solveg

So here's the situation:

I must go on a 4 lane, 50 mph road that has a foot of shoulder (filled with debris) and crosses freeways with entrance/exit ramps. There are right hand turn lanes on almost every block that has a stop light. The traffic is so heavy that sometimes I cannot get from the side of the road into the lane in order to get out of the right hand turn lane. I can't take the lane the entire time because I can't ride 50 mph.

Many of the right hand turn lanes are very busy, so if I stop before them I often have to wait for 6-7 cars before there's a break, and then it's dangerous because someone is sure to be coming.

How would you ride this road?

Frunkin

I wouldnt

roadfix

I wouldn't either.

666

I'm not advising you to ride the road you describe, but if you are going to anyway: Don't ride in the right-turn lane if you aren't making a right; same as when you are driving. If you are riding on, or just to the right of, the white line keep that line. Cars that need the right-turn lane will pass on the right. Not fun, but there's no better way.

zonatandem

Find an alternative route . . .

grahny

I got scared and started crying just reading that

+1 to finding a different route

permanentjaun

On roads like that I would ride the shoulder, then when the right hand turn lane comes stay in the shoulder to that. There will be a point that you will determine would be the shortest to cross the lane. Stop there, look behind you to look for the break, then cross. If you can carry some good speed you might be able to ride the shoulder, and after looking behind you to see traffic is approaching but not on top of you yet, you might be able to signal that you're going to be crossing into the lane. I'd be very careful though. It gets hairy. I know exactly the situation you're in. I let mapquest route me from Poughkeepsie, NY to South Jersey on my tour. Matt

Homebrew01

Yup, you have to ride the white line between the straight lane and the right turn lane. Let the turning cars pass on your right, and the straight cars pass on your left.

Personally, I would drive somewhere, then ride.

prendrefeu

Find an alternate route, try to avoid "driving to where you are going to ride" - because unless your route is particularly difficult or long, or you are racing and plan on winning, you should ride and avoid driving.

fogrider

there is no way I would ride on a road like that! its just a matter of time when someone on the phone is driving by and does not pay attention to you. Just on other day a lady made a right turn into me...she was going slow and she stopped when the car made contact with me. it is just a matter of time, there must be another route.

Toastytofu

+1 to change of route.
i personally HATE traffic...

solveg

Thanks for all the input. Unfortunately, this road or roads with similar stretches are pretty much a necessity. It's not as bad midday, but rush hour starts at about 3:30.

I'll focus on doing it the way you guys suggested. Part of what's making it so dangerous is that I* don't know what I'm going to do at each light, so I'm not decisive. If I practice doing exactly the same thing each time, I'm sure I'll be a lot less stressed.

filtersweep

Is this in St. Paul or the Twin Cities? If so, what road is it?

solveg

Lexington at 694 and also at 36, Snelling at 36 up to about County Road D, and 96 going EW. 96 is lighter traffic in most places, but it has a right turn lane on almost every block in some areas. It's all up in the Shoreview area. The problem is more intense around the freeways and large shopping malls, although the road format is pretty common. There are large stretches with nice wide shoulders, but when the traffic is busy with commuters, it doesn't necessarily make the intersections any easier.

Did you live here once?

Nickel

Lex @ 36 is not fun. I have ridden down some busy hwy roads in the south metro and the best I have done is what someone else has mentioned: make sure to ride the stripe and not stay in the turn lane. And stay alert!

countdowntolife

I wouldn't ride this road at all. UNLESS! The road is well lit and you pick up some lights for your bike. You could ride at late night times when traffic is down. Making it possible for you to use the far right lane. The only bad thing about this is that the speed limit is pretty high and if someone was speeding and didn't notice you... It could be bad. Plus at night there is a higher chance of the driver be a drunk driver. That is a risky road. I wouldn't do it.

solveg

Yes, Nickel... I think about you every time I go south because you gave me some better routes to go west towards MPLS. Thanks so much. I think you're less nervous than I am about the traffic, and a better rider.

But going north/south is still a problem. I sometimes go out of my way to go south on Victoria because it's so much better. It's just that there's no way of avoiding those freeway segments, or the rosedale area.

A lot of times I just cannot stay on the white line. The traffic is turning and won't stop. I end up stopping and walking across when it's that bad. On Sunday, on Snelling, I think I averaged 8 mph with all the stopping I had to do from the Larpenteur to CR C.

And snelling down by 94 is just horrible, too.

GNB

...in a car!!! Too dangerous for a bike!!

gurana

I too wouldn't advise riding on a road like that, although I see people around here ride roads that sound similar to what you're describing and I think they're insane.

Are you sure it is even legal to ride on that particular road? It might be worth looking in to.

And there's always the option of finding an alternate route. But it sounds to me like you've already ridden this route a few times, so I assume it is your only choice in the matter. Are there any buses with bike racks you would feel comfortable grabbing just for that stretch of the route?

solveg

I think that the problem is not that unusual, actually... I just wasn't sure of the best way to do it. I mean, people ride in urban areas during rush hour where there's lots of right hand turn lanes all the time, right? People like Nickel ride these streets all the time. They're the only way to get North and South from my end of the city. And when the traffic isn't hot and heavy, it's doable. But maybe I'm just a total chicken, too.

I really think I was making things worse by slowing down as I approached the lane, looking back over my shoulder to see where the break was. Signalling doesn't really help, because the cars are already too close and committed to the turn...you still have to wait for a break in the traffic.

So from the car's point of view, they have no idea what I'm going to do. But even with all the advice, I'm not sure how to cross that turn lane if the cars don't let me in. I end up stopping and pushing the pedestrian light and walking.

I almost think it's a good idea to not* look back, and make the cars yield to me, counting on the fact that they don't want to hit me. That would work, but there's so much going on for cars that they may not even be seeing me.

maddyfish

Ride in the right most lane, that is not a right turn lane. Ride just to the right of the center of the lane.

"I can't take the lane the entire time because I can't ride 50 mph."

Says who? The car drivers? Take the lane.

bbattle

Yeah, take the lane and when the car comes flying up at 60mph (who goes 50 in a 50 zone?) and hits you, you won't feel a thing.

Hocam

Split lanes! right down the middle!

DataJunkie

Ask this question in A&S. However, hide all your sharp instruments. After a few replies you will want to commit suicide after the incessant VC replies.

2WheelFury

That sounds nuts. I'd probably shoot a line just to the left of the white line. Out of the debris, but far enough over where the cagers won't get TOO terribly pissed at you. If they do, oh well. I'd rather they be mad at me than oblivious to me.

Wear bright clothes. And pedal hard - get through that crap as quick as possible would be my advice if you HAVE to traverse it.