Handling Skills: Making a Left Turn
Posted by: TriciaSep 14 2007, 12:34 pm
There are two ways for cyclists to make a left turn. You may find that during your commute you use each of these methods depending on the level of traffic, size of intersection, the posted speed limit, weather conditions, and your mood at that given moment.
The Traditional Turn
This turn is often utilized on slower, smaller roads. The traditional left turn is executed essentially the same way that a vehicle makes a left turn.
Begin signaling (when safe to take your hand off the handle bar) 100 feet before the turn. Look over your shoulder for oncoming vehicles and bikes before you begin your lane change and then move into the next lane of traffic. Signal separately for each lane of traffic you cross.
Position yourself in the middle of the left lane/turn lane. Signal again and wait for the green light. Do NOT pass cars on the right in a turn lane. If there are two turn lanes, position yourself in the middle of the rightmost turn lane. When there is no turn lane, stay in the middle of the left lane as pictured above.When the light is green, make your turn into the right lane of traffic.
The Box Turn
In busy, higher use areas you may feel more comfortable using the crosswalk to make a left turn. If this is the case, as you start to go through the intersection merge into the crosswalk on your right.
You can walk your bike or ride through the intersection as long as you stay at a walking pace and yeild to other crosswalk users.
On the far side of the intersection back your bike into the right most through lane of traffic as pictured below. If there are busy turn lanes or if “tripping†the light is difficult on a bike, consider again crossing with pedestrian traffic in the crosswalk then merging into traffic.
When the traffic light changes, go on your merry way!
Note that the 2006 Oregon Bicyclist manual provides a variation on the "box" turn mentioned here. Proceed through the intersection on the right on green light, stop on the far side of the intersection and get into the bike lane or right-hand traffic lane. Then wait for the cross signal. The manual also addresses approaching an intersection with multiple turn lanes. http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/docs/bike_manual_06.pdf
There's a tale circulating that if you are struck while in a crosswalk on your bicycle, you are automatically at fault, even if you have the light. Can someone please address this?
Jamie– Note that the description of the box turn says, specifically, "walking pace." Usually, a walking pace is three miles an hour. If you are riding a bike and going faster than that, it is your fault.
I believe that the thought here is that drivers should be responsible for pedestrians who are in or about to enter the crosswalk. They should not have to watch out for someone 100 feet away going 25 miles an hour. I would believe that the same reasoning would apply if a runner dashed out into a crosswalk, even if he had the green.
Long ago the League of American Bicyclists advised staying to the right of the turn lane, so cars are on the rider's left. When the arrow turns green, swing your turn wide and aim for the right side of the road or bike lane. Cars can then make their turns "inside" of the rider's turn. I have performed lefties like this for many years and continue feeling safe with this method.
This is an interesting challenge for bikers because there are many drivers that apparently don't respect our right to share the road.
They begrudgingly let us "have" our bike lanes but when we slow them down in traffic, for example by making a left turn in the same lane as the cars, this seems to frustrate some car drivers.
I've had numerous drivers (all male, by the way) yell and honk at me as they squeeze by in the same lane and then zoom past me as I'm making an in-traffic left turn.
I've resigned myself to a long life as a biker by making mostly "box" turns whenever I need to make a left turn in heavy traffic.
Definitely what John said (a year ago — anyone still reading this thread?). If there is any traffic at all as I approach the intersection, I do a box turn. If there is no traffic, and especially if there is at least one car in the left turn lane (at a light) to guarantee the sensor is tripped, then I go for the turn lane. Otherwise, it's a box turn.
I do most my riding on roads with bike lanes. One thing to watch out for are cars that consider the bike lane a right turn lane. While this is technically illegal, it is done a lot. I confess to doing it myself on occasion when driving my car — of course being a bike rider, I check my mirror for bikes before occupying their lane. So, when you are making your box turn and headed for the bike lane in the cross road, be sure to check for cars that are planning on utilizing the bike lane to turn right. If there is one there or approaching, head for the sidewalk and plan on using the crosswalk. If they are far enough back, you certainly have the right to block them and make them wait for you to clear out before they proceed. (Of course, you need to decide whether you are comfortable blocking someone who is already breaking the law …)
I like how the picture showed the lady crossing when the red hand was on… I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that it was flashing, not solid… but still.
That is all.