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Left hand turns in the city of Riverside?

Old 06-15-09, 01:17 PM
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Left hand turns in the city of Riverside?

Hi --- found a bike this weekend! Woohoo! It's lovely, can't stop riding it around the mean streets of Riverside where I live. I knew this would be a challenging transition, getting used to riding in traffic.... Did OK my first few trips out.... at least Market street has a bike lane but.... left hand turns....

I'm a pansy, OK? I couldn't bring myself to make a left hand turn like a car would. Instead, I rode straight through the intersection in the cross walk (after the light turned green), then stopped on the other side, changed the direction of my bike 90 and rolled back so I wouldn't impede any cars making a right hand turn and rode across the intersection outside of the crosswalk so I could travel in the bike lane on the other side. Should I have walked my bike across the intersection and pressed the walk button as a pedestrian would, or do I ride across as a car would outside of the crosswalk?

What is the proper etiquette for this? What are the cycling laws for this?

I only feel confident taking a left hand turn from the left most lane on side streets ---- not sure when or IF this will change...

Thanks in advance for your advice,

A
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Old 06-15-09, 05:20 PM
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The legality of riding in a crosswalk in California is ambiguous, it could be argued either way. The only area where I've seen a police department take a strong position against it is in Berkeley, where they have reportedly ticketed cyclists who don't dismount in crosswalks. I did hear second hand that some police in another city didn't have a problem with riding in the crosswalk, but had a problem with changing direction 90 degrees in the middle of the intersection. As long as you do it safely, I don't think you'll have a problem with the law.
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Old 06-15-09, 05:32 PM
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I'm also from Riverside. I've never had a problem making left hand turns. Even downtown. If I catch rush hour traffic, then I filter through.
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Old 06-15-09, 08:25 PM
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I'm a wuss: I cross the street I'm on, then stop at the corner and wait for the light to change and cross.
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Old 06-15-09, 09:06 PM
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I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the riding. I have attached the following link that explains why it is a bad idea to use the crosswalk as you are doing. Please take a look at it. The bottom line is you need to gain some confidence in moving through and arround traffic. It may help to learn by riding with someone that is comfortable and experienced in doing so. It is as much attitude as skill. You need to believe you belong there. Also don't be afraid to direct motorists as to what they should be doing with simple hand signals. Of course you also need to be responsible and signal to them your intentions.

https://commutebybike.com/2008/03/18/...why-its-safer/
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Old 06-15-09, 11:26 PM
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I look at it this way. Once you have crossed the street and turned your bike, you are part of the vehicle traffic going left. So you don't need to walk your bike across. As far as positioning, you want to end up in the roadway, not the sidewalk. So the best place to ride is usually to the left of the crosswalk. That also avoids any concerns about whether it is legal to ride in the crosswalk, and minimizes close encounters with pedestrians.
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Old 06-17-09, 10:25 PM
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By the way, if you want to learn about left turns, this may help:

https://www.bicyclinglife.com/SafetyS...nkNFred004.htm

I would add that the first thing you should do is practice looking back over your shoulder while continuing to ride in a straight line.
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Old 06-19-09, 11:27 PM
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I live in Redlands, and have also just returned to cycling. About 12 years ago I commuted in Riverside and came to believe the city had "Mood swings". Some days were wonderful rides, other nightmares. It usually made it's mood clear in the first ten minutes of a ride....

...that said, I took pains to find rides avoiding the main roads if at all possible. I came to love the city much better this way, seeing all it's charms, rather than the mundane main roads.

Safety also depends on confidence. Make the turns when you feel safe, and as your "Seat Time" builds up so will your confidence...making turns like this safer.

So you are both back on a bike and back in school? Right on! Me too!
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Old 06-20-09, 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by mijome07
I'm also from Riverside. I've never had a problem making left hand turns. Even downtown. If I catch rush hour traffic, then I filter through.
Hallo mijome! You've probably been riding long enough to have more confidence than I do at this point.... It's been many winters since I was on a bicycle, and even during my halycon days of youth, never rode in traffic... Took left hand turns on suburban and rural intersections without a care in the world... Older, no longer so invincible, and in the city is another story....

Originally Posted by Condorita
I'm a wuss: I cross the street I'm on, then stop at the corner and wait for the light to change and cross.
Hi Condorita, glad to know I'm not the only one.... --- on slow streets, I don't have too many issues with this.... but when I rode to Trader Joe's... was too skeered to make a left from Market onto Merrill and instead crossed as I posted in the OP.... although..... this time I did NOT cross in the crosswalk, thanks to advice in this thread. Stayed to the left of the crosswalk.
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Old 06-20-09, 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeff262
I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the riding. I have attached the following link that explains why it is a bad idea to use the crosswalk as you are doing. Please take a look at it. The bottom line is you need to gain some confidence in moving through and arround traffic. It may help to learn by riding with someone that is comfortable and experienced in doing so. It is as much attitude as skill. You need to believe you belong there. Also don't be afraid to direct motorists as to what they should be doing with simple hand signals. Of course you also need to be responsible and signal to them your intentions.

https://commutebybike.com/2008/03/18/...why-its-safer/
Hi Jeff, thanks for the link! Wow..... A lot to absorb there ----- good news, I AM staying out of crosswalks --- on smaller side streets I'm not afraid to take up the middle of the road to avoid door jam.... OTOH, cars traveling these smaller side streets are going less than 25 MPH so I feel a lot less vulnerable because I know I have time to maneuver.

I see your point about riding on the extreme right... noticed this as I was traveling down Market street in the bike lane.... about 50 feet in front of me, a small branch was blocking the bike lane.... beginning of rush hour, too many cars at that time so I couldn't skip out of the bike lane into the regular lane to avoid it... instead had to slow waaaaayyyyy down to inch over to the left most portion of the bike lane and evade the branch by about an inch.

BTW..... If there IS a bike lane, however, don't we HAVE to use it?

re: Your link...... making a statement. I'm rather ambivalent about this.... I can understand the need for advocacy, but at this point in my bicycling adventures, I'm more interested in self-preservation than I am in making any statements... Perhaps I can do both in time....
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Old 06-20-09, 10:47 AM
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Hallo tom ---- read your link... I actually contemplated making 3 right turns to avoid the dreaded left turn....but opted for the pedestrian method instead.... BTW, think I heard something to the effect that UPS drivers never make left hand turns; instead their routes are designed for right turns only?

RE: your advice about practicing to look over my left shoulder while keeping a straight line? Priceless! Thank you thank you thank you, this is the kinda stuff a new chick on a bike needs to learn....

On a SLOW side roads, I tried this..... and felt myself wobble a bit.... then consciously kept shoulders and arms straight.... a little better, not wobbly but I still inevitably shift towards the left. I'll keep practicing this... For some reason, it's much easier to look over my RIGHT shoulder without straying from a straight line... Is this because I'm right handed?

Originally Posted by tombunn
By the way, if you want to learn about left turns, this may help:

https://www.bicyclinglife.com/SafetyS...nkNFred004.htm

I would add that the first thing you should do is practice looking back over your shoulder while continuing to ride in a straight line.
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Old 06-20-09, 11:09 AM
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Hi Aerobatic! Redlands is a lovely city.... especially around downtown, all those beautiful homes... My mom lives in Redlands, so I make my way over there several times a month. Ooh, you just returned to cycling again too? It's kinda like being a kid again, isn't it? Maybe not quite as carefree, but it brings back a lot of great memories....

I've only been riding one short week..... finding that in some cases the smaller side streets are so much more fun.... because I can look around me rather than stare at the surface of pavement. At times, side streets may be safer and at times they may not..... as you and others have wisely said, experience will rebuild confidence...

Need to spend time in a beautiful place today, so I'm heading to the Hidden Valley Nature park. Just called and confirmed they allow bikes on the trails... LOL.... at least I won't have to worry about any traffic there, I can slow down, stop and look at the birds.

Have a great weekend all and thanks so much for chiming in!

Originally Posted by AerobaticDreams
I live in Redlands, and have also just returned to cycling. About 12 years ago I commuted in Riverside and came to believe the city had "Mood swings". Some days were wonderful rides, other nightmares. It usually made it's mood clear in the first ten minutes of a ride....

...that said, I took pains to find rides avoiding the main roads if at all possible. I came to love the city much better this way, seeing all it's charms, rather than the mundane main roads.

Safety also depends on confidence. Make the turns when you feel safe, and as your "Seat Time" builds up so will your confidence...making turns like this safer.

So you are both back on a bike and back in school? Right on! Me too!
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Old 06-20-09, 02:16 PM
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Hidden Valley Nature Park

Need to spend time in a beautiful place today, so I'm heading to the Hidden Valley Nature park. Just called and confirmed they allow bikes on the trails...

Hi Artemis!

I'm also a Townie rider in Riverside (primarily a bike commuter). I was wondering were riders can enter Hidden Valley. I know it is part of the Santa Ana trail, but I'm not sure where to get on the trail from where I live (La Sierra). I normally park at RCC and get on the trail at Mt. Rubidoux, which is too far from Hidden Valley for me (I've made it as far as Van Buren from Mt. Rub). Hope you had a good ride today :-D

Cheryl
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Old 06-22-09, 07:33 PM
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I personally find it easier to look over the left shoulder, maybe because I do it much more often. The nice thing about practicing it is that you will gain confidence as well as skill. The other thing that has helped me is to realize that you don't have to wait until the last minute to change lanes - it's okay to go when it's clear and then have a car follow you for a while, as long as you make your intentions known. The car won't run you down from behind. And the best feeling of all is when you learn how to recognize that a car is yielding to you in response to your signal.

Good luck!
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Old 06-25-09, 10:01 AM
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Please don't force a newbie into the traffic lanes. There is nothing wrong with building up confidence by playing it as safe as a pedestrian. No need to toss him to the sharks and possibly get seriously injured in the process. It is a skill that has to be honed to be confident on the bike, balancing well, situationally alert, and able to stop and start safely.

Take it a step at a time, you'll get better and safer the more you practice. Get out there and have fun. Hit the Santa Ana River trail for easy long rides that will build your fitness and confidence.
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Old 06-25-09, 11:09 AM
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Practice street riding in a group!
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Old 06-25-09, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by cherylstiches
Need to spend time in a beautiful place today, so I'm heading to the Hidden Valley Nature park. Just called and confirmed they allow bikes on the trails...

Hi Artemis!

I'm also a Townie rider in Riverside (primarily a bike commuter). I was wondering were riders can enter Hidden Valley. I know it is part of the Santa Ana trail, but I'm not sure where to get on the trail from where I live (La Sierra). I normally park at RCC and get on the trail at Mt. Rubidoux, which is too far from Hidden Valley for me (I've made it as far as Van Buren from Mt. Rub). Hope you had a good ride today :-D

Cheryl
Hidden Valley is about another two miles from Van Buren.

One option is to park at Anza Narrows Park off Jurupa. You rode through there apparently: it's between Mt. R & VB.

Also, you could park at Hidden Valley, which is off Arlington. There is a small stretch of it that is not paved, but it's a quick up and down and then you're right back on asphalt.

Another option is to use Tyler Street. I have seen people park at the end of Tyler and hop on the trail there --- it basically is Hidden Valley at that point.
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Old 06-25-09, 12:05 PM
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And Artemis: keep doing what you're doing. Like thenomad said, your confidence will build up in no time. And have you looked into the Cycledelics yet? Check out their ride on the first Friday of every month. You'll find lots of kindred spirits.
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Old 06-26-09, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Brian Sorrell
Hidden Valley is about another two miles from Van Buren.

One option is to park at Anza Narrows Park off Jurupa. You rode through there apparently: it's between Mt. R & VB.

Also, you could park at Hidden Valley, which is off Arlington. There is a small stretch of it that is not paved, but it's a quick up and down and then you're right back on asphalt.

Another option is to use Tyler Street. I have seen people park at the end of Tyler and hop on the trail there --- it basically is Hidden Valley at that point.
Brilliant! Thanks for the help
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Old 06-26-09, 11:48 PM
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nice. i go to UCR and i just finished restoring a 71 schwinn 5 speed. Its a fatty but it looks so damn good haha. looking forward to riding around here as well.
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Old 07-17-09, 04:10 PM
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@ Brian --- may join the next Cycledelics ride when I get some lights!
@ nomad and everyone else.... I combine side streets with arterial streets, depending upon how much of a hurry I'm in, how hot it is, etc. etc.... If a bike lane is available on an arterial street, I'll use that... If no bike lane, I've come to prefer the side streets although they're not always the safest.

At times --- gulp ---- pre-emptively ducking in case anyone's tempted to throw something at me for this, I ride on sidewalks when the road is too narrow, cars diagonally parked on the street, no bike lane is available and cars move too fast.

I'd rather get a ticket for riding on the sidewalk than be road kill.

cherylstiches, sorry I missed your post I don't come on these boards that often but I see you already got an answer.

For my part, not until AFTER I went to Hidden Valley and wound up on some horse trails, did I realize I already have very close access to the Santa Ana River trail... I live very close to Fairmount Park..... been enjoying that very much, once the temps climb down... best of all, no cars and lots of trees.

Have a great weekend, all!

Last edited by Artemis; 07-17-09 at 04:13 PM.
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