To get back to the point, I think I would agree with the OP on this one, due to the possibility of cars being staggered anywhere in the width of the road if there were no line of any kind. As to the turn, I can't tell what kind of signage there is, but something like "Right turn yield to bike" or "Watch for bikes" might help.

I'm sorry to hear about your aquaintence, HH, but following advice you have pointed out elsewhere on these boards (and with which I agree), I wonder if he could have avoided the accident by checking what was going on behind him, and if clear, moving out into the travel lane to go continue straight through the intersection. And as you also point out, and with which I also agree, I'm not saying he deserved to be hit or that he was legally at fault, but could he have avoided the "accident" had he done these things?

But I'm obviously glad he's okay, which I am assuming since he was released from the hospital after a week. I hope he's back in the saddle, or will be soon.