Stuck in no man's land waiting to turn right

[Accy cyclist]

There i was in heavy traffic on the main road from Blackburn to Preston waiting to turn right . I'd decided to chance it and move into the centre of the road. Vehicles were passing me from behind at 50mph on my left and approaching me at the same speed. I must've been there a nervous minute or so and not one approaching git slowed down to let me reach safety. To make matters worse, vehicles were waiting to turn onto the road i was on, without indicating to let me know if they were turning left or turning right. That's it. In future i'll pull into the kerb,dismount and walk across the road before i reach the junction,and even then i'll have to run. If i'd been waiting in a safe metal box they'd have flashed me to let me go but they don't give a toss for someone on a bike who could be hit and dies.
Would you have taken the chance and sat there with your life in their hands. Or would you have dismounted and walked across the busy road?

 

[Keith Oates]

I would have dismounted and walked across the road, although you shouldn't have to do that.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[burntoutbanger]

Could you have taken your lane, so cars behind you couldn't sneak past you on the left? Would have negated the risk of being hit from behind.

 

[mjr]

I have to do this to get into or out of my house across a staggered crossing. I try to vary my approach speed to avoid stopping to turn right but if I must, I try to block the left lane to reduce the risk of an undertaking motorist misjudging their width and clipping me. Many nobbers will mount the left kerb to pass but at least that slows them down and makes it clear they're nobbers.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Could you have taken your lane, so cars behind you couldn't sneak past you on the left? Would have negated the risk of being hit from behind.

Oh i can just imagine me holding up the traffic heading towards Preston and the motorway. They'd rather run me over than wait a minute or so.

 

[snorri]

Oh i can just imagine me holding up the traffic heading towards Preston and the motorway. They'd rather run me over than wait a minute or so.

Every junction is a little different, but it does strengthen your position if you can force a queue of vehicles to build up behind you. One cyclist standng in the middle of the road, ...nobody cares. One cyclist standing with a lengthy queue of motor traffic behind does attract the attention of drivers who could assist your progress!
Try to think of it as not your fault that you are holding up "the traffic", it's the fault of those who approved the design of the junction.
Of course your safety is paramount, so just do what you feel is safest for you.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Every junction is a little different, but it does strengthen your position if you can force a queue of vehicles to build up behind you. One cyclist standng in the middle of the road, ...nobody cares. One cyclist standing with a lengthy queue of motor traffic behind does attract the attention of drivers who could assist your progress!
Try to think of it as not your fault that you are holding up "the traffic", it's the fault of those who approved the design of the junction.
Of course, your safety is paramount so just do what you feel is safest for you.

Good point but stopping that 50mph car or wagon approaching from behind to then make the others form a queue, i don't know if i'd be brave enough? There are a couple of those plastic flower shrines on the road as you approach the junction i mentioned. That tells you the speed of some of the drivers who use the road.

 

[vickster]

Is there no crossing anywhere? Or an alternate route on smaller roads?

 

[Accy cyclist]

Is there no crossing anywhere? Or an alternate route on smaller roads?

No crossing at all. I'm not after an alternative route, i just fancied climbing Church Lane(It's what i call a 4 mph hill as that's as fast as i can climb it), something i haven't done for a few years. The next time i fancy it i'll approach it from the other direction so that i can just turn left.

 

[vickster]

Maybe posting a google maps image of the actual road would help. Most major roads around these parts have pedestrian islands or crossing to facilitate crossing, even if you have to dismount and walk

 

[Globalti]

Is that Mire Ash Brow that becomes Church Lane, Mellor?

I'd have got off and crossed on foot. That road is dangerous but commuting time doubles the risk.

 

[MichaelW2]

I have a RHTurn from a busy, narrow road into my street. Usually I handle it no problem, it isn't fast like your monster road. The last time I tried, a car approaching was turning left into the road, so I waited and took the opportunity to turn just after. The turning car then stopped, mid turn, leaving me stopped, exposed on the wrong side of the road. Turns out someone was blocking the road ahead, but still, drivers always find ways to surprise you.

 

[Dave7]

.
Would you have taken the chance and sat there with your life in their hands. Or would you have dismounted and walked across the busy road?

There is one right turn on my normal ride which is just before a left bend. I always pull into the kerb and wait for a break in the traffic.
There is also a junction that I have to stop at.......I am turning right ONTO the main road. The other day as I got there.......a car approaching from the left slowed and flashed me to go...........very nice of him (I did wonder "is he a cyclist or just very nice).

 

[Globalti]

NEVER allow a motorist to flash you. Flashing headlights means only one thing: "I'm coming on." Unfortunately it is so widely misused as an invitation to proceed that many divers won't move unless somebody flashes them, meaning you can sometimes waste seconds sitting like an idiot waiting for someone to make their mind up.

 

[sidevalve]

I have a RHTurn from a busy, narrow road into my street. Usually I handle it no problem, it isn't fast like your monster road. The last time I tried, a car approaching was turning left into the road, so I waited and took the opportunity to turn just after. The turning car then stopped, mid turn, leaving me stopped, exposed on the wrong side of the road. Turns out someone was blocking the road ahead, but still, drivers always find ways to surprise you.

Sorry but the fault was yours there. The motorist did nothing wrong - it was you who assumed everything would go as you expected. Sorry to sound boring but if you can't see it's clear don't go

Flashing headlights means only one thing: "I'm coming on."

No it doesn't - it means 'I am here' and by association [or else there is no point in flashing] 'I have seen you'. Beyond that it means nothing - it might be 'I am coming on' it might be 'I am letting you go' or even 'I haven't seen you and I'm flashing at the car behind you'.
Trust no-one, assume nothing and expect stupidity [even from other cyclists] and you will live much longer.