What's the best way to negotiate a left hand turning lane when you want to go straight ahead? I've got a few of these on my route, one is uphill and two are in high traffic areas in 70k zones with lots of trucks, and it's freaky being in the straight ahead lane with cars & trucks whizzing by on both sides, but the worst bit is on approach. What's the appropriate signal on approach so the cars behind have got some idea of where I'm going and can alter their speed to decide the optimum side to pass on if they want to turn left?
What's the best way to negotiate a left hand turning lane when you want to go straight ahead? I've got a few of these on my route, one is uphill and two are in high traffic areas in 70k zones with lots of trucks, and it's freaky being in the straight ahead lane with cars & trucks whizzing by on both sides, but the worst bit is on approach. What's the appropriate signal on approach so the cars behind have got some idea of where I'm going and can alter their speed to decide the optimum side to pass on if they want to turn left?
Generally, move into the straight ahead lane early, and occupy the full lane, this may seem bold, but it's probably the safest way. This is quite interesting to do in Melbourne when turning from Swan St onto Hoddle under the Richmond Bridge where there's two left turning lanes, but successful as long as you fully take the lane for the duration of the maneuver.
It may be worthwhile to get a copy of Cyclecraft. If you were in Melb, you could borrow mine (once I get it back from its current loan 🙂 )
Cyclecraft: Skilled Cycling Techniques for Adults by John Franklin
Ignore his stuff on bike fit, types of bikes etc (it's guff) but his stuff on road riding is pretty good.
What's the best way to negotiate a left hand turning lane when you want to go straight ahead? I've got a few of these on my route, one is uphill and two are in high traffic areas in 70k zones with lots of trucks, and it's freaky being in the straight ahead lane with cars & trucks whizzing by on both sides, but the worst bit is on approach. What's the appropriate signal on approach so the cars behind have got some idea of where I'm going and can alter their speed to decide the optimum side to pass on if they want to turn left?
I forgot to mention, it may also be worth trying to find an alternative route that's less stressful, especially on Friday nights or in low visibility etc.
What's the best way to negotiate a left hand turning lane when you want to go straight ahead? I've got a few of these on my route, one is uphill and two are in high traffic areas in 70k zones with lots of trucks, and it's freaky being in the straight ahead lane with cars & trucks whizzing by on both sides, but the worst bit is on approach. What's the appropriate signal on approach so the cars behind have got some idea of where I'm going and can alter their speed to decide the optimum side to pass on if they want to turn left?
Yikes, Gympie Road is not pretty. I'd be inclined to ride a ways down the left turning lane and pull over, then cross when it's clear. Chicken I know, but less scary and alive to boot.
"Bleve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I forgot to mention, it may also be worth trying to find an alternative route that's less stressful, especially on Friday nights or in low visibility etc.
Yeah, if I get the previous light change at the right time I'll arrive at that particular turn without any traffic but at other times I'll have a great stream of traffic bearing down on me right when I'm about to hit it. Now I'm fairly confident in traffic but once or twice I've had to pull right off the road at that one and wait for it to thin out a bit. Is there a hand signal that can warn people behind me that I'm going straight? The traffic at these intersections tends to be 50/50 and could go either direction so it's definitely in my interest to make sure they know which way I'm going. I've been pointing kind of downwards on my right in an effort to indicate I'm staying towards the left side of the right lane but that's very similar to the signal used to indicate debris on the road.
" Is there a hand signal that can warn people behind me that I'm going straight? The traffic at these intersections tends to be 50/50 and could go either direction so it's definitely in my interest to make sure they know which way I'm going. I've been pointing kind of downwards on my right in an effort to indicate I'm staying towards the left side of the right lane but that's very similar to the signal used to indicate debris on the road.
The only hand signals recognised by the drivers will be ones they learnt, left turn, right turn, stopping (forearm up). So out of that set, I'd use the right arm out turn signal.
Drivers also recognise a couple of other signals, such as the one finger and two finger salute, but I don't think they would help in this situation.
The only hand signals recognised by the drivers will be ones they learnt, left turn, right turn, stopping (forearm up). So out of that set, I'd use the right arm out turn signal.
Drivers also recognise a couple of other signals, such as the one finger and two finger salute, but I don't think they would help in this situation.
Keeping the aggro level down is a wise move, as is the advice to hold your line & keep the lane.
"OzCableguy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
What's the best way to negotiate a left hand turning lane when you want to go straight ahead? I've got a few of these on my route, one is uphill and two are in high traffic areas in 70k zones with lots of trucks, and it's freaky being in the straight ahead lane with cars & trucks whizzing by on both sides, but the worst bit is on approach. What's the appropriate signal on approach so the cars behind have got some idea of where I'm going and can alter their speed to decide the optimum side to pass on if they want to turn left?
Keeping the aggro level down is a wise move, as is the advice to hold your line & keep the lane.
You know I don't like to sook off, but honestly, Gympie Road is something else. Actually it's the Bruce Highway, Highway 1, main road from Brisbane north. Think major arterial road to 50% Bogan World and 50% Sunshine Coast (itself Bogan World), with every turn-off direct into Bogan World. Think people scurrying out of the city on a [censored] highway and wanting to kill any [censored] who gets in their way. Statistics show all roads are 5% boozed, so this one is nearer 10%. I tell you, pull off to the left. You could shut your eyes and hope they don't drive up your jacksy, but that's not playing the odds on this road.
You know I don't like to sook off, but honestly, Gympie Road is something else. Actually it's the Bruce Highway, Highway 1, main road from Brisbane north. Think major arterial road to 50% Bogan World and 50% Sunshine Coast (itself Bogan World), with every turn-off direct into Bogan World.
Thinking of an appropriate translation for us southerners. Ok, attempting to ride on Bell Street, west of Sydney Rd, Coburg. Or continuing north along Sydney Rd/Hume Hwy through the delightful environs of Fawkner.
You know I don't like to sook off, but honestly, Gympie Road is something else. Actually it's the Bruce Highway, Highway 1, main road from Brisbane north. Think major arterial road to 50% Bogan World and 50% Sunshine Coast (itself Bogan World), with every turn-off direct into Bogan World.
Thinking of an appropriate translation for us southerners. Ok, attempting to ride on Bell Street, west of Sydney Rd, Coburg. Or continuing north along Sydney Rd/Hume Hwy through the delightful environs of Fawkner.
-- cfsmtb
Ah, but have they got a place called Burpengary? Gotcha, didn I?
You know I don't like to sook off, but honestly, Gympie Road is something else. Actually it's the Bruce Highway, Highway 1, main road from Brisbane north. Think major arterial road to 50% Bogan World and 50% Sunshine Coast (itself Bogan World), with every turn-off direct into Bogan World.
Thinking of an appropriate translation for us southerners. Ok, attempting to ride on Bell Street, west of Sydney Rd, Coburg. Or continuing north along Sydney Rd/Hume Hwy through the delightful environs of Fawkner.
-- cfsmtb
Ah, but have they got a place called Burpengary? Gotcha, didn I?
Not forgetting Anakie, Bunyip, Dookie and the rather extraordinary Digital Harbour.
Anyone here from the Riverina? I recall some Aussie Rules teams with the most bizarre names: Eastlakes-Mangoplah-Cookardiniah United, Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong United, Aria Park-Marool, The Rock-Yerong Creek... It goes on. And just down the road from Ganmain is the lovely little township of Mangain!
-- Bean
"I've got a bike You can ride it if you like It's got a basket A bell that rings And things to make it look good I'd give it to you if I could But I borrowed it" Pink Floyd
.... and just up the road from there is the beautiful Bogan Gate ... actually I always turn in the other direction ... here are my beautiful boys doing what comes naturally:
... and just up the road from there is the beautiful Bogan Gate ... actually I always turn in the other direction ... here are my beautiful boys doing what comes naturally:
