cyberphat

Hi,

I am new to the forum and new to bike commuting. My route takes me onto a highway and have a few right turn bays (as shown in my doodle). Which path do you take the green one or the red one? which is safer?

Thanks,

j0ew00ds

Definitely red. Green is too passive and, if nothing else, confuses the drivers that know you're there.

j0ew00ds

Woops! Welcome, by the way.

dirtyhippy

Depending on the speed of traffic, I would either take the red route, or take the right hand lane. The green line is not a safe route, due to right hooks.

JeffS

Is this a regular lane that becomes a turn lane, or a newly-created turn lane?


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If it's a lane that changes to a turn lane, I would take the red line, except I would definitely be left of the lane divider, not right.

If it's a newly created turn lane I wouldn't be in it to start with. I would stay in the lane I was already in.

JeffS

How are you getting right-hooked if you're moving left before the intersection?

cyberphat

It is a newly created lane. thx

kegoguinness

Are you going straight or turning right? If you are going straight, get in the middle lane (the right-most straight-through lane). If you are turning right, get to the right of the right-turn lane (but not so far right that you have cars buzzing you within the right turn lane).

dirtyhippy

You're right, the crash would occur before the car turns right. Still more dangerous than the other options IMO.

Yan 

This is good advice. It's called vehicular cycling, because it's how you'd drive an automobile on the same road.

cyberphat

I am just staying close to the curb as I peddle along. Now I know better. just go straight like driving. Thanks,

Shimagnolo

Red path.
Even our state DOT has that in the bike manual.

cyberphat

Red path it is. Thanks,

Ka_Jun

Red.

CCrew

Being a gutter baby is never good.

subclavius

Check your local state laws to see what they say. Everyone here will tell you to take the lane or red line because of experience and common sense. You'll want to know the law, however, because you will eventually be called upon to recite it to a driver or law enforcement official who doesn't know the regulations. If you live in a state that isn't a big cycling state, there's likely to be a lot of loosely defined, general statements like "as prudent" or "reasonable" instead of a specific 3 foot rule for passing or exact length from the curb to ride. But most states define a bicycle as a vehicle and as such you have a right to take the lane.

As a rule, I avoid highways because any mistake the car drivers make is amplified by the additional speed and volume of traffic a highway normally sees. If you haven't done so already, consider getting a safety vest and highly rated rear light like the Planet Bike Superflash for the highway section of your ride, and just hope nobody is driving while texting or watching porn.

PS-you also get more flats hugging the gutter because broken glass accumulates there.

d2create

Red.

Pscyclepath

Ride in the right-most lane that's going where you want to go. In this example, if it's an RTOL (right-turn-only lane) and you're going straight on through the intersection, then get over into the right-most straight-through lane. If the lane allows both straight-through and right-turn, then ride the left side of that lane... where your red line shows in the drawing.

Staying too close to the curb invites motorists and others to try to squeeze past you in the same lane. Leave yourself a little room on the right so that you'll have a little maneuvering space for the cases when you'll need it.

cyberphat

On the other hand, I don't want to become a thick an bumpy divider line. I tried the red path today and the ride was a lot smoother. at one point got cars on both side of me. and that as a bit unnerving.

mikeybikes

Its a new lane you said? And the lane exists solely for the purpose of turning? I wouldn't take either paths.

Ride in right-most lane going straight. Take the lane until you're through the intersection. This will keep cars from sandwiching you on both sides.

cyberphat

I will try your suggestion on my commute next week. Thanks,

cyberphat

I have reflector tapes and rear flasher. As for rules, I have to break at least one rule to ride in. I took the side walk on the a narrow over-pass (just follow a few other riders). the rule said I should be on the road. but it is too narrow and too many vehicles. I would not dare riding on the road in that section of my trip.

Torrilin

You get used to it, and most drivers really *don't* want you as a hood ornament. Have you ever seen what a deer does to a car? Humans are worse. We weigh more. Also, we sue.

It does help if there are bike lanes that are striped properly. Not because drivers are less likely to hit you, but because a driver with a "get in the bike lane" attitude tends to absorb the subtle and persistent message of where the bike lane positions cyclists. It does cut down on drivers trying to cut through me.