Complex?? A-hem.

It is less about saving a few seconds and more about keeping moving... keeping the momentum going... and not sitting at the light inhaling tailpipe fumes.

And sure, Chris L., I wouldn't do this in heavy traffic where I would be dodging tons of cars to make the U. But in low-to-moderate conditions...

And I am suprized how many riders are saying they don't do things "because it is illegal". C'mon, I mean how often have you cut a corner through a parking lot, and jumped that quik curb to make that shortcut? Don't misunderstand, I am a very courteous and safe rider, and I have respect for everyone on the road. Hell, I even smile and wave.

One of the reasons I love commuting is the agility and freedom of the bike. Road laws were written for big, cumbersome, clunky cars, then they took those and said, "ok, this applies for bikes, too". Well, bikes fall into a much grayer area. We don't need laws telling us exactly how to behave on a road. Riding is much more organic, less structured, and hence, should be more unregulated.

Stop signs are a perfect example. I commute through a residential section that has a stop sign about every two blocks. At each intersection, I am very safe, I slow to a reasonable speed, look both ways, and cruise through. But I am not going to bring my bike to a complete stop every two-hundred meters. That would be silly.

As such, it is also silly to say that I wouldn't make a quick U-turn just because it is "illegal". If I am riding, and I want to turn around, and I think it to be safe, then dammit, I will turn around. Wouldn't you?