Best way to negotiate this road...

[JamesTaylor02]

Hello all,

There is a particular road nearby that I am never sure which way is best to navigate it.

For those who may know it; the road in question is Lode Lane in Solihull (where the main Land Rover entrance is).

Coming from a particular direction, the road splits from one lane to two. After a minute or so there is then a huge crossroads where there are traffic lights. After these lights the road continues as two lanes until it comes to a roundabout. I have to turn right at this roundabout so I know I have to be in the right-hand lane at some point along this road.

I have been somewhat "guessing" the best way to navigate this road and today I had a lovely driver explain the error of my ways with various words and, well, gestures. Whilst I would have happily stuck up for myself given the chance, I have always had this lingering doubt in where I should actually be riding.

Now... Apologies for the extremely crude drawing I have uploaded with this post but I thought it would be the best way to try and explain it.

These are the best ways I could come up with :

A: Take primary position in the left hand lane up until the traffic lights. Continue to take primary position in the left lane after the lights and wait for a safe chance to pass into the right hand lane?
B: Take primary position and go into the right hand lane, staying in the primary position in that lane and over the traffic lights.
C: Go into the right hand lane but maybe staying a little closer to the kerb.

I'm more than happy to find myself in a primary position – I have my right to be there just as much as anyone! Although, at the same time, I don't want to be completely disregarding everyone else.

Thank you to anyone who can offer their help and, if I have missed out some info, please let me know!

James.

 

[ianrauk]

Me, I would go with your B suggestion. It's my safety and convenience first and that means staying in primary until the roundabout. And bugger any aggressive car driers behind. As you quite rightly say, you have the right to be there.

 

[Cold]

I cycle on a similar road and always used to stay on the left handside and try and move over when safe but it never felt safe, so I now stay in the right hand lane and people behind me can wait.

 

[JamesTaylor02]

Thank you both for your replies!

Out of interest, I would assume this driver was correct in suggesting I was creating a hazard by taking a secondary position on the right hand lane?

As much as I see him having a point, I still personally think he was a to$$er.

 

[ianrauk]

Thank you both for your replies!

Out of interest, I would assume this driver was correct in suggesting I was creating a hazard by taking a secondary position on the right hand lane?

As much as I see him having a point, I still personally think he was a to$$er.

You were only creating a hazard in his own tiny impatient moton mind. He had no point other then to be an arse.

 

[JamesTaylor02]

You were only creating a hazard in his own tiny impatient moton mind. He had no point other then to be an arse.

I was hoping I had the opportunity to tell him that. Sadly, I didn't get that chance. Which then allowed me to think that it was probably a bad idea and would only give us better cyclists a bad name by aimlessly arguing.

 

[Cuchilo]

It takes balls when people just want to get past you especially from both sides but I ride a bike like I am in a car . The rules of the road are just that and if you go from a filter lane to suddenly turning right its going to mess everyone up and put you in danger . Sometimes I just crap out and get off the bike and cross the road

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Take the entire lane and 'pretend' you are a car. If they want to undertake you at this point, (not legal but entirely their choice) they can do.
I have a similar issue with a one way system that is actually a roundabout and dual carriageway in Northwich town centre and I need to turn right at it (coming in at 6 o'clock and leaving at 3 o'clock. it involves being in the right hand lane and staying in the right hand lane when it becomes dual carriage way because just before it becomes a dual carriageway, I need the right hand exit which only filters from the right hand lane... locals know what I am doing and I give clear indication that I am turning right off the right hand lane of the dual carriageway. I just have to hold my own and 'deal with it'. I get the occasional knobber who thinks they know better.

Over time the 'locals' or regulars that you meet on your route will work out what you are doing. they will know where you are going to and they will learn to deal with it and it will become easier.

 

[Kookas]

I know the place you mean.

I approach the exact same roundabout but from the opposite side, and it is the same deal - road splits into two and I need the 3rd exit.

I usually take primary in the right hand lane from the moment it splits, and have never had any grief there.

There is a very particular condition when I will not do that, though. If I'm going slowly, there's only a couple of cars close behind and the lights for the roundabout ahead are green, I'll keep left, let them pass, and then change into the outside lane.

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Taking the lane as soon as you can and remaining primary, it's your safer position, take the road and stay calm.
Try not to panic about things, and I'd definitely take @Kookas 's advice.