Question on cycling on the roads (turns)

[machineman9]

Usually I'm quite okay when it comes to cycling, but I intend to more in the evenings (which, if you didn't notice, are very dark and usually involves a fair bit of traffic). Quite often I cycle on the pavement, but only when it is clear from pedestrians - I know what the Highway Code has to say on that, but I'm also aware that 'by-rules' also permit you to do so if it's not causing any problems to pedestrians or is the safer thing to do... And it is usually a lot safer to cycle there. But I digress...

I'm good at cycling on the left side of the left lane, and I usually keep it right there, but imagine I want to stop and do a right turn on the road? So I'm going into a junction and I need to cross over the line of traffic on the other side of the road, but because of traffic I had to stop in the road.

Should I just be like a car and get to the middle of the road and pause, with my turning indicator on (or, arm, whichever you prefer

[BigTruck]

Well, here in Mountain View, CA cyclists are required to ride on the road, so they have bike lanes on the side of the road.  In order to make left turns they have to use the turning lane that cars use.  They just get up in front of the pack, make their turn when the light turns green and then get the heck out of the way.  Mountain View is considered one of the most bicycle friendly towns in the USA though, I'm not sure if your town provides this stuff for your people.

The one bad thing about it being so bicycle friendly though, is that there are a lot of riders, which means police patrol them just as hard as they do cars.  I've had friends get speeding tickets, wreckless driving, DUI, failing to stop, the list goes on.  Have to treat it like a motorized vehicle here.  Takes some of the fun out of it, I used to be able to ride my bike to the bar down the street and get nicely hammered and ride home instead of driving.  Now I have to crawl home.

[machineman9]

Interesting how they enforce a speed limit, seeing as nobody has a speedometer unless they've got a bike computer.

We only really get turning lanes at the lights, crossroads and the like. Imagine you wanted to park on the other side of the road and there was oncoming traffic, I presume you'd just wait on your point and then cycle over when ready. Act like a motorbike, maybe?

[BigTruck]

It was obvious speeding, they were in a 5mph zone and the guy was riding through that at an easy 15mph.  They wrote him for wreckless.  And yeah, the only turning lanes are at stoplights here as well.  I'd say yes, act like a motor bike.

[Apex]

Anytime I see a bicyclist I exercise extreme caution for their benefit.

[ViperPilot]

[quote]Anytime I see a bicyclist I exercise extreme caution for their benefit.

[beaky]

Cyclists, like motorcyclists, are at risk in this scenario... best thing to do is to signal with whatever you have, and do not assume they see you. Whenever possible, try to do it without stopping completely. Bicycles and motorcycles seem to disappear from many drivers' reality when they are not actually moving (signals or no). I'd also recommend this when driving a Fiat 124 Sport Spider, having been rear-ended in one- twice- by drivers who somehow forgot I was right in front of them.   ::)

You can assert your rights all you want, but it won't count for much if you are in traction in a body cast while you are complaining. 

[machineman9]

Thanks a lot. Cyclists have a weird reputation here... Many are careful but there are a lot of angry drivers. They expect cyclists to pay road tax (note: cars producing under 100g/km CO2 pay none anyway) and have no time for those two wheeled contraptions.

There is a road that takes me from my town to the next which is really dangerous... A lot of accidents each year. To me it is a case of 'sod the law' because cycling on the pavement is just so so much safer. There are several junctions and it is very narrow for a 60 zone. Just unsafe, but most shortcuts have their drawbacks.

I have my nice helmet, partially reflective bag (a camelbak) and suitable lights. So long as I don't need lycra I think this is sufficient

[Apex]

ViperPilot, your statement about "some properly outfitted bicyclists being the worst offenders" is something I'll now keep in mind.  I do see some occasionally, no offenders yet, but ya never know.  Maybe they think that because they can ride better than others that it's OK to take chances, whatever.  Thanks for that.   

[Hagar]

Interesting to note that all replies so far have been from US members. Are there no UK cyclists among the regulars?

I'm a motorist & pedestrian. I have a certain sympathy for cyclists but by their attitude towards other road users the majority of them don't help themselves. You really do need eyes in the back of your head to venture out on the road these days. The problem as I see it is that most British roads simply aren't suitable for cyclists. That also applies to pavements & footpaths. Please keep in mind that modern cycles are so quiet that even pedestrians with perfect hearing cannot hear them approaching from behind. I have to agree with ViperPilot that I find the "properly outfitted" cyclists, meaning those with all the lycra gear & streamlined helmets, are usually the worst offenders & seem to think that everyone should give way to them.

[machineman9]

Yeah, those super-dazzled-up riders remember one thing... "they are allowed to be on the roads and do really have a right to be there", but they lack the understanding that 'other people might not notice them, nor care for them and do not recognise them to be the traffic that they actually are'.

They're seen as a nuisance, but really they're a road going vehicle just like everyone else.


The only idiotic cyclist I ever saw decided to ride out into a road (from behind cars stopped on the other side of the road) and cycled straight into oncoming traffic that was going 30-40mph. Broken windscreens like those get engraved into your head when you're just 11 years old. So I like to cycle safely, even if it means sometimes just being on a wide pavement when I do so. I cycle as fast as I can, but I cycle sensibly... It's all about understanding where you are and what everyone else is doing (something that driving a car has taught me a great deal about).

[machineman9]

You really do need eyes in the back of your head to venture out on the road these days.

I love the internet sometimes 

[eno]

Ok ....... now an answer from a born again cyclist.. having recently bought a bike.... and a professional driver.

For right turns you should be doing exactly what you would do in a car. Signal well in advance of your turn and move to the centre of the road when able to do so safely. Await a break in the opposing traffic and pedal like hell to get through the gap
If this proves too daunting then stop ..... dismount .... and cross as a predestrian wheeling the bike.
Remember as a cyclist you are afforded the same rights as any other vehicle on the road. I ride my bike the same as I drive my car... I plan well ahead, try to anticipate the actions of others, position myself appropriately in my lane so as not to cause inconvenience to other road users, unless it is for my own safety eg on blind bends or the brow of a hill where I will happily hog half the carriageway to prevent dangerous overtaking and then allow others to overtake when it is safe to do so.

From a drivers point of view I hate the "professional cyclist" ... all the gear but no sense, two and three abreast on narrow country lanes or jumping red lights in cities and towns. Another pet hate is cyclists using bus lanes ...whoever thought that one up needs their head read.

[Fozzer]

..another tip from a keen Motorcyclist for 62 years..

Together with cyclists, we have the luxury of cautiously filtering through stationary traffic....

...but BEWARE of drivers and passengers opening their doors to disembark, or curious to see what the hold-up is....

...that will knock you off your machine..sometimes into oncoming traffic!

Anticipating danger well in advance is the rule and life-saver for we two-wheelers!

Paul...Meep-meep... 8-)...!

Also......keep an eye on the face of the motorist confronting you, to see if he/she has spotted you, and observe the front wheels of their vehicle...are the wheels rotating? ...and which way are they pointing?

P.S...I treat all Pedal Cyclists with the care that they deserve.

[machineman9]

I'll be sure to wear my finest plate armor and bring a joust to fight off people who try to door me 


Also, it's too cold (especially for dressing as a knight) so I will leave it until it warms up a tad