, it helps to be noticed as soon as possible, as far away as possible.

There are many products available which provide lighting powerful enough even for daytime use, but I made my own to save money. My system is much cheaper, but it's also much heavier than the store-bought varieties because of the battery I use. Which system you choose depends on which is more important to you, lightness or cash savings. If you want to learn more about homebuilt systems, you can start at the "Total Geekiness" thread in the "Commuting" forum.

:)