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Originally Posted by
BCIpam
A car is required to use the "bike lane" to make a right turn if there are no bicyclist present (if the line is broken. If it remains solid a car cannot enter). Generally bicyclist will stay to the left of the bike lane so cars can right turn without obstruction. It's the polite thing to do. Also the safest. You don't want to force a car to turn right across the bike lane if you occupy it.
Close ... but actually, a driver of a motor vehicle is always required to merge into the bike lane before turning, regardless of dashing:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21717.htm
21717. Whenever it is necessary for the driver of a motor vehicle to cross a bicycle lane that is adjacent to his lane of travel to make a turn, the driver shall drive the motor vehicle into the bicycle lane prior to making the turn and shall make the turn pursuant to Section 22100.
And this says how far back the driver of the motor vehicle may do the merge:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21209.htm
21209. (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane established on a roadway pursuant to Section 21207 except as follows: ... (3) To prepare for a turn within a distance of 200 feet from the intersection.
There's other laws that prevent a driver from merging into the bike lane when there is a cyclist already there.
However, I've found that most drivers find it counter-intuitive to merge into the bike lane before turning, especially if the bike lane is narrower than a vehicle. For that reason, I may exercise the option to leave the bike lane per the 21208(a)(4) rather than being "right hooked".
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