Bike Lanes

[AttyPops]

OK.

My local area has a bunch of new bike lanes. Narrow. About a car width.

There's one area in particular that's a right turn. I do what I think is correct....STAY OUT (to the left) of the bike lane, put on my right signal and wait for the light to change or make a right-on-red if clear, and look then turn right. Never crossing into the bike lane.

So today, the light is going yellow. I stop, have right blinker on.

There's a car going on his now-green light to my left. I wait. And I watch and see cars, TWO of them, cutting through the bike lane and turning right. Like I'm blocking them or turning wrong. There's a horn somewhere behind me too (at them or probably me).

So am I stupid? My understanding is that you NEVER EVER cross into a bike lane. (I always check that I don't cut any bikes off...there are few...it's never happened to me to be at that intersection while a biker was on my right in the lane).

Anyway....I practiced swearing a lot today. Particularly since I feel bad getting all sorts of nasty looks from people that drive in the lane to turn right.

I've navigated that turn many times without problems. But sheesh!

Advice? I did look at the DMV's site. They do have a new type of "Buffered bike lane" that moves left of a right-turn lane on roads that have room. However, this one was a standard one that seems to cause confusion.


Do you guys get this too? Am I stupid for doing this when there's no bikes (it's a ticketable offense to cross that line as I understand it)

 

[AttyPops]

BTW.

For those that don't know, and live in Michigan, here's an excerpt from the DMV:

How do Motorists Make Right Turns when a Bicycle Lane is Present?
1) When turning right, a motorist should always yield to bicyclists going straight. Never pass a bicyclist and then “hook” them by making a turn immediately in front of them.

2) Once the bicyclist passes through the intersection, the motorist should then begin their right turn.

3) Only after the bicyclist clears the intersection or driveway should the motorist complete their turn.

So this is as much a public awareness post as it is a rant about stupid hick drivers that need do go back to driver's ed. (I feel better now)

 

[tiburonfirst]

lol, atty! why are you surprised? if people are in a hurry they'll use the shoulder to make a right turn - never mind a bike lane! and blow their horn while passing you if they think you're too slow

 

[AttyPops]

The're probably all ANTZ too..........

 

[patkin]

They're in a hurry and entitled. You're impeding their progress. You are the one and fault and deserve their ire. Take a deep breath and consider the source.

 

[AttyPops]

They're in a hurry and entitled. You're impeding their progress. You are the one and fault and deserve their ire. Take a deep breath and consider the source.

Yeah. I did and it's cool. I had passengers too so I couldn't even overreact . lol. Had to swear silently in my head.

However, I was curious if this is common (getting cut off by someone on the right who is riding through the bike lane). Probably only the....less than aware...local drivers here. I think that the recent study claiming Washington D.C. drivers are the worst was obviously flawed.......

 

[Iffy]

Once cyclists follow da rules of da road (as required here in FL), I might be concerned 'bout da foot powered two wheelers!

Day-um near wiped one out last week when he didn't stop at a four way stop while I was turning left. After his "FU" and my U-turn, he seem to be more concerned about his health than his route and cut through sum yards. That's not even counting the cycling clubs that arrogantly block one lane of a two lane road.

Oh, don't even get me started 'bout water jet ski drivers...

<Hey, Iffy...> <What?!?!> < Up your nic level.> <Noper, more like 'up their's!'>

 

[SilverBear]

However, I was curious if this is common (getting cut off by someone on the right who is riding through the bike lane). Probably only the....less than aware...local drivers here.

Something similar ("on the right").

"Our" road is off a larger relatively "main" road. The "main" road is two lanes along with a bike/parking lane on each side with curbs (so it COULD be a 4-lane road if marked differently). About 80% of the time, we need to make a left from the main road to "our" road... and almost 100% of THAT time, we need to wait for oncoming traffic to clear before being able to turn. Cars fly up behind us and whizz by - CENTIMETERS from sideswiping (you can FEEL their slipstream) - on our right (speed limit at 45, a bit high for residential). The bike/parking lane is clearly marked with a solid white line. So, what we now do is ride a TAD bit over the white line as we approach our road... which forces cars behind us to slow down right along with us and STOP... which they SHOULD do, anyway.

We get plenty of horns, but 'em.

 

[tiburonfirst]

hehe, atty! count yourself lucky looka here!

Durham cyclist gets maced by impatient driver - Local News - Raleigh, NC | NBC News

apparently, lots of people get irate when it comes to bikes and bike lanes - you were not singled out!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SilverBear]

ETA:
My main point: RIDE A TAD BIT OVER INTO THE BIKE LANE.

Oooopsie!!!

 

[SilverBear]

We could turn this into a "bad drivers - general rant" thread.

But, I'll start with this question... it's been a bone of contention between Husbear and me for a while. I'm not saying who thinks what, just to keep things even.

Scenario:
Picture a 4-way intersection. EACH of the 4 ways, on approach, has one dedicated left-turn lane with pavement markings, a sign saying "left turn only" and the signal is red/green/yellow left-turn arrows. (The other two lanes have no signage except for a signal.) One of those 4 approaches ROUTINELY backs up 3 to 4 signal cycles to turn left.

When the left turn signal is green, the opposing approach also has a green left turn signal.

After completing the left turn, you are put into a two-lanes-in-your-direction situation.


Question:
Is it legal to use the center lane to turn left, thus bypassing the long waiting line?

Tangential question: Does "left turn only" mean:
1. When in that lane, you are only allowed to turn left?
2. That is the ONLY lane from which you can turn left?


FYI:
Neither of us use the center lane for that purpose.

 

[AttyPops]

Guess I'm too slow this a.m. because to me the left turn lanes ARE the center lanes. So confused. Need pic.

But to your question of what "left turn only" means....both. Only from that lane and only turn left.

P.S.
They obviously need to adjust the timing on the lights.....

 

[SilverBear]

Guess I'm too slow this a.m. because to me the left turn lanes ARE the center lanes. So confused.

Going in YOUR direction they are left-most. (Who gives a .... about the other direction???)

 

[AttyPops]

Question:
Is it legal to use the center lane to turn left, thus bypassing the long waiting line?

If the center lane IS the left turn lane, what does this question mean?

 

[SilverBear]

P.S.
They obviously need to adjust the timing on the lights.....

YA THINK???!!! And I *have* suggested (in writing to NYS DOT) that the right lane (on that particular approach) be a dedicated right-turn only lane because - after you cross the intersection - the two thru lanes become ONE within about 50 feet, "merge" unmarked whatsoever. That results in a LOT of cut-offs. (Now THAT is the scenario we encounter on the way home.)

 

[SilverBear]

If the center lane IS the left turn lane, what does this question mean?

Do I need to draw it?

At the light, in YOUR direction, three lanes.
Left lane is marked left turn only.
Center lane is unmarked.
Right lane is unmarked.

Question:
Is it legal to use the center lane to turn left, thus bypassing the long waiting line?

 

[AttyPops]

Lol.

The "center lane of your direction"...

So, for the other direction (oncoming traffic) are there two lanes (at least before any merge)? Because that makes the center lane the left turn lane (5 lanes....2 oncoming, 1 center/left turn, 2 your direction).......

And to answer your now clarified lane questions....NO. You can't. Because that left would assume the people in the left turn lane would "keep their lane" like they are supposed to. They don't. (crash)

But sometimes they mark lanes like that as BOTH strait and left. But there has to be a sign and there's usually a light because you'd run across the oncoming traffic turning left it you were to go strait. So you're basically describing a double left turn lane and it would have to be marked that way with proper lights.

 

[SilverBear]

But sometimes they mark lanes like that as BOTH strait and left. But there has to be a sign and there's usually a light.

Well, see... one of us (Husbear and I) thinks that because the center lane (in direction of travel, on your side of the road) is not marked as "thru ONLY" (with a forward-pointing arrow), that a left turn from that lane is optional and legal.

 

[AttyPops]

If you enjoy head-on collisions with oncoming traffic that also thinks that and there's not enough clearance in the intersection (imagine drawing the dotted lines for the left turn lanes doubled like that from both directions and making sure they don't intersect.)

 

[SilverBear]

If you enjoy head-on collisions with oncoming traffic that also thinks that and there's not enough clearance in the intersection (imagine drawing the dotted lines for the left turn lanes doubled like that from both directions and making sure they don't intersect.)

Who is the "you" you speak of??? I said in the original question:

FYI:
Neither of us use the center lane for that purpose.

However, we remain at odds on the LEGALITY of it... not the propriety/intelligence/safety of it.