guitarguy

Ok, dumb newbie question, I got my first horn blow today--after 2 months of riding. I admit it, i lost it on the person. But i though i always made my intentions clear while cycling. My guess is she hadnt seen my previous hand signal thus had no clue, probably due to coming up on me after i already put my arm down--or talking on the cell phone & thinking she owned the road--she would have right hooked me if she hadnt beeped at me thus alerting me. Here complaint was i was taking up both lanes, (hard to believe a bike could be that wide), thus she didnt know where i was going.

Anyhow, here is a pic of the intersection, the red line is me. I have this intersection both ways commuting and another similar on the way home. I basically ride the white line (lane splitting), my thought is, if i was going to turn right, id be on the far right, but im going straight.



So should i take the lane and slow all the traffic up while clearing the intersection, or ride the line like i have been so cars are free to pass on either side of me if i cant keep up on a green light?

JeffS

Was she trying to turn right from the straight-through lane? Just wondering how she would have right-hooked you.

I would have some something similar, though I'd have been some distance to the left of the white line approaching the intersection. Probably a foot or so, but that varies by the intersection.

swduncan

When I come to those kinds of intersections, and it's a red light, I avoid taking the right lane. I get annoyed when I can't right on red because someone's in front of me waiting to go straight, so why should I annoy other people? I don't stay to the right of the right lane, because I'm not turning, I'm going straight.

So I take the lane 2nd from right (right in the center of it), and head for the curb lane on the other side of the intersection.

The downside is that if I get someone to the right of me who's going straight, well, then it can get to be slow for the person behind me until I move over.

I wouldn't split a lane, ever, for one simple reason: It's behavior that people just don't understand. They don't know where you're going, or when, so they get frustrated, which is dangerous. Drivers can take fast traffic and they can take slow traffic, but what drives them nuts is someone who's impeding them AND being unpredictable. If they know what to expect (i.e. it's obvious that once you clear the intersection you'll be out of the way) they are pretty patient, in my humble experience.

Now for the disclaimer - I ride in Milwaukee, WI, and I generally avoid the biggest arteries & rush hour.

one_beatnik

Yeah, riding on the line between lanes is going to confuse everyone. Take the lane and if you're going straight, use the center lane in this situation. Since the right is a right turn only lane stay out of it unless you're going to turn right. Then ride aware

guitarguy

Yes, she was in the strait lane which then opens up to the right turn lane. She should have/could have just got into the right lane from behind me--plenty of room by that point that she beeped. Thus far, anyone else has waited for me to clear the right turn lane rather than go around in front of me.

I feel in my opinion, the lanes dont offer enough room to stay to the left of the white line and still allow traffic to pass me. There is however enough room right between the two lanes---down the line.

I guess i can try to stay ever so slightly left of the white line in the future, but if that light is already green, people are doing 30-40mph by the time they pass me.

huhenio

Let it rip ... verbal assault vs. vehicular assault + witnesses = new house for you

guitarguy

While i did loose it on the woman, i dont want to confuse or tick off anyone, i just want to commute and ride. I think the rules of bikes on the road have changed so drastically over the years and from state to state and municipality to municipality, that no one really knows what is right and wrong anymore--including those who enforce the laws.

I will do my best to stay more in the striaght lane in the future--provided i dont get honked at more and/or run over

lil brown bat

Depends on your location -- that's really not true everywhere. I think in many cities it's common behavior and drivers know what to expect.

DataJunkie

The op was in the correct lane. Just move over a bit to the right.

maddyfish

Be in the lane that you are going to use, especially at intersections. If oyu are going straight, then be in the lane. Clearly in the lane, not on the line. If you are turning, be in the turn lane, and don't leave enough room for somebody to try to turn inthe lane with you.

Rendered

I take the lane at intersections and it makes me feel much safer. Hopefully, it makes it easier for people to anticipate my intentions as I try to ride like a car as much as possible. Once I clear an intersection, I then move over to the right incase people want to pass me.

I get honked at quite a bit - I'm learning to ignore it but it does get the middle finger up ocassionally (though I'm getting better!)

Hot Potato

I wave (with all five fingers) when I am honked at. I just love it when drivers express their enthusiasm for cycling with a friendly toot.

JustBrowsing

That's generally the safest bet. Make your intentions totally transparent to everyone. And if someone behind you gets pissed off cos you're taking up 4 feet of space that a car could take up, screw em. Would they be pissed off if a motorcycle was there in your place? And besides, you can pretty much accelerate as fast as a car and you'll be out of their way by the other side of the intersection....

HeIncreasesMe

Others have said it, but I will say it again.

When, you are coming to an intersection like that (meaning the right lane is forced to turn right) and the light is still green and you can take the line...TAKE THE LANE. I understand why the driver would be confused about where you are going since she probably doesn't ride a bike. Remember most folk are bike ignorant.

If you are coming to the light and it is red. TAKE THE LANE. Just do it always in these cases of the right lane being forced to turn right. Who cares if you slow folks down. Once it is green cross the intersection and take your rightful place on the right.

deez

If it were I, I'd be a foot to the left of where the OP was in the center lane. But thats just from looking at the diagram. In real life the intersection could be pretty different.

mobilechimp

This is the situation where you have to be assertive and take the lane, even if the light is green. Don't be concerned with their ability to get around you, be concerned with your ability to be safe and crystal clear on what you intend to do. They'll get over it.

10 Wheels

Take The Lane wehn you can Always.

genec

By riding the white line you are inviting cars to pass you... and putting yourself in a position to be overlooked.

As you approach that intersection, I would move to ride in the right tire track of the straight through lane... by doing that you make your intentions clear (right turn or straight... it becomes obvious as you are in the straight through lane), and you put yourself in a position to be easily seen by traffic.

You basically have the right idea, but move a bit more to the left to remove the ambiguity... after you cross the intersection, you can move further to the right if there is space to do so... but stay out of the gutter.

Don't worry about "slowing all the traffic," believe me, other cars will effect "the traffic" far more than you will. And remember, you too are "traffic."

genec

You mean a bit to the left, eh DJ? "more to the right" would be the right only turn lane.

ItsJustMe

That's pretty much the textbook definition of when you take the lane. If it's not safe to be side-by-side in the lane, then you move left until it's not POSSIBLE for someone to be next to you in the lane, and move back right when it's safe again.

You're not required to compromise your safety for the momentary convenience of others. Drivers who think differently are wrong.