my understanding is that it's not legal to pass in an intersection, but everyone knows that cyclists don't follow the laws... You could take the lane until the right turners are gone and then slide over so you're only being buzzed on the left.

I like that.


Personally, I'd probably take the right turn lane, slightly left of center (to prevent passers on the right), then enter the intersection going straight. The road seems to level out in the intersection, so maybe you can speed up and merge with traffic before the line of parked cars start. Or, if the cars are parked all the way to the corner, and you can't safely merge in time, you can always go up the sidewalk as a safe bailout from traffic.

Or just take the center lane.

Personally, I don't mind being buzzed by traffic on either side of me. I rode in SoCal for years down streets with narrow shoulders and 50mph limits; I guess I'm used to it.

What I do if in a very heavily trafficed intersection like that is act like a pedestrian so I can cross that street. Once I am through then it's back to business as usual.

Normally I am a stay off the sidewalk guy, but there are some situations where I have to put safety over principle. I am not going to singlehandedly change the mind of a bunch of speeding drivers by myself. Even if the accident is not my fault, I don't want to end up in a body cast for 6 weeks laid up in the hospital either.

There is another situation that I use this technique. One of my rides is a pretty busy 4 lane highway separated by a median. At a particular intersection I have to get in the left turn lane to turn left. It's a protected left, but sometimes the traffic doesn't allow me to get over. So I just go up to the intersection on the right, and make my left that way.

+1 Ride the dotted line. Those lanes are plenty wide enough. How long does that take at 20 mph ?? 10 seconds ?
After the intersection, ride your 4' from the parked cars and let the passers do what they feel like.
I gather that the sidewalk has other people and bikes coming down at a fast pace, "suicidal you said".

I did this the last time I was on the highway/freeway. I was doing 25 or 30 and 3 cars were coming down the merge-in 50+ mph. They all went by on my right. The third car had a tight fit at the end of the merge, like I figured. haha

That's another option. Generally safety is the reason I avoid sidewalks, but there are places where the traffic is just crazy and I have occasionally done it. The danger to look out for is in the switching between road vehicle and pedestrian modes - particularly when you are leaving the sidewalk to come back into the road. You could ease across like a pedestrian in the crosswalk and wait for the light to turn so traffic is stopped and then carefully get back on the road. From looking at the Google view, I don't think I would do that here, but it could be a different story in person during rush hour.

Middle of the middle lane - you will hold up some traffic, but the road is narrower on the far side of the intersection, and with a center divide and parking on the right, you don't want people thinking that they can pass you there either. I would just take the lane, and move through as quickly as I could. It is not safe for automotive traffic going straight to pass in that area - your lane position should not try to encourage them to pass until it is safe for you, and them to do so.

NC is such a different world, here in AZ there is always a bike lane. Not only that but it's sometimes shared with the bus, making it the full 12' all to ourselves. Ok, there is almost always a bike lane, but somehow having the lane has caused a fearless approach on being buzzed on both sides. Here in AZ it also seems like motorists are terrified of the bicyclists, most will not hover closer than about 50' even at a stopped intersection! (I am most definitely NOT complaining)... Strangely enough I believe attire is the winner here, anyone in a jersey and Lycra almost gets pampered on the roads; T-shirt and jeans not so much though.
Then again I haven't been run over by a car yet... perhaps things will change, and I'll let you know :(

Long story short, cycling in Phoenix metro: we usually take the through traffic lanes.

Take the lane (especially at stop lights). Don't filter either. Once you get through and it is safe, then allow motorists pass by you safely.

This has actually been my current strategy.

This is exactly what I do at all lights, including this one. It has worked very well for me so far, with no real incidents.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I am pretty confident in traffic, after having bike-commuted full time (no car) for the past 8 months, but every now and then I need a check as well.