Originally Posted by
ognistik
. . .I understand bicycles should ride on the right side of the street, close to the sidewalk; however, here we have "turn-right-only" lanes for cars. If I stay all the way to the right of the street, I will eventually end up in a turn-right-only lane. Should I move to the middle lane if I intend to keep going straight? or should I take the turn-right-only lane and keep going straight (after making a stop, of course)???
Your first statement is a
misunderstanding. The laws in most states say something like "as far to the right as practical and safe". This does
not mean as far to the right as you possibly can ride. Riding all the way to the right has several real hazards.
When passing parked cars, stay far enough to the left to avoid the "door zone".
Do not weave from the edge of parked cars to the gutter zone, in between parked cars. Maintain a line just outside the "Door Zone", even when there are gaps between parked cars.
When coming to an stop light, I always stay far enough to the left to allow cars to turn right inside of me. If a car passes and signals to turn right in front of me, I signal, and move left. I recently did this where the car passing was an Irvine CA P.D. patrol car. The cop driving gave a wave of acknowledgment.