Safety and Education Committee Report - Archive

You can be too far to the right

Lanes entering and leaving on the right are difficult for bicyclists. As the slower moving vehicle a bicycle should keep to the right. This does not mean going into the right turn lane and crossing it when it ends. Every time a bicycle changes lane there is a potential conflict with other vehicles. If you aren’t turning you shouldn’t be in a turning lane. A bicyclist going straight should keep to the right of the through lane. If I’m going straight, I don’t want right turning traffic to pass and cut me off. When the road widens for a right turn only lane, I keep parallel to the road’s centerline. I try to maintain a steady speed and aim for the start of the dividing line for the right turn only lane. Maintaining a straight course tells the other vehicles where I’m going and when I’ll be there. Some people just have to pass you. They will go in front or behind you but they’re not going to wait. The sooner you commit to your course the more time they have to make a decision.

When the road widens and the right lane is both through and for right turns I usually take the whole right lane. If a right turning vehicle gets behind me, sometimes I’ll pull to the left enough to let them pass. If the combined lane is quite long and traffic is fast I’ll keep to the right until 200-300’ from the turn, then I’ll signal left turn and go to the center of the lane. In heavy traffic the right turning traffic must slow down to turn so it’s not difficult to merge into it. You have the right of way and there is no reason to be in the ditch if you are going traffic speed. Passing right turning traffic on the right is very dangerous (illegal?) and I try to avoid doing so. Most drivers will give you plenty of room if they know where you’re going.

Traffic entering from the right must yield to through traffic. When a lane comes in from the right, continue traveling parallel to the centerline. The merging traffic can go either in front or behind you. Maintain a steady speed so the driver can plan properly. Highway exits have both entering and exiting traffic. You should not change lanes (twice). I know it’s scary but you belong in the through lane which can be some distance from the curb. The faster you’re going the less time you will be spending at the merge point so in this case faster is safer. Becoming just another vehicle going traffic speed is ideal.

Drivers are used to encountering other cars so generally speaking, “The more you act like a car the safer you are”. If you are committed to a course don’t be indecisive, acting predictably and avoiding sudden maneuvers makes it safer for everyone

Safety and Education Coordinator