There are several ways to properly make a left turn. The first, and scariest, is to do it just like a car. Get into the left turn lane and either when traffic is clear or you get the green arrow (depending on the type of control) complete your turn. This is what I usually do even on busy streets. (Hint, if you're in a traffic lane with cars, make sure you have lots of light that is visible day and night.)
The second is to follow the right lane until you get to the far corner the intersection, then stop, dismount and cross as a pedestrian. The third way is similar, except you stop as a pedestrian at the near corner and proceed as a pedestrian across both streets.
In the end, do whatever feels safest to you. If you're not used to it, the first method is scary, but with experience you get more confident in situations like that.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by
bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."