Originally Posted by
mr_pedro
Start looking for a spot to take the lane well in advance, stick your arm out and start riding there so you can end up on the bike lane to go straight. If you Re not comfortable dong this you can also wait on the sidewalk by the trafic light untill it turns red.
I'll also give the +1 to sticking your arm out to merge. One or two people might pass you, but the one who lets you in will not tailgate you through the whole intersection. When you stick your arm out, sit up and deliberately turn around to look at the people passing you - showing your face humanizes you and makes others less likely to deliberately try and blow past you.
Also, after I signal and someone lets me in, I always wave. It takes the edge off.
I've also heard it helps if you are a young, hot girl.