Sam00000111111

There is an intersection in Kirkland, Washington along my commute to work that has a bike lane and a dedicated right hand turn lane at the same intersection. The bike lane is on the right hand side of the turn lane rather than the modern style, typically to the left. In this case, if going straight do you follow the bike lane straight and proceed, or merge into into a traffic lane? Today, I followed the bike lane straight and a right turning blue Prius nearly hit me with a right hook (and then proceed to road rage). I'm curious on thoughts about the right-of-way in this situation.

scottmcd

I always merge in the traffic lane in that situation so I am not crossing the turn lane as you did and almost get hit. Glad you did not!

spinnaker

This is why I jut ride in traffic. In many cases it is much safer. Many bike lanes are poorly integrated into existing streets.

jfoobar

Agreed, bad design, but there are so many roads around here without right turn lanes that have the bike lane all the way on the right that it is a risk that anyone around here is already used to. I dare say there are probably more than a few drivers who genuinely do not realize that they do not have right-of-way on a green light when turning across a bike lane. I know my mother-in-law did not realize this and was rather incredulous about the concept when I explained it to her.

wipekitty

In the situation you describe, I would personally merge over to the right side of the nearest lane that is not right-turn only.

In general, I take the lane at an intersection if there is a chance that other vehicles will be turning right, unless there is some really good reason not to do so. I do not consider a poorly planned bike lane a good reason not to take the lane.

It may annoy a few drivers, but I figure that it would be more annoying to accidentally hit a cyclist.

TimothyH

It is bad design.

There is one like that near my home, bike lane to the right of the turning lane.

I ignore the bike lane unless I'm turning right.


-Tim-

5teve

Whatever company or govt. agency painted that bike lane did it wrong-we have an intersection that was similarly effed up a few miles south of me. When I come to that intersection, I merge into the thru-lane to proceed straight. You can't be expected to try to go straight from a lane, bike or otherwise, that is to the right of a right turn only lane-it defies logic and reason. Frankly, it's probably illegal and if not it should be. The lane striping is just incorrectly applied - someone screwed up, simple as that. Complain to the responsible agency. I did about ours, though there's been no move to correct it thus far.

jasnooks

I Have an intersection near my house that has a bike lane to the right of a turn lane, and I treat it the same way I would if I was a pedestrian on the sidewalk next to a turn lane, which is when I get the walk signal or green light, I look to my right to make sure there's no cars turning, before I proceed thru the intersection. Most people respect this, and let me proceed. If their not paying attention, and I can't make eye contact, then I just wait until they turn before I go, even though I have the right of way.
Minor inconvenience, but it keeps me from wrecking my bike, and taking a trip to the hospital.

Edit:
I do the same procedure if I come up to the intersection when the light is green. Normally cars let me take my right of way. It's frustrating if I have to stop, but again I'd rather not get hit.

JonathanGennick 

I would take the left-side of the car lane until through the intersection. Doing so signals to cars that you are proceeding straight.

There's a similar situation in my town by the high school where there is a right-turn lane into the parking lot, and the bike lane line merges into the curb:

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.4168...7i13312!8i6656

I stay where the bike lane _should_ be, and hold my line until the lane picks up again on the other side.