Tricky Left-Hand Turn
03-19-13, 08:08 PM
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Tricky Left-Hand Turn
This is my first post here. I have a commute that is mostly on a four-lane undivided, no turn-lane street with 40 MPH speed limit. To turn into my apartment complex, I have to make a left turn. This seems dangerous to me, with through traffic that might not see me or have time to react as I wait to turn left right in front of them. There is a traffic light ahead 400 feet ahead with a less busy street. Is it safer for me to just go past my turn-in, take a right at the light, turn around, activate the pedestrian walk phase as I am unable to trigger this light on my own, then take a left to continue back to my apartment complex. This is many more steps, but it makes me feel safer. Is this the best thing to do? If not, what do you suggest? Anyone else have a similar commute problem? Thanks.
03-19-13, 08:12 PM
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Definitely do what you feel is the safest. If it takes an extra 5 minutes, so be it. Five minutes is worth peace of mind, in my eyes 
03-19-13, 08:19 PM
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There is a couple of places on my commute that it is just less life threatening to ride a bit further to avoid a bad turn.light set or roundabout .
Do what you feel safe with ,
Do what you feel safe with ,
03-19-13, 08:21 PM
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Definitely, if it doesn't feel safe it probably isn't. Is it possible to scoot across earlier when there is a gap, and then do a little sidewalk riding?
03-19-13, 08:26 PM
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Is that for the main entrance? What about a secondary access point that maybe is on a side street?
03-19-13, 08:36 PM
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How long have you been regularly riding a bike?
If it is not a long time, then go for the safe route, but realize that as your skills improve you may see this left turn as safer than you do now.
z
If it is not a long time, then go for the safe route, but realize that as your skills improve you may see this left turn as safer than you do now.
z
03-20-13, 06:22 AM
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If something were to go wrong - and you would say "I *knew* that would happen one day" - then you should have been taking action about it now. Go the safe way - you'll end up riding with us for longer.
03-20-13, 06:23 AM
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Turn before and ride the sidewalk for a block. Or turn after at the light as you described. Or, if there happens to be no on-coming traffic, make the left turn over the centerline into your driveway.
I think your instinct is right. Don't sit in the lane waiting for a chance to turn and exposed to being run over.
I think your instinct is right. Don't sit in the lane waiting for a chance to turn and exposed to being run over.
03-20-13, 06:30 AM
#9
You gonna eat that?
You may find this information on CommuteOrlando helpful. There are a lot of good tips at that site.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
03-20-13, 08:13 AM
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I go salmon on a 1.5 kms stretch every morning because I feel safer that way. Like everybody is saying so far: go the way you feel safer.
03-20-13, 09:14 AM
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To your original OP-I take the directest route whenever possible, but there are cases where discretion is the better part of valor, and I do it as you describe. Bikes have the same rights and responsibilities as cars, but. . . Bikes are not cars. Plan accordingly, and don't get killed.
03-20-13, 10:39 AM
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I tend to make left turns like you describe as if I were in a car. When I am by myself, feeling strong, when visibility is good, on my fast bike. But when I'm riding with my kids, or not feeling up to having to drill it to match traffic speed, or it's dark or rainy, or I'm on my slow bike, I do it the other way.
Do what makes sense to you under the conditions.
Do what makes sense to you under the conditions.
03-20-13, 11:09 AM
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I would stay as close to the center line as possible while waiting to turn and wear bright clothing, but there's no shame in going up to the light and doing it that way.
03-20-13, 05:05 PM
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The safest route is usually the best route.
03-20-13, 09:15 PM
#15
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IMHO it's safer to take one lane at a time working over for a left turn than to try to cross a bunch of lanes at once. I still wouldn't like that option much without a turning lane. Another option is to turn right at the next street, turn around, and queue up for a left turn saving you the trouble of the crosswalk.
Edit to add: Sorry missed your statement that the next light is sensor activated.
Edit to add: Sorry missed your statement that the next light is sensor activated.
Last edited by Bug Shield; 03-20-13 at 09:20 PM.
03-22-13, 05:40 PM
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I've got one of those (tricky left turn) as well just before I get home. I've been playing it by ear when I get close to the intersection. If traffic has a gap, I'll signal and pull across two lanes and into the left turn lane. If it's heavy, I just cross the street, stop at the crosswalk on the other side and wait for the light to change.
