Crossing an "on"ramp
 

Posted this on the VC board and am hoping for some more input here (also hope I'm not violating some board rule)

One of the routes I take is a 4 lane arterial (40mph limit). Where it crosses the interstate, there is an enterance ramp off the interstate onto the arterial. Needless to say the drivers coming off the interstate are entering traffic at well over 40.

I've heard two conflicting proposals for crossing the on ramp while travelling on the arterial

1. Stay in the through lane moving toward the middle of the through lane where the "on" ramp intersects; or

2. Cross the on ramp and ride back onto the arterial using the right side of the ramp.

So- who prefers what method and why?

Approaching the bridge over the interstate there's no shoulder so I'm about 2-3' to the left of the fog line in say a 12' lane.

And there is no way you can detour around this? Sometimes an extra mile won't make a hell of a difference time-wise but will make your ride safer. Otherwise, I think I'd choose #2 since that exposes you less to the possibility of being hit when the cars change the lane after entering the arterial from the ramp.

I always think in terms of "how long am I exposed to the danger?". Crossing the ramp is a short hop and then you're pretty much out of harm's way. But staying in the through lane will expose you to all the cars that entered the arterial and now may be changing lanes, and for much longer.

BTW, speaking of cross-posting, I think it's often needed and I wish the forum had a feature where a post would appear in several sections/forums, but still be just one post. I often have questions that belong in several forums. In particular when it comes to commuting it often overlaps with Utility Cycling, Living Car Free, Mechanics and VC, etc. Some people hang out in some forums only and may never see your post otherwise. I NEVER go to VC forum, for instance :D

"enterance"?

+1

I tried #1 - once. Images of my wife dressed in black bawling her eyes out have dissuaded me from trying it again.

Original route http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1171721

The way I now go http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1171732

If I have to tackle a big, fast slip road, I usually cross the ramp and rejoin the road. Like the man said, it minimizes exposure.

[h=3]Main enterance[/h]

Oh please. Don't you have anything useful to post?

I have 2 similar situations I encounter on my regular routes. One of them has only the far right lane entering the freeway but the other has 2 of the 4 lanes on a one-way entering the freeway after a light. The cars in those two right lanes are usually gunning to make the green light and are often up to 45-50 mph when they pass me. I have to get across both lanes to be in the far right of the 2nd lane from the left (exactly in the center of the one-way road, if that makes any sense. I pretty much hate it. If it comes down to it, I will be very assertive with my body/bike position and my left turn arm (in a HALT motion)..and, after I have made eye contact and forced the car to slow, then take the lanes making the traffic slow down to let me through. I have had people tell me they think I am crazy but they rarely seem angry because there is obviously little choice there.

But...like Adam said....it can often be avoided with as little as a mile out of my way for me.

Here's an example (this one no longer exists, thanks to new MUP):http://maps.google.ca/?ll=50.672625,...152.26,,2,5.69

Go up the ramp to till you're across from the "gore" point, then cross it (the ramp) at a 90deg angle.

I know of a couple of cases in the UK where a driver has been too busy looking in his door mirror for traffic on the road he's been joining (admittedly, faster than 40 limit), to notice the rider who was ahead of him on that road. Both fatalities.

I've used both methods, depending on traffic density.

I think it really depends on traffic density. If the road is quiet, I'd stay in the traffic lane. During busier periods, cross the entry slip and follow it back onto the main road. In the UK, most major roads like this have directions for cyclists to cross the entry and exit slip roads.

I agree that finding an alternate route is an option worth looking into, but to answer the question, I usually find myself going with #2. Although I may be fooling myself, it just feels safer.

As opposed to "exit" (?):rolleyes:

To Adam's point, the interstate cuts off all the smaller surface streets going south. So I could go a few miles out of my way and be on another arterial (no ramp though)

Cross the ramp as soon as possible.

I have this situation as I ride to work and again on the way home and in both cases I have to go with #1 (above). For those living in/near Los Angeles, it's the 5 freeway at Rosecrans.

No alternative really, and no alternate route except Imperial Hwy, which means sidewalks (pavement to Brits) only. Often lots of semi trucks (artics to the Brits) at these intersections too, but so far the truckers have been very considerate . . . esp. since their trucks could crush me and they'd hardly notice the bump.

Rick / OCRR

Here's a street view of the actual intersection. Comments?

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=42.143...G5HIupRwrdGL6g

if there were a lot of traffic merging from that ramp, I would ride to where I could cross the ramp at 90 degree angles. Low traffic I would just go straight across it in the direction of traffic.

BTW, cross posting isn't allowed, but in my book VC doesn't count since nobody reads it except people that like to be in an argument.

CommuteOrlando's take.

I think the Commute Orlando piece makes more sense in their context, where crossing the on-ramp is just as hard as taking the lane. Particularly when they wanted to make a left afterwards. The OP is not in the same circumstance, and the on-ramp is to a high speed road, not a surface road.

Freeways cutting communities in two are a real issues in a lot of areas. Hopefully this is going to be less common in future designs now that planners understand the problem.

The new tollway cutting through Fort Worth includes several accommodations for cycling across high traffic areas, so yeah, the future is now.

I realize the CommuteOrlando video is a little different situation, but a thorough read of the article might be helpful for the situation at hand.

I don't have a set rule, and adjust to traffic conditions in my lane and the ramp.

If there's no traffic streaming from the ramp, I cross it putting myself to the right of all merging lanes.

If there's plenty of traffic on the main road, I hold lane position expecting the ramp traffic to yield. If not to me, at least to the auto traffic on the main road, which includes me by default.

If there's lot's of the traffic on the ramp, but little in the right lane of the main road, this is my worst scenario because I can't count on ramp traffic yielding. So I move to the center of my lane to raise my profile and try to make eye contact with merging drivers until I see one yielding, at which time I cross his front to the right side. Also by staking out my lane I leave myself the option of moving left if ramp traffic refuses to yield until late in the merge, at which I work back to the right as the opportunity arises.

In all cases I don't place myself at risk of inattentive drivers, and stay as clear as possible until I have clear signs of their intent.

I'm so glad I don't have to deal with crossing a freeway in my commute anymore. On and off ramps are the worst.

Yes, it makes it somewhat more "exciting" :eek:. The cars on the ramp are decelerating to get down to the 40 or so of the arterial. Crossing the ramp means that the're passing me at a higher speed and definitely not looking toward the right fog line. They're looking to merge left.

I really wish IDOT would attend that seminar.

These suggestions are really helpful, thanks!