So yesterday was my first day ever commuting to work. Its only 15 miles total, some roads with bike lanes others without. I know I should have familiarized myself with the bike laws and such before I started but it came kind of suddenly that I needed to start yesterday. I figured I had watched a lot of bikers before when I was driving and I would just kind of follow what they did. I started on the side walk just because I was nervous about riding in the road but quickly realized the benefits of riding in the road and switched over. I came to an intersection which I needed to make a left turn here is a lovely picture of the intersection
Now what I did is in red, I have seen a few bikers do this but I felt kinda awkward between all of those cars and then when the left green came I just kind of turned with all of the other cars... Was this wrong? I heard a few horns beep but couldn't be sure if it was because of me... :/

Also, since I am kind of new to riding 30+ miles a week to work I noticed yesterday that when it came to some of the hills I was riding slower then normal, not at a leisurely pace but definitely slower. Should I get on the sidewalk when this happens?

Thanks for filling me in

If it was me, I would have made my move to the left earlier, and waited in the left-hand turn lane with the other cars.

Did you get over to where the red x was while the light was red? If so this sounds fine otherwise you probably should have got into that lane earlier. I would say don't get on the sidewalk when going up hills. You will get faster. Also while it may feel safer on the sidewalk it is ain't(usually).

I moved over once there weren't any cars coming... I did the hang signals too
geez I don't even know if that was the right thing to do either haha man am I a beginner!

get in the left hand lane as you wehre a car. In a car would you simply cut over where you did?

other than that n.. rookie mistake of trying to stay out of the cars way. no STAY OFF THE SIDEWALK.. you will get wacked.

I would have been in the furthest right left turn lane, taking the lane. If there's only one turn lane, then take that one. You'll always get a frustrated driver, but by far, it's the safest option.

I get in the right-most, left-turn lane and take the middle of that lane. It's easier to be seen and I move to the right side of the road as I make my turn, just as you did. Cars get around easily and I haven't hindered traffic flow in any way.

Everyone has to start somewhere....

I would have (and do) taken the entire turn lane. Don't sit on the line between lanes, it freaks out cagers. They can't figure out where you are going.

When going uphill, you gear down (just like in a car - you know how to drive stick right?) witch causes the engine to spin faster (but with less dificulty) to keep the same ground speed. Since your engine (legs) cant make 5Krpms, you will slow down (on a big hill, I'll go from 16-17mph to about 10-12mph.

JMHO
Billy

Me too--roughly 2 feet further left of the track in the diagram. Most turn lanes are too narrow to share, so just take the whole thing. Also, that paint stripe can get slippery on a wet day.

But I think thedrval did great, especially for a first effort.

Read a book!

Robert Hurst, The Art of Urban Cycling

hooray! thanks everyone!

You're doing a lot better than other beginners! At least you ended up in the road, going the correct direction, and not being afraid to get in the lanes with cars.

But like others said, I would have gotten in the lane with the cars (the right lane of the two turning lanes) and earlier than you did. When the light turns green you can maintain the same speed as the cars as you go thru the intersection. As you come out of it you can merge back into the bike lane if there is one.
But if traffic was crazy, preventing you from getting over early enough, I would have done exactly what you did if there was a bike lane/shoulder on the road you are turning on to. If not, I'd still do what you did but I'd head straight for the sidewalk after the turn at least until the traffic that was behind you goes by you. This way you are not pissing off cagers by getting in front of them at the light and staying in front of them.

I think it depends a lot on the intersection and the traffic patterns. There are factors that you can't show in any diagram -- like, suppose there's a Dunkin Donuts right after the left-hand turn, and a ton of cars turn in -- is the far right of the left-turning lanes the best place to be in then? Maybe not, in that case. I have a situation like that on my homeward commute, and I get to the far left of the left-turning lanes. It gives cars plenty of room to pass by me on the right as I turn, and keeps me out of the way of the cars that are turning right immediately after the intersection.

You showed a lot more sense than most new riders seem to. As you gain confidence, it will show, and you will find that drivers understand what you're doing better, so there will be less honking.

Congratulations on getting started. Have fun!

I agree with others. Take the turning lane in that situation.

However, I think considering you are a newbie to the cycling world you handled your situation better than most. Great job.

You did just fine. Just ignore the honks and ride like you belong on the road, which of course you do.

Oh, BTW, where are you finding hills in Orlando??? Just kidding! Good to have another commuter out there.

What intersection is this? Seeing the satellite photos and/or street view would help people here to visualize the situation.

Sounds like you did pretty well, although I agree with others here about taking the left-turn lane and moving over a bit sooner. Some of it depends on traffic, of course - in heavy traffic I tend to move over earlier than I do in very light traffic.

Don't ride on the sidewalk.

Don't leave the road just because you slow down uphill. F the cagers and F their impatience.

If the road is does not give room for a car to safely pass, they WILL try to squeeze though and take that gamble with your life. Don't let them...take the lane.

If you need to turn left, use the left turn lane. Merge as early as you need to to be safe about it, rather than trying to cut lanes at slow speed when you are already at the intersection. F the cagers if they honk at you for being in the left turn lane.

I noticed that you are in Orlando. I don't know if it's anything like Miami, but Miami was, at least last year, the #1 road rage city in the country. If the cagers are honking, it's just because they're impatient jack@asses.

Here is the satellite picture the bigger red dot is where I waiting for the light to change and the little red dots is my path.
now I know to: move over earlier, and position myself more to the center of the lane while waiting for a light if possible

Definitely take the entire right turning lane, but you still did very well IMO. Unless you're surrounded by race car driver wannabes, you can easily turn in the lane without really getting in anyone's way. Most cyclists are likely to make it across an intersection before the cars do. They may occasionally get pissed when they see you in the lane, but they have no reason to be and they'll be able to tell what you're planning to do. I also wouldn't worry about going slow up hills. You'll look slow to drivers whether you're going 10mph or 20mph, and as long as you're obeying the law they can get over it. Some places do have slow-moving vehicle laws, but they usually involve narrow stretches of two lane roads where the faster vehicles have no chance of passing the slower ones for some time.

I think you did great!! Again take the whole lane and don't worrie about honkers............they don't think we belong anyway. If you go slow up hill.......join the crowd, cagers can go around.

1. Why can't I see your diagram?

2. You can't fool me! There are no hills in Orlando Fla.

You did pretty well IMO. Maybe turn into the lane earlier when approaching the intersection. I put my left arm out widely so everyone knows I'm making a turn. If I act professional enough, it will show people I 'look' like I know what I'm doing, and won't get honked at.

Another thing. You may get honked at quite a bit. Some cities are bike friendly, others are not. I just let it roll right off my back, no eye contact or anything. I know I am doing right and smirk when I see ignorance. I talk to friends who are shocked when I tell them bikes by law share the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle. I wish states would better educate drivers about this and also post signs and billboards. But that may be for some time...

However, you are getting fit on your way to work and not using any gas. I think of it as win, win...if not win, win, win, win. I'm getting in shape, helping the environment, saving money, and not supporting terrorism! I love my country and I serve my country, and I strongly feel we need to fight obesity and be less dependent on foreign oil.

3 . Here is the Pa Bicycle website. Lots of good info about riding on the road in there.

My advice : Take the ENTIRE LANE.


Don't be scared of people in their cars. You have a RIGHT to use the ENTIRE lane when turning left. So USE IT..


You will live longer, and be happier so long as you follow those directions.

- Good luck.