Just some advice on when one lane becomes two please

[Mike8782]

I'd just like some advice on a bit of road I do every day.

I cycle along a road that is one lane that splits into two, and I want to get in the right hand lane to turn right at the next traffic lights. It's a fairly busy road, and I'll be cycling in a secondary position along the road beforehand. The issue I have is that if I signal to go out too early, before the lanes have split, I feel I'm holding drivers up, and you can sometimes sense their frustration. However, if I wait until the lanes have split, I'm a bit boxed in, and this morning I had a driver who seemed frustrated that I wanted to pull out. How would you handle this junction in the best way? Thanks

The link below is here.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=Top...LjkKw3NfjJAKYYXqqK2tNg&cbp=12,324.59,,0,10.32

 

[RWright]

I think I would be on that huge shared use path on the other side of the street and never even have to deal with what you are doing, but that's just me.

 

[Mike8782]

It's the classic cycle path problem though - When I turn right I have to get off my bike, cross the road, etc, whereas I only have to go along this section of road for about 400m!

 

[ianrauk]

I would signal and move to the right hand lane sooner rather then later.
Any decent car driver would understand why a cyclist would do that and wont mind a few seconds of being held up.
Impatient car drivers can knob off and wait.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I'd be looking over my shoulder a good twenty/thirty yards from where that bike is and then sticking my right arm out just about where that bike is in the picture, I would keep my arm out and as soon as a car slows to let you go, move across. You might get the odd car going by you but sticking the hand right out most will slow and give way.

 

[RWright]

I just saw the path go on around to the right at the turn. I was just thinking I would try to be getting on the path at one of those driveways at the houses before the big building and stay on the path around the building but I guess eventually you would have to get back across the road.

 

[Mike8782]

Thanks, I think I need to up my confidence a little to go out earlier than I do. I think where the cyclist in the picture is is a good place to signal to move out

I would use the path, but part of me thinks I am traffic, I should be using the road, plus there is the inconvenience.

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks, I think I need to up my confidence a little to go out earlier than I do. I think where the cyclist in the picture is is a good place to signal to move out

I would use the path, but part of me thinks I am traffic, I should be using the road, plus there is the inconvenience.

It is all about confidence and assertiveness. Show both of those and you should have very few problems.

 

[Hip Priest]

Firstly, I'd take primary in the left hand lane, then at the appropriate moment I'd signal to move into the right. There's a road like this on my commute, but luckily it's usually busy so I can keep up with traffic, which makes it easier.

 

[fossyant]

It is all about confidence and assertiveness. Show both of those and you should have very few problems.

This. Confident and assertive.

A colleague who is a cyclist ( has been riding and racing longer than me, but does not commute) calls my riding style aggressive. He has seen me out training in Cheshire and said 'I recognised your aggressive riding style'. He did indeed spot me, but it was probably me owning my space on the lanes, or in a village centre. Just do it. My colleague won't commute though, too dangerous.

 

[BentMikey]

Firstly, I'd take primary in the left hand lane, then at the appropriate moment I'd signal to move into the right. There's a road like this on my commute, but luckily it's usually busy so I can keep up with traffic, which makes it easier.

This would probably be my approach.

 

[HLaB]

OffT, Whats going on at the Glazers

Back OnT; I'd be constantly thinking observing from a primary position in the inside lane for the transition to the outsideand use the lights to my advantage. If they create a gap early, take it but don't panic if it doesnt, just slot in down the line (the yellow box, theres also an ASL there as a last resort. In the unlikely event that you don't get a gap pull off onto shared path on the left until the lights go red and then position yourself in the ASL in front of the middle of the right turn lane. A very last resort after going onto the shared use path get of the bike and use the crossing on the far side of the junction. Personally I'd prefer to stay on road but hopefully I've demonstrated there is no reason to panic as there plenty of options.

 

[Mike8782]

Thanks for all the advice - I think I've been roughly on the right lines - just a touch more confidence needed.

The Glazers has changed to become a new bike shop - they're pretty good in there! That must have been during the change of ownership

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks for all the advice - I think I've been roughly on the right lines - just a touch more confidence needed.

Good stuff. Keep it up and you will gain confidence soon enough. If you are using that same piece of road at the same time every day for your commute then a lot of the car driver will start to recognise you and what you intend to do.

 

[400bhp]

The usual suspects have got my backing.

Make sure you're looking back before and when you signal - most drivers will slow and let you move across.