So, approaching a T intersection in a, let's call it suburban area. 4 lane stops at a 2 lane. The approach is downhill, then gets complicated as the intersection is highly engineered. No bike lanes anywhere to be had either.
It turns into one lane that peels off to a sheetz on the right, two lanes that bear right (not outright turn, they actually curve right with a triangular island on the left) then the turn lane for the left which is sandwiched between a concrete lane divider and said triangle.
Sorry for no picture, but I can't upload for some reason. However if you want to see it, go to google maps in satellite view and use the following address: I'd be coming south:
20760 Old Great Mills Road, Great Mills, MD
The road that forms the cross of the T also has a concrete divider across it, meaning the "turn right then U turn" trick would take me a ways out of my way since I'd have to circle the barrier, and the intersection is no picknick going straight through from the other side either.
Obviously plan A is to get into the left turn lane. But a downhill approach and at least moderate usage of this road makes that very sketchy. I might be able to stay right and use cross-walks to get into the left turn lane, but if there are other cars there I'd actually have to walk my bike back against traffic to get in line.
There is no crosswalk to get to the far side of the crossing road either.
So what is the safest way to turn left here? It's seriously scaring me, but past this is a glorious and scenic ride with low traffic and big shoulders that ends in a historic area.
It turns into one lane that peels off to a sheetz on the right, two lanes that bear right (not outright turn, they actually curve right with a triangular island on the left) then the turn lane for the left which is sandwiched between a concrete lane divider and said triangle.
Sorry for no picture, but I can't upload for some reason. However if you want to see it, go to google maps in satellite view and use the following address: I'd be coming south:
20760 Old Great Mills Road, Great Mills, MD
The road that forms the cross of the T also has a concrete divider across it, meaning the "turn right then U turn" trick would take me a ways out of my way since I'd have to circle the barrier, and the intersection is no picknick going straight through from the other side either.
Obviously plan A is to get into the left turn lane. But a downhill approach and at least moderate usage of this road makes that very sketchy. I might be able to stay right and use cross-walks to get into the left turn lane, but if there are other cars there I'd actually have to walk my bike back against traffic to get in line.
There is no crosswalk to get to the far side of the crossing road either.
So what is the safest way to turn left here? It's seriously scaring me, but past this is a glorious and scenic ride with low traffic and big shoulders that ends in a historic area.