Left turning lanes

OzCableguy said:

What's the best way to negotiate a left hand turning lane when you want to
go straight ahead? I've got a few of these on my route, one is uphill and
two are in high traffic areas in 70k zones with lots of trucks, and it's
freaky being in the straight ahead lane with cars & trucks whizzing by on
both sides, but the worst bit is on approach.
What's the appropriate signal on approach so the cars behind have got some
idea of where I'm going and can alter their speed to decide the optimum side
to pass on if they want to turn left?

Generally, move into the straight ahead lane early, and occupy the full
lane, this may seem bold, but it's probably the safest way. This is
quite interesting to do in Melbourne when turning from Swan St onto
Hoddle under the Richmond Bridge where there's two left turning lanes,
but successful as long as you fully take the lane for the duration of
the maneuver.

It may be worthwhile to get a copy of Cyclecraft. If you were in Melb,
you could borrow mine (once I get it back from its current loan 🙂 )

Cyclecraft: Skilled Cycling Techniques for Adults
by John Franklin

Ignore his stuff on bike fit, types of bikes etc (it's guff) but his
stuff on road riding is pretty good.

Bleve said:

OzCableguy said:

What's the best way to negotiate a left hand turning lane when you want to
go straight ahead? I've got a few of these on my route, one is uphill and
two are in high traffic areas in 70k zones with lots of trucks, and it's
freaky being in the straight ahead lane with cars & trucks whizzing by on
both sides, but the worst bit is on approach.
What's the appropriate signal on approach so the cars behind have got some
idea of where I'm going and can alter their speed to decide the optimum side
to pass on if they want to turn left?

I forgot to mention, it may also be worth trying to find an alternative
route that's less stressful, especially on Friday nights or in low
visibility etc.

OzCableguy said:

What's the best way to negotiate a left hand turning lane when you want to
go straight ahead? I've got a few of these on my route, one is uphill and
two are in high traffic areas in 70k zones with lots of trucks, and it's
freaky being in the straight ahead lane with cars & trucks whizzing by on
both sides, but the worst bit is on approach.
What's the appropriate signal on approach so the cars behind have got some
idea of where I'm going and can alter their speed to decide the optimum side
to pass on if they want to turn left?

Here is one of the suckers - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=576703

Yikes, Gympie Road is not pretty. I'd be inclined to ride a ways down
the left turning lane and pull over, then cross when it's clear.
Chicken I know, but less scary and alive to boot.

Donga

"Bleve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I forgot to mention, it may also be worth trying to find an alternative
route that's less stressful, especially on Friday nights or in low
visibility etc.

Yeah, if I get the previous light change at the right time I'll arrive at
that particular turn without any traffic but at other times I'll have a
great stream of traffic bearing down on me right when I'm about to hit it.
Now I'm fairly confident in traffic but once or twice I've had to pull right
off the road at that one and wait for it to thin out a bit.
Is there a hand signal that can warn people behind me that I'm going
straight? The traffic at these intersections tends to be 50/50 and could go
either direction so it's definitely in my interest to make sure they know
which way I'm going. I've been pointing kind of downwards on my right in an
effort to indicate I'm staying towards the left side of the right lane but
that's very similar to the signal used to indicate debris on the road.

--
www.ozcableguy.com
www.oztechnologies.com

OzCableguy said:

"
Is there a hand signal that can warn people behind me that I'm going
straight? The traffic at these intersections tends to be 50/50 and could go
either direction so it's definitely in my interest to make sure they know
which way I'm going. I've been pointing kind of downwards on my right in an
effort to indicate I'm staying towards the left side of the right lane but
that's very similar to the signal used to indicate debris on the road.

The only hand signals recognised by the drivers will be ones they learnt, left turn, right turn, stopping (forearm up). So out of that set, I'd use the right arm out turn signal.

Drivers also recognise a couple of other signals, such as the one finger and two finger salute, but I don't think they would help in this situation.

ghostgum said:

The only hand signals recognised by the drivers will be ones they learnt, left turn, right turn, stopping (forearm up). So out of that set, I'd use the right arm out turn signal.

Drivers also recognise a couple of other signals, such as the one finger and two finger salute, but I don't think they would help in this situation.

Keeping the aggro level down is a wise move, as is the advice to hold your line & keep the lane.

BTW, have a lookie here:
http://www.bikesarefun.org/bicyclesafe.html

"OzCableguy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What's the best way to negotiate a left hand turning lane when you want to
go straight ahead? I've got a few of these on my route, one is uphill and
two are in high traffic areas in 70k zones with lots of trucks, and it's
freaky being in the straight ahead lane with cars & trucks whizzing by on
both sides, but the worst bit is on approach.
What's the appropriate signal on approach so the cars behind have got some
idea of where I'm going and can alter their speed to decide the optimum
side to pass on if they want to turn left?

Here is one of the suckers - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=576703

--

Step 1: Close eyes
Step 2: Flinch
Step 3: Ride Straight ahead
Step 4: Abuse anyone who gets irate with your brilliant manoeuvre

These seem to work for a few drivers I see out there......give them a go and
let me know how you make out.

Gags

cfsmtb said:

Keeping the aggro level down is a wise move, as is the advice to hold
your line & keep the lane.

You know I don't like to sook off, but honestly, Gympie Road is
something else. Actually it's the Bruce Highway, Highway 1, main road
from Brisbane north. Think major arterial road to 50% Bogan World and
50% Sunshine Coast (itself Bogan World), with every turn-off direct
into Bogan World. Think people scurrying out of the city on a [censored]
highway and wanting to kill any [censored] who gets in their way.
Statistics show all roads are 5% boozed, so this one is nearer 10%. I
tell you, pull off to the left. You could shut your eyes and hope they
don't drive up your jacksy, but that's not playing the odds on this
road.

Donga

"Donga" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You could shut your eyes and hope they
don't drive up your jacksy, but that's not playing the odds on this
road.

Heheh. Got it to a T. That's how it feels sometimes.

--
www.ozcableguy.com
www.oztechnologies.com

Donga said:

You know I don't like to sook off, but honestly, Gympie Road is
something else. Actually it's the Bruce Highway, Highway 1, main road
from Brisbane north. Think major arterial road to 50% Bogan World and
50% Sunshine Coast (itself Bogan World), with every turn-off direct
into Bogan World.

Thinking of an appropriate translation for us southerners. Ok, attempting to ride on Bell Street, west of Sydney Rd, Coburg. Or continuing north along Sydney Rd/Hume Hwy through the delightful environs of Fawkner.

cfsmtb said:

Donga said:

You know I don't like to sook off, but honestly, Gympie Road is
something else. Actually it's the Bruce Highway, Highway 1, main road
from Brisbane north. Think major arterial road to 50% Bogan World and
50% Sunshine Coast (itself Bogan World), with every turn-off direct
into Bogan World.

Thinking of an appropriate translation for us southerners. Ok,
attempting to ride on Bell Street, west of Sydney Rd, Coburg. Or
continuing north along Sydney Rd/Hume Hwy through the delightful
environs of Fawkner.

--
cfsmtb

Ah, but have they got a place called Burpengary? Gotcha, didn I?

Donga said:

Ah, but have they got a place called Burpengary? Gotcha, didn I?

.... and how could I forget it's nearly at Australia Zoo (vale Steve but
hello Bindi) and then another 20 km to Aussie World!

Donga said:

cfsmtb said:

Donga said:

You know I don't like to sook off, but honestly, Gympie Road is
something else. Actually it's the Bruce Highway, Highway 1, main road
from Brisbane north. Think major arterial road to 50% Bogan World and
50% Sunshine Coast (itself Bogan World), with every turn-off direct
into Bogan World.

Thinking of an appropriate translation for us southerners. Ok,
attempting to ride on Bell Street, west of Sydney Rd, Coburg. Or
continuing north along Sydney Rd/Hume Hwy through the delightful
environs of Fawkner.

--
cfsmtb

Ah, but have they got a place called Burpengary? Gotcha, didn I?

We make do with Nar Nar Goon and Koo Wee Rup.

Moike

Moike said:

We make do with Nar Nar Goon and Koo Wee Rup.

Not forgetting Anakie, Bunyip, Dookie and the rather extraordinary Digital Harbour.

Moike said:

We make do with Nar Nar Goon and Koo Wee Rup.

Aha, so you made it home? How's the legs feeling?

BTH

cfsmtb said:

Moike said:

We make do with Nar Nar Goon and Koo Wee Rup.

Not forgetting Anakie, Bunyip, Dookie and the rather extraordinary
Digital Harbour.

Anyone here from the Riverina? I recall some Aussie Rules teams with
the most bizarre names: Eastlakes-Mangoplah-Cookardiniah United,
Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong United, Aria Park-Marool, The Rock-Yerong
Creek... It goes on. And just down the road from Ganmain is the lovely
little township of Mangain!

--
Bean

"I've got a bike
You can ride it if you like
It's got a basket
A bell that rings
And things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could
But I borrowed it" Pink Floyd

Remove "yourfinger" before replying

Bean Long said:

Anyone here from the Riverina?

.... and just up the road from there is the beautiful Bogan Gate ...
actually I always turn in the other direction ... here are my beautiful
boys doing what comes naturally:

http://www.bogan.com.au/photos/index.php?album=2&image=171

Donga

Donga said:

Bean Long said:

Anyone here from the Riverina?

... and just up the road from there is the beautiful Bogan Gate ...
actually I always turn in the other direction ... here are my beautiful
boys doing what comes naturally:

http://www.bogan.com.au/photos/index.php?album=2&image=171

Donga

Where is that sign? During the 90's I drove up the Newell a couple of
times a year but never noticed the Bogan's Gate sign.

DaveB

BT Humble said:

Moike said:

We make do with Nar Nar Goon and Koo Wee Rup.

Aha, so you made it home? How's the legs feeling?

BTH

No leg pain. Bum recovered quickly. looking forward to next years GVBR.

Moike