I'm lucky, most of my route to and from work either has light traffic or wide bike lanes. I feel like where I ride cars and cyclists are able to effectively share the road. Now, I know drivers will sometimes do unexpected things. Hey, so will I, so I'm ok with that. Not that I always appreciate it, but I'm ok with it. That said, the ONE thing that would really, really help: using your right turn signal.
If you're turning right, parking on the side of the street, please, please, please use your right turn signal. Oh, and if you're not turning right, please don't use your right turn signal.
If you use it, I promise to give you the room you need. Most other cyclists will do the same (most . . .).
If you don't? Well, I'll probably just curse and give you a nasty look. But I nearly saw a fight break out the other day involving another wronged cyclist. Just use your turn signal. Seriously.
Showing posts with label cars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cars. Show all posts
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Full Use of the Lane?
Cyclists are allowed the full use of the lane. I know this because big yellow signs beside the road tell me so. But maybe those signs are difficult to interpret. What do you think?
This morning waiting at the light at the corner of Cesar Chavez and 3rd I see a cyclist at the front of the line in the middle lane, which makes sense. The left lane is a turn only onto 3rd (why anyone -- and I'm looking at you Silicon Valley Bike Coalition -- would recommend riding on 3rd is beyond me), the right lane is a straight or right turn onto 3rd, but used to be right turn only and is most often used for that, and 1/2 block later is the left turn onto Illinois that makes sense for cyclists heading downtown (SVBC, take note). So, you get in the middle lane, go straight, then 150 feet later turn left. Anyway, where this guy was made sense. Here's the satellite view:
The light turns green, he heads out, staying to the left of the lane (seeing as how he's turning left shortly), but he's not lightning fast, nor should he be, as he has to ride over the train tracks connecting the 3rd Street Rail to the MUNI service station. Apparently that was too much for the silver sedan behind him, who rocketed around him on the right -- but still fully in the same lane.
I caught up with the cyclist a moment later, "Apparently you're allowed the full use of the lane . . . as long as it's not his part of the lane."
Sigh.
This morning waiting at the light at the corner of Cesar Chavez and 3rd I see a cyclist at the front of the line in the middle lane, which makes sense. The left lane is a turn only onto 3rd (why anyone -- and I'm looking at you Silicon Valley Bike Coalition -- would recommend riding on 3rd is beyond me), the right lane is a straight or right turn onto 3rd, but used to be right turn only and is most often used for that, and 1/2 block later is the left turn onto Illinois that makes sense for cyclists heading downtown (SVBC, take note). So, you get in the middle lane, go straight, then 150 feet later turn left. Anyway, where this guy was made sense. Here's the satellite view:
The light turns green, he heads out, staying to the left of the lane (seeing as how he's turning left shortly), but he's not lightning fast, nor should he be, as he has to ride over the train tracks connecting the 3rd Street Rail to the MUNI service station. Apparently that was too much for the silver sedan behind him, who rocketed around him on the right -- but still fully in the same lane.
I caught up with the cyclist a moment later, "Apparently you're allowed the full use of the lane . . . as long as it's not his part of the lane."
Sigh.
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