Originally Posted by
caloso
On left turns, the closer you can match the speed of motor traffic, the easier it will be. If the fastest you can go is 20 and the cars are going 45, forget it: you're better off using the cross walk. But if you can go 25 and the cars are going 30, it can be done: ramp up speed, look back and find a gap, put out your left hand and slot in. Take the left like you're driving a car.
+1 on this. I tend to take the outside lane, so that I can easily go wide if for some reason my pedal doesn't engage, or if cars don't hold their line. Another thing I do, that works for some, is I try to get the attention of drivers by assertively signaling my moves. Don't use the signals in the DMV handbook, most drivers forgot them two seconds after reading that part of the handbook. I just use my left arm for a left turn, right arm for a right turn; fully extended. If I see someone on a side street that might pull out suddenly, I wave and make eye contact. Also, if you anticipate your turns early, you can move part way into the road, kind of in the way. It will help to make your presence known... Most people have blinders on when they drive, if you get into their field of view early, they will be forced to acknowledge your presence, (read: slow down)
before you "jump out" at them.