No one carries the DogBoy
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Upper Midwest USA
Posts: 2,320
Bikes: Roubaix Expert Di2, Jamis Renegade, Surly Disc Trucker, Cervelo P2, CoMotion Tandem
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
I have to cross 3 lanes of moderate 35 mph (meaning driving at 40-45mph) traffic to turn left into work. I start about 1/4 mile away from the intersection by taking the right-most lane. I signal a left turn and keep looking back until someone yields. Someone always yields or there is a break in traffic. I then take the middle lane and signial a left turn...again, wait for someone to yield or a break in traffic. I then take the left lane, signaling the left turn. Often traffic backs up a bit for the turn. I have yet to be honked at during this manuver.
On the way home, I have to ride in the middle lane for a short distance because the right lane becomes an on-ramp to a freeway. For this I start by taking the right lane, signal and move to the middle lane, then I take the middle lane for about 200 yards before the right lane peels off, and then I move to the right side of the now rightmost lane. I often get honks during this manuver because drivers want to pass a bunch of cars in the right lane by swooping in after shooting up the middle lane. My bike prevents this and they get mad at me, but I've yet to have anyone try to hit me, just honk/yell. The tendancy of drivers to try this is why I ride in the middle of the lane. I'm afraid that if I rode on the right side of the middle lane I'd get "merged" into the road by an impatient driver.
It takes some time to get used to the idea that you are a vehicle and you have a right to change lanes/be on the road. Drivers, like dogs, can sense fear. If you are tentative or show fear they will NOT yield to you. If you are assertive (but not stupidly so) there are enough drivers out there that are polite and will let you in.
Happy trails!