Bike Advocate 4

CVC (California Vehicle Code)21202 (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except

(a) (2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

After some interesting experiences with recent group rides, it seems appropriate to continue reviewing the above section taken directly from the California Vehicle Code. This section is critical to many bicycle movements upon our roads and left turning is an area that I would like to comment on. As experienced cyclists, you have all learned how to do this safely, right? However, have you ever tried to make a left turn across more than one lane of traffic? When do you move left? As a bicyclist, you function as a slow moving vehicle in most cases and as a such you should begin your left turn several hundred meters before the intersection so that motorists know your intention. Take one lane at a time as you merge to the left. This way you won't allow motorists the opportunity to make errors in their judgment. Are you turning left soon? Obviously if a motorist sees you on the right side of the road 100 meters from an intersection, the motorist will assume that you probably are going to be traveling straight through the intersection. Thus, it is possible that the motorist will pass you right before the intersection as I would if I were a motorist. Motorists have "motorist vision." They are looking for other motorists, and they expect that others who share the road with them will act like motorists. If you act like a motorist, you will be treated like one. As a bicyclist, you must take responsibility for making motorists see you and be clear as to what your actions are going to be. Use a left turn hand signal at eye level and in the face of motorists so they will see you, allow you to merge and make your turn. Don't be unpredictable and shoot across two or more lanes of traffic to get to your left turn at the last instant! If you are in a group, don't blindly follow a leader who may or may not know how to make a safe left turn. Instead, perhaps direct the group to start their turn early enough and together so motorists will know what the group is doing. Most accidents occur at intersections. A motorist may be likely to pass you before an intersection if you stay too far to the right for too long. Ride for visibility. Do not hug the curb or stay in a bike lane too long if you are planning to turn left soon.

What is legal?

CVC 21202(a)(2) allows bicyclists to move left when preparing for a left turn. There is no law limiting how soon you should do this, however if you wait until the last instant it could be considered an unsafe lane change which not only is a citable offense, but extremely dangerous to a bicyclist. Do yourself and those you may be riding with a favor and merge left early.

What is safe?

Make it obvious to other road users what you are doing. Ride for maximum visibility, predictability, and limit the opportunities for motorists to make mistakes when they are around you. If you are not comfortable on your bicycle making a left turn, then don't. Less experienced bicyclists can cross an intersection, stop on the other side, and then wait for the light to change. In a group ride, let an experienced rider direct safe movements to the group if you don't feel comfortable doing it.

This page was last updated 02/17/07