Intersections

Introduction

Intersections are where all your cycling skills and experience come together. Good technique and smooth negotiations through these difficult traffic situations will give you the confidence needed to handle most anything the roadway will toss at you.

The basics are simple: Prepare early, move with confidence and certainty to the correct position on the road depending on which way you intend to go (right, left or straight ahead), and obey all traffic laws. In short, act like you would if you were driving
a motor vehicle - after all, you have all the same rights. The safest cyclist is one who acts and moves like any other vehicles on the roadway.

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Basic Rules

The basics at intersections are similar to many of the basics common to all of cycling.

• Ride defensively but not timidly.
• Ride with self-assurance that shows you know what you're doing and where you're going to go.
• Be predictable.
  
• Make motorists comfortable with your presence.
  
• Don't coast through and intersection if you have the right-of-way. Drivers may assume they can cut in front of you.
  
• Always be prepared to brake or take evasive action.
  
• Use hand signals (right and left turn, and slow/stop) to make turns and communicate with motorists.
  
• Scan for potential hazards at side streets and driveways for kids, pets, and other cars.
  
• Your best horn if you need one is a quick shout from deep within your diaphragm. It's instantly available and hands free.
  
• Learn how to make the "Instant Right Turn" for situations where there's little or no time available to brake.
  
• Groups of riders should take intersections in a single file.
  
• Obey all traffic laws! Cyclists who disregard the rules of the road tend to make drivers feel annoyed and even vindictive.
• To get respect you need to show it. Remember, what you do today could well affect another cyclist tomorrow.
  
• Establish your position as early as you can to give motorists plenty of time to understand your intentions.
  
• Gain eye contact with motorists whenever possible. It won't guarantee they see you, but it can be a signal that they might know you exist.

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Turning Lane Rules

Which lane? Which side? Those are the questions. There are two basic rules:

1.Choose the rightmost lane that best serves your destination (left, straight, or right).
2.If one lane serves two destinations such as left or straight, ride on the side of the lane that is nearest to your destination.

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Straight Through Movements

• Make sure any traffic behind you that may be turning right passes on your right.
  
• If there are multiple lanes for turning traffic make your
  preparation moves early enough to offer
  surrounding motorists time to adjust to your intentions.

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Right Turns

• Right turns are fairly easy. Move to the far right side of
  the street and make your turn. You still must check for
  other traffic, pedestrians and the condition of the traffic signal (if any) before making your movement.

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Left Turns

• Make left turns from a position where no vehicles behind you on your left will be going straight through the intersection.
• You want to have everything you'll have to deal with in front of you where you can see it.
  
• If you're turning left from a lane that also allows straight through traffic you must be in the center or left side of the lane.
  
• From left turn only lanes stay on the right side of the lane.
  
• On ordinary two-lane streets the safest place to begin your turn is from just right of the centerline. As you make your turn keep traffic behind you as you move toward the right side of the street.
  
• Never let motorists also turning left an opening to pass you on your right side. Use the "slow"
  signal (arm extended downward with open hand facing to the rear) if you have to to alert traffic behind you.
  
• It's also okay to make a left turn as a pedestrian. Cross to the far side of the intersection and walk your bike across the crosswalk when the light is favorable. Then enter the street and begin riding again. In many cases this may be the safest and fastest solution.

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A Few Don'ts

There are probably a lot of "Don'ts" that could be listed, but only a few
will be mentioned here. Most of the tips above, if turned around, could be
don'ts. Here are some real specific ones:

• Don't run stop signs or red lights! (But watch for motorists that do - there are many more of them out there nowadays than ever before.)
  
• Don't wait too long to make your lane changes ahead of intersections.
  
• Check conditions around you and make your move(s). Plan ahead.
  
• Don't block a motorist from making his legal right turn on red.
  
• Position yourself so any turning traffic moves between you and the curbing.

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Final Thoughts

Intersections will test your skill and your nerve. Learning how to ride through them properly comes only with a lot of practice. Motorists on modern roads are like animals in the wild: they can smell your fear. If you ride in a timid fashion or are uncertain in your movements they will know it and will more than likely take advantage of you. You'll need to learn how to balance a little bit of aggression with defensiveness to ride intersections properly.

So go out and ride. Take your position on the road. And smile as you exercise your right of way. You'll feel good about yourself.

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References:

1.Bicycling Magazine's 900 All-Time Best Tips , Edited by Ed Pavelka.
2.Bicycling Magazine's Complete Book of Road Cycling Skills , by Ed Pavelka and the Editors of
Bicycling Magazine.
3.Effective Cycling, Sixth Edition , by John Forester.

Dave Hein
Last modified: Date: 2001/05/22

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