Originally Posted by
aERonAUtical96
So I've had this happen a couple times now so I'm curious what others do. Approaching a red light with cars and I am turning left. Normally I lane split to get to the front. I proceed on the green arrow. The cars across the intersection tend to "freeze" when they see me take off... they think I'm going straight even tho I'm in the left turn lane. If I notice them, I will give a signal that I'm going left.
My question/thought... do you head to the front of the line? Do you tuck in behind the first or 2nd car? Do you just get in position wherever it happens to be? I'm thinking of stopping myself from moving to the front of the line if I'm turning. By sitting behind a car or two, I guess I get a little protection and if I take off I can sit on their bumper until I get through the turn.
Opinions?
This is wrong. You need to be well aware of the entire intersection going in, ie before you get there, and conspicuously signal with your entire arm for everyone to see. I also filter to the front if I'm more than 2 cars back; when I get to the front I stick my lanky arm out to the left and repeat that again right before the light turns. Drivers will freak out if they don't know what you're doing, and the last thing you want is someone behaving erratically because they assume you are going to do something stupid.
Originally Posted by
rmfnla
I firmly believe in NOT taking place in line; always thought that's a good way to get rear-ended.
I go to the front on the right side of the left turn lane and wait slightly in front of the first car.
I also signal my intention to turn.
If the oncoming driver is too stupid to deal with that hopefully they will figure it out after I've made the turn and the world hasn't ended...
2 problems here:
1) you can't accelerate as fast as car can, which puts you in the middle of a traffic line with which you cannot keep pace. This is dangerous and pisses people off, leading to like aggressive/punish passing by dumbasses on their way to Starbucks. That is, unless you live in Oregon...nicest drivers I've ever encountered were in around Bend and also Coos Bay.
2) cycling in traffic on the hope that stupid drivers will just "figure it out" is asking for trouble. You should ride proactively and defensively.