Originally Posted by icyclist

"However, instead of riding in the crosswalk (illegal in Los Angeles and most of the county anyway)"

Is this true? A crosswalk in Los Angeles is considered an extension of the sidewalk and I do not believe there is any written prohibition for riding a bike in a crosswalk. Not that I'd do so, but I doubt it's illegal.

Having ridden in Los Angeles for most of the past many decades, I'm fully comfortable in traffic. The only times I don't make left turns from the left turn lane is when I'm riding in heavy traffic with multiple lanes containing fast moving (and usually tailgating) cars. When that happens, and it's rare, I"ll cross the intersection, stop at the far corner, and then cross again with the light.

Originally Posted by urbanknight

Plan well in advance for a left turn on a busy street. Glance back repeatedly until you find a break in traffic, then signal and cross over to the left turn lane. If you can't find a comfortable chance, just go straight and stop at the corner. However, instead of riding in the crosswalk (illegal in Los Angeles and most of the county anyway), ride just to the left of the crosswalk so you're technically part of traffic without impeding the cars.

+1 to common sense and intuition.

Originally Posted by caloso

Yes, it seems obvious, but apparently most drivers in Sacramento haven't figured it out. When I become King, every on ramp will have a giant sign at the bottom: You must be going at least 50mph by the end of this ramp!