trekcyclist1000

...just another driver trying to ram us off the road?
I went out for a ride today and came to a T intersection. I was heading down what would be the long part of the "T" and decided to turn left. I looked over my shoulder and saw a car coming about 35 yards away and knew I was in the right spot (on the far right of the left hand turning lane) As I peddled on the light turned yellow and I kept going but the car that was 35 yds away was now about 5. They had more than enough room to pass me (the car being a small toyota) but instead they honked at me. Was I at fault? Id really like to know so in the future I dont get myself or anyone hurt =) !

barenakedbiker

Ask yourself this question: If you made the same exact move while driving a car, would you be at fault?

JohnBrooking

I don't quite understand the entire situation. The car was coming up behind you, in the same lane, yes? Did the light turn yellow before you reached the intersection and you rode through it? Or you stopped for it and the car honked because they wanted to go through it but didn't think they could because you were there?

Anyway, I can't see that you did anything wrong just from what you've said so far.

LittleBigMan

He honked because he thought he could have made the light if you hadn't been there.

It wasn't your fault.

77Univega

"...they honked at me."


-- Let it go Trek. Sometimes people honk just because it is so easy to honk the horn. I bet you that the driver has long since forgotten the incident and would be surprised that you still remember it.

eubi

It sounds to me like you were totally in the right. Cager most likely didn't know cyclists were allowed to ride this way.

It's very good to question yourself though. Keep it up.

ofofhy

Did you signal?

Dchiefransom

I'm surprised all you guys missed this one, this time. He was on the far right of the left hand turning lane, and thought the car should have been able to pass him on his left. Maybe if he'd swung wide in the intersection during his turn, but getting up to the light it sounds like he should have taken more of the lane, so the car couldn't squeeze him out. Not taking enough of the lane in the left turn lane could possibly leave him squeezed in between two lanes of moving traffic.
Trek, if people honk at you, it just means they really need to use their medical insurance to go see a "shrink" and deal with the world, instead of taking it out on others. When you're riding in a iwde right lane, cars can easily pass you, but if you're over in another lane, such as a left turn lane, take enough of that lane so nobody can pass you. You're not a plastic jar of mustard, so you don't need to be "squeezed".