Originally Posted by
CB HI
When you put your hand out, hold it facing backwards in a semi-stop type signal and be assertive in moving into the lane. I have a merge that I have to do this on during my daily commute. It is rare that a motorist refuses to let me in (most often it is a cabbie or these odd trolley buses.
If you do need more of a gap, there is usually one motorist who is looking at their cell phone and slow to realize the light has turned green, leaving a pretty good gap.
CB HI, I think you are probably a bit more assertive/aggressive than I am personally comfortable with on my ride. I do have a forced merge on my commute and motorists typically do let me in there, but I find motorists less willing to make space when they see that cyclists have their own lane. Also, I will not try to merge if it depends on the motorist seeing me and having to slow down; by default I assume that drivers do not see me, and aren't paying attention. Essentially, every time we merge with car traffic we put ourselves at a bit more risk than we would otherwise. So, if I do pass a slower cyclist I'd prefer to only have to do it once.