moving from side streets?

[roadrunner20]

Hi all

Im a MTBer but currently using my hardtail to commute through Lee Valley and North London.

Question i have is this.

On my commute i have to turn Right from a side Street onto the road.Thus i have to move across one lane into the next lane.

Question is this, if the near lane is clear do you move into the middle of the lane as you do with a car and wait for a gap in the lane you wishing to move into...

OR

Do you just wait untill both lanes are clear before moving into the lane?


I ask this as many many many times i have tried the second method and so far it just never works and i end up waiting years before both lanes are clear long enough so that i can safely move into the lane i trying to get into.

Problem is this, when i do as a car would and move into the empty lane then wait for a gap a car or another type of vehicle allways ends up honking and tooting their head off saying im "blocking" their lane ect and get off the road.

So whats the law with this and what is the best way to approach this?

 

[Matthew_T]

I ask this as many many many times i have tried the second method and so far it just never works and i end up waiting years before both lanes are clear long enough so that i can safely move into the lane i trying to get into.

Problem is this, when i do as a car would and move into the empty lane then wait for a gap a car or another type of vehicle allways ends up honking and tooting their head off saying im "blocking" their lane ect and get off the road.

So whats the law with this and what is the best way to approach this?

The highway code states that in this case you shoudl probably get off the bike and cross the road on foot. If cycling, then I suggest you copy what a car does but indicate very early in order to allow drivers to see that you are wanting to turn and then just wait for someone courteuos to let you out.

 

[Canrider]

I tend to wait for both lanes to be clear, but this is going to depend on traffic patterns, time of day and the nature of the road (for me: exiting a railway station into two lanes of traffic with extra widening for bus stops on each side). Even then, with local knowledge and good positioning to let the taxis by, it's sometimes easier to make a left then reverse course through side streets after the next junction.

 

[snorri]

This book would help you with your question, and gives good advice on all sorts of cycling matters.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Books-Cycle..._medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=Froogle01

 

[gaz]

Depends on the road and how far I can see down it.
If it's not a busy road and there is no traffic coming from the right then I will move forward a bit to make my intentions clear
If it is a busy road and there is traffic coming from the right, then wait at the giveway line.
If it is a busy road and there is a big gap to your right and the roadway is clearly visible then i would move out halfway into the first lane and look for a gap or a kind road user to let me out. But keep an eye out on the traffic coming from the right, if there isn't a gap to continue then look to move back into the side road to allow other road users past.

 

[the_mikey]

I had to cross a busy road last week, it was the A46 next to the busy M4 J18, I waited a while for an opportunity to cross, but it was soon clear that unless I was able to get up to 30mph in a few short seconds, I didn't stand a chance. I dismounted, and crossed to an island when one lane was clear enough, then crossed the second lane, then walked with the bike back to the junction I was trying to cycle into so I could continue my ride.

 

[ohnovino]

In some situations it can be easier to turn left, then do a U-turn when there's room. That way you don't have to wait for simultaneous gaps in both directions of traffic.

 

[HLaB]

It depends how busy the road is. I tend to wait until the whole road is clear but sometimes waiting for that will take forever and I do it in stages and if its too busy I've also dismounted. I don't think there's a law to it though.

 

[Matthames]

The problem with moving out into the middle is that it leaves you incredibly vulnerable. In a car you are surrounded by a metal cage, most likely with side impact protection. On a bike you have nothing.

If the traffic is particularly heavy in both directions, I would probably turn left and cross the road as a pedestrian at the next pedestrian crossing.

 

[roadrunner20]

the problem i see with the suggestions is this

Turning in the road on a bike i have seen done and after seeing the guy being hit in the side by a car i will Never ever attempt given how dangerous this is.
Mainly due to the fact you need again two clear roads to make sure its safe and given how most roads are quite busy i cannot see this being a option normally.

Getting off bike is from what i know not allowed as then you now classed as a pedestrian in the road and thus breaking the law, also i dont dare get off bike and start walking in the middle of road as you now less visable and harder to start off once dismounted.

So it kind of goes back to the orginal sugestions of either sit and wait for both lanes or be a car and move into right 2 left lane middle and wait for left 2 right lane to clear/gap.

either way its a really nasty situation and id like to know what the law is on this for cyclists, mainly as id like to know why the heck i get abused when i do and if so to check it isnt ilegal as im sure it isnt.

thanks

 

[crumpetman]

Getting off bike is from what i know not allowed as then you now classed as a pedestrian in the road and thus breaking the law, also i dont dare get off bike and start walking in the middle of road as you now less visable and harder to start off once dismounted.
thanks

Since when has it been illegal for a pedestrian to be in the road? You can dismount a bike wherever as long as it is safe to do so.

 

[roadrunner20]

i dont believe that is correct, you allowed to cross the road but you cannot just walk into the middle of road and stand there.

so with that in mind i believe that you cannot just walk into middle of road with bike then casually push bike off again before getting back on, even if it was legal do that on the roads and i will get run over most likely where i am or abused/beaten up. so i think il stay on my bike where i can.

just trying to find out if you can be a car and move into middle of road before moving right to rejoin traffic and if there isnt a bi law to stop cyclists from doing this as you can in a car.