I've done a couple of test runs for my new commute and I have a question about left turn safety on a busy, four lane roadway.

The issue arises on my ride home. After moving through a major intersection on the green light, I need to make a left turn onto a residential street about 200 yards past the intersection. The only way for me to safely approach this left turn is, it seems, to make sure I'm in the left lane while waiting at the light at the intersection.

The safety concern arises when I need to come to a full stop before making the left due to oncoming traffic. In this case, I've got left lane drivers coming up fast behind me after they've shot through the intersection.

Any tips on how to execute this safely? The reason I'm making the left is to access the bike path, which enables me to avoid the treacherous hill on the four-lane roadway in question.

A safer option for me would be to use the crosswalk at the aforementioned intersection. I could ride across on the "Walk" signal and then ride the sidewalk until I hit the bike path. I guess the only reason I haven't tried this option is because it takes more time to wait on the crossing signals. However, if the left turn from the roadway is inherently unsafe, I'll use the crosswalk.

The main reason I ask this question is that it would seem to apply to many left turn-from-roadway situations that I might encounter during other, non-commuting rides.

Thanks,

------> SliverStreak