It never fails, well sometimes it does, but mostly once or twice a day during the commute, even when I am right in the damn middle of the lane, a car coming up from behind decides to pass me going through an intersection. They can do it here because there is often more room to maneuver around a biker, and they for some reason think it is ok to do so (no double lanes marking the roadway, maybe thinking I should be over more to the right since there does "seem" to be so much more room). But in my mind, this is one of the most dangerous places to be passed and to not take the lane. By staying far right, you can easily get lost in the space of the intersection, and blend in with the side traffic/scenery. Also when you get passed through an intersection like this, you are blinded from turning traffic from the other direction, and I feel like they may try to turn or some such without seeing me in time. ABout the only thing I can think of is to ride so far over I am in the middle of the intersection, but I wouldn't feel safe this way either. Is this a common issue with others?

I have noticed this as well. I try to move to the center like you said or use it as an opportunity to sprint and stay with the passing car so as to use it as a ‘blocker’.

I can't say for sure, but I'd imagine that it is illegal. In Minnesota, cars are not allowed to change lanes in an intersection. If you have the lane, they'd almost have to move partially into the next lane to get around you.

I have one intersection in particular that is a lot like yours. As I approach the intersection I move into the middle of the rightmost lane. This allows me to take the lane and anybody turning right (from the intersecting street) has a much better chance of seeing me.

If a car behind me can't wait the couple extra seconds that it'll take me to get through the intersection, then it's their problem, not mine. Nor should it be yours.

I take the lane anytime I feel it necessary for my safety, especially near busy intersections where the thru lane is usually the middle one and a car trying to pass could force me into a posted turn lane, or off the road where the road narrows after the intersection.

'bent Brian

ALWAYS take the lane through an intersection... I've had so many close calls when I haven't that its just a no brainer for me to ride center or left in the right lane.

Another lane claimer here also. If someone can't wait two seconds to get through an intersection, they should plan their day better.

We have many ambiguous intersections (streets coming together at non-right angles) here too so claiming the lane is essential for safety. Ever since I was almost herded into turning traffic on a protected left, I have started to claim the lane. I do this while going straight through intersections too.

The further you are from the side of the road, the earlier you can see traffic approaching on the other street at the intersection, and the earlier they can see you.

If I'm coming up on an intersection and can hear a car coming up behind me, I usually slow down enough to see if they're going to turn right (especially if we'll be hitting the intersection at the same time). If they're not showing any signs of turning (beyond just the blinkers - a lot of people don't use them) then I pick it back up and use them as a shield from left turning cars. I think I'd probably be better off getting hit by the side of a car pushed by another car than getting hit by the hood of the car turning left. It doesn't really matter that they can't see you behind the shield car, because hopefully they will see the car and know not to turn.

I use pedestrians as shields in downtown a lot too - if they're crossing the wrong way through the light, usually I can get through the red too... Kind of depends on the timing though - we have a lot of one ways here, and if the peds are crossing from the other side, the first car they pass in front of might be the last one I'm in front of - a couple of seconds there could be a bad thing...

Excellent point and suggestion!

I have a route to a client's office that has a left, a right and a through lane with a long light. I always pull up next to the right side of the first car in the through lane, which puts me far enough from the right lane for the right turn cars to pass safely. I usually look at the driver of the car to get them to acknowledge my existance next to them. Just before the light turns I move up a little past the car to my left, when the light turns, I take off like a bat out of hell, and ride next to them through all 6 intersecting lanes. It used to be people in one of the intersecting lanes making right turns on red in front of me, but having a car next to me they don't even try. This particular intersection always used to make me nervous since their are 2 lanes each direction and plus a freeway on ramp with traffic posted at 50 MPH but typically doing closer to 60.

My experience has shown in both driving and biking that the vehicle you will encounter first is the one coming at you from the left, that is the greatest risk as opposed to the person who is coming from the right where you have more time to look and react to what they may or may not do. I figure the cars are there, why not use them to your best advantage!