where to line up at intersection?
 

On one of my routes I get to an intersection (4-way stoplight) that I need to go straight through, however I'm not certain where I should legally be lined up at.

In the attached picture, I have been lining up in position B. This allows cars to make their right-hand turn without me impeding them (most cars turn right, not many go straight through), and since I'm at the front of the intersection, I take up the entire lane and drift to the right side of the road and into the bike lane on the right side of the intersection.

Position A was just thrown in as the obvious wrong choice.

Position C seems okay, but since I'm going straight through, I would be wary of being right-hooked.

Position D seems okay too, because it gives me time to see who is going to be turning right, and allows cars behind me to catch sight of me while I go straight through, hopefully reducing my chance of getting whacked.

So many choices, but which is the correct one?

Answer: "B" Positions "C" & "D" put you into a dangerous situation to be right-hooked. Position "A" a) infringes on anyone making a left and b) implies you wish to make a left (in which case, you should be in the center of the left turn lane).

That's how I play it.

This is at a stoplight, presumably?

I generally take position 'B' in that situation, especially if the lane is wide enough to allow a right-turning vehicle by on the right. If I don't think the lane is wide enough to share then I will usually stay dead-centre in the lane until I'm clear of the intersection to avoid being pushed toward the curb by a vehicle passing in the intersection.

B. I'll usually look back and wave right turners through with a smile. Try to engender some good will while subtly establishing myself as the Alpha.

B for sure. I have that exact intersection crossing 2 pretty major streets where i live. I have always gone with B, and never have an issue.

C is the correct awnswer! Stay left of the curb by a wider margin than normal to indicate you are going straight ahead and transition into the bike lane once past the intersection. A right hook is less likely than a rear end collision in this circumstance.
Next!

I have an intersection like that on my commute as well (but not leading in to a bike lane). I take position C, but if I see a car with a right signal flashing behind me, I tend to pull all the way over and wave them past as it's a long light, and they will generally have the opportunity to turn before the light changes.

I should probably examine position B, but I'm not sure if the lane is wide enough for me to take position B and still let people turn right behind me. If you're not worried about traffic behind you being able to make right on red, then I'd say the correct position is between C and B, right in the middle of the lane. Even position B might confuse people who expect bikes to be on the right hand side of their lane, but I can see why it'd be desirable as a courtesy to the drivers behind you and to prevent a right hook.

I think to a certain extent it depends on the circumstances. If there's a lineup of cars wanting to turn right, are you really going to sit there in the bike lane blocking them? In that case(my case usually) it seems most courteous to go with B. However if there are no cars noticeably wanting to turn right, C seems like it would be a good choice.

I'd be just to the right of position B, far enough right that a car would be unable to pull up beside me.
C and D are death traps for a right hook. I don't understand A at all.

Where your B position is located you encourage cars to pull up beside you to turn right, or to go straight. It is the ones that pull up beside you to go straight that are dangerous. Don't leave room for them.
Don't let anything ever pass you in your lane if at all possible.

This

I come across this sort of thing from time to time, and I agree with most of the respondents that B is the best position. But I'd like to point out that B is not always possible, especially in heavy traffic. If you're riding to the right to begin with, you may not be able to get to B if traffic is heavy and no one lets you in (I feel like this happens to me frequently).

That leaves you with C and D. I prefer D because it allows me to see who's turning and who's not. I'll pull up in front of the first car that's going straight, while still being very careful that that car may be intending to turn, but has decided not to signal.

B is correct. The people advising C and D seem to be unaware that if you are clipped in when the light turns, you can be across the intersection and in the bike lane before the cars behind you have hit the gas.

As stated, "Position A was just thrown in as the obvious wrong choice.", so I'm glad you can't make sense of it. :-)

I do agree with take on position B, thanks for the reply.

Thank you for all your replies!

I was pretty certain B (or slightly to the right of B to keep me as the alpha of the lane) was the correct choice, and it was the consensus.

Now I can confidently glare at and stare down drivers that dare intrude into my rightfully selected position, or at least speak vehemently "learn the law" if they encroach on me.

You should NEVER be the first one into an intersection! If some jackhole is running the red from the other direction (that never happens, right?), you're dead. This is one of the first things they teach you in motorcycle safety and in the AAA driver improvment class I teach.

I'm usually in position C due to the fact there is usually traffic at the light already. I do make it a point to pull all the way forward (usually in the crosswalk) and leave space for cars to turn right of me if possible. Doing this I've never had a problem here in San Diego and I have that intersection a lot. Please, please, remember never to be the first through an intersection.
Chris

I have a spot similar to this on my way home where a high number of cars are turning right. In that case, I sit in spot B. In my case, the lane is very wide, so even cars two or three back have room to go around on the right.

For every other intersection I encounter, I sit a little behind C. If a car comes up with a right-turn signal on I will wave them around.

Yeah, because you always have a choice at what order you get to a light. And all lights always work for bikes, so you'll never have to wait for a car to activate the signal. Right.

Hopefully, the OP is not blind and will check the intersection as he is entering it.

I see the sarcasim, but I'm not sure what your point is? My post had nothing to do with activating the light or what order you get there in. My point is when the light turn green, don't be the first one through. If you are the only one there and the light doesn't see you, you've got to do what you've got to do...

+1, well said, i enjoy directing traffic.

I definitely agree with this statement, as my mindset is that I'm the only one looking out for me, and ride very defensively.

The intersections are odd where I am in Oregon (south Beaverton/north Tigard). Many times only 1 left turn arrow will activate at any given time. The times I arrive at this intersection the left-turn arrow goes green in my direction, then all traffic gets a red light for about 2 seconds, then my lane and the opposite lane through traffic gets a green, then a few seconds later both lanes get a flashing yellow left-turn arrow.

Whooo, glad I posted the picture than tried to verbally explain this deal!

Yeah, it's definitely B.

http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts...klan1wrong.gif

The whole book is useful if you're new or just unsure over a crazy intersection.
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm

B fo'sure.

While you maneuvre to make sure there is always someone in front of you at each intersection, I'll just look both ways...

The lights here in Oregon go like this, cross traffic (ex. North/South) gets a 7 second yellow, then red, then the other direction (E/W) gets an immediate green. If you try to run the red, there is a good chance an accident will occur since cross traffic immediately goes.

I preferred the signal changes in Illinois, one direction gets a 3 second yellow, the all directions are red for 3 seconds, then cross traffic gets a green. It allows the intersections a chance to get empty by the time traffic gets a green in any direction.

I'll be the dissenting opinion against B here. If the car beside you is going straight, you effectively have to switch positions after the intersection. If I am first to this intersection I would go between B and C. (center) If I can see in my rearview someone is signalling right, B to let them turn right but a bit further back so that its easy to move over again after they turn.

If not first, if the lane is narrow I will go behind the car in front of me. If the lane is wide enough to share I will line up with the bike lane, given the car beside is not signalling a right turn (not always accurate) but a bit ahead of them to not be in the blind spot.