lane discipline mistake?

[Willam]

Is it me or just rude drivers.

I commute to work and there is one part of the route I have started to fear as I have gotten shouted at y passing drivers....

3 lanes at a set lights, left lane is straight ahead, middle is a slight right turn and right is a right turn, I need the middle lane, so instead of sitting in the middle of the right lane after the lights, as the turn is around 200m past the lights, I stay to the left of the lane after passing lights, so not slowing the traffic down,then signal right nearer the turn and move across, doesn't seem to matter which method I use, stay left then move across or stay in the middle, the former gets me shouted at and the latter gets cars accelerating around me both on the left side of me and right!

What method will get me less abuse (if any)

 

[Pete Owens]

If you need to be in the middle lane then make sure you are in the middle of it.
Much better to make a small minority of impatient drivers angry than posositively encourage a rather larger number of drivers to pass too closely on either side. Your safety is far more important than shaving a couple of seconds off someone elses journey.

If you want to adopt a less assertive style then you could keep in the left hand lane for longer and negotiate into the middle lane nearer the junction, but that would make the manouvre more difficult for you than getting into the correct lane at the lights.

 

[Julia9054]

I have a similar situation. Set of lights with 2 lanes, roundabout 330m later. Left hand lane for turning left at the roundabout and rh lane for going straight on of for turning right. I get into the lane I need - the rh one - at the lights. I can get up to 22 ish mph quite quickly and reckon this is safer and easier than trying to cross 2 lanes of moving traffic nearer the roundabout. Some people overtake me. They are impatient tossers who can't take their foot off the gas temporarily for 300m. I hold my line. It is their problem, not mine.

 

[NorthernDave]

Your safety is your top priority, but I'd go for the primary position (middle of the lane) where you need to be to get where you are going.
For me, that's far better than trying to hold a line with vehicles whizzing by either side when there isn't adequate room for a decent gap, plus other road users are in no doubt of your intentions, so don't get tempted to second guess or squeeze past

I find a cheery smile or a wave helps with the shouters no end

 

[Milkfloat]

I have a similar situation near me. I always take the whole lane, but try to beat a fictitious strava segment time so as not to hold too many people up.

 

[Markymark]

Major junctions act like a car. Choose the correct lane and stuck in he middle to avoid being squeezed.

 

[ManiaMuse]

I have a similar situation near me. I always take the whole lane, but try to beat a fictitious strava segment time so as not to hold too many people up.

+1 Do lots of shoulder checks looking for gaps before changing lanes, generally gives motorists an idea of what you are about to do or at least confuses them enough to make them hesitate and slow down, and then once you are in the lane don't dawdle and make it obvious that you aren't just trying to hold traffic up.

I'm not quite sure what is meant by the OP, but personally if I am turning right on a multi-lane road and I've spotted a gap to change lanes a bit earlier than necessary then I will usually take it but then stay right to the right of that lane. That way it is obvious why I am in that lane and people can undertake me relatively safely if they are impatient.

 

[Globalti]

City cyclists need to stop thinking of themselves as second best and start thinking of themselves as a road user with the same rights as everybody else. Some time riding a motorbike would help with that self confidence.

 

[NorvernRob]

Major junctions act like a car. Choose the correct lane and stuck in he middle to avoid being squeezed.

Absolutely, I cross junction 31 of the M1 on the A57 when I do one of my regular loops. It's obviously a busy roundabout but I ride it as though I'm in the car, primary to the roundabout then stay there until I pass the exit before mine, then I'll move to the left of the lane. I don't dawdle when in primary, I'll go 20mph+ and I think most drivers appreciate you're not just sat in the middle of a lane doing 10mph (although you're entitled to, it doesn't really encourage drivers to be patient).

 

[NorthernDave]

City cyclists need to stop thinking of themselves as second best and start thinking of themselves as a road user with the same rights as everybody else. Some time riding a motorbike would help with that self confidence.

Thinking about it I don't think I've ever suffered an overly close pass from a motorbike.
Mopeds are a different matter...

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

Thinking about it I don't think I've ever suffered an overly close pass from a motorbike.
Mopeds are a different matter...

I've had a motorbike sit right on my back wheel in a queue of traffic, trying to squeeze in between me and the car in front. Why he was in such a hurry I don't know. You get idiots using all forms of transport.

 

[Willam]

[

I'm not quite sure what is meant by the OP, .

Yeah not to clear...3 lanes before lights, 3 lanes after lights, then 100/200m after lights there is also a junction cutting off the middle lane, so after lights I also need to be in the middle of the lane to make the right turn, hope that's a bit clearer.

Cheers all for the replies, tried it today in primary position and it seem to go smoother, just went a bit faster than normal.

 

[griff488]

As has been said above your safety is paramount. If you don't feel comfortable or safe using either method why not walk around that particular junction. There are many many idiots on the road who will try to squeeze you out of the way. Why give them the oportunity? You have every right to use the lanes correctly ie being in the middle but if doing that enrages an idiot behind who then decides to push past you that could result in a serious accident/injury.
Is there an alternative route you can take to avoid that particular junction? Even if it adds a bit of distance on if its safer then its worth it.