I feel like I should know this, but . . .

What's the rule on a bike going around the right side of cars (no bike lane, no right turn lane) to go through a green, with respect to cars turning right?  That is, does the right-turning car(s) have to wait for cyclists on the right to clear through the intersection, or does the cyclist have to wait behind the car?  Is this rule set forth somewhere?

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Permalink Reply by Geoffrey Harding on August 29, 2018 at 5:36am

All roads are slightly different, but for a two lane road where there is no bike lane or shoulder to speak of, I take the lane and get in line with the cars. Many drivers don’t use signals so you can’t be certain if they will go straight. Also, by taking the lane the car behind you can not pass and then right hook you at the intersection. I can not speak to the legality of the scenario, but that is what I do to get home safely. 

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on August 29, 2018 at 7:18am

If you want your estate to have a chance for a nice settlement, count on drivers to obey the law regarding right turns.  If you want to live, I'm 100% with Geoffrey and Yasmeen.       

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on August 29, 2018 at 6:23am

I usually stay behind the vehicle and work under the assumption I am invisible. Like Geoffrey, I am worried about a right hook. If there's a cross walk and plenty of space in front of me (and I'm the first one to the light), I move up just ahead of the cross walk - not to block pedestrians but to give me a head start and be more visible to motorists. 

Permalink Reply by Cooper Harmstead on August 29, 2018 at 7:56am

Thanks, and good advice.  Wife and kids were in the car and faced with this situation.  Signaled and slammed on the brakes to avoid the cyclist.  I won't say what words and actions were utilized by the cyclist (disappointing, particularly in light of the fact that my 6- and 8-year-old were in the back).  If she were in the wrong, though, would like to know.

Permalink Reply by David P. on August 29, 2018 at 8:37am

If this is the incident that triggered your question, then based on the information given the car driver had a duty to either yield to the cyclist or make sure they were well clear ahead of them before merging right. 

When I'm driving a car in the city, I never change my road position (whether to the left or to the right) without checking my mirror. 

Permalink Reply by Cooper Harmstead on August 29, 2018 at 8:54am

Oh, absolutely.  The problem in this case was that there was a line of slow moving traffic and right-turners, and a single lane to go straight or turn.  As a cyclist and (occasional) motorist, I am very mindful of my surroundings and always check.  So to be clear, if there is a line of traffic and no bike lane, right turning drivers have to yield to cyclists going up the right side (between the traffic lane and parked cars) before turning?  Thanks and sorry if I'm being dense.

Permalink Reply by Cooper Harmstead on August 29, 2018 at 8:55am

Sorry, I see the rule now and it's clear I'm being dense.  Looks like my wife was in the wrong, at least as I understand what happened.

Permalink Reply by David P. on August 30, 2018 at 3:50am

Yes, car drivers need to yield to cyclists coming up on the right. 

Having said that, this is really bad practice as a cyclist and practically invites conflict. I more or less never go through an intersection, or enter one, on a car's right rear quarter. Being either in front of them (where the driver can see me) or fully behind them gives me somewhere to go in an emergency, like their turning in front of me. This is an important habit to have when driving a car, but even more important on a bicycle or motorcycle. 

Permalink Reply by ad on August 29, 2018 at 9:05am

There's the legality of it all, which is pretty clear that if a driver right hooks someone, the driver stands a decent chance of being at least held civilly liable. 

Then there's the practicality of it all, which is that even with properly adjusted mirrors and an attentive driver checking, there can be blindspot issues (especially with regards to trucks) where a cyclist can get hit if the cyclist just assumes vehicles that are already in the intersection and have signaled a right turn will see them and stop before turning. 

I've seen that exact scenario play out on Division and Damen more than I want to think about, and have witnessed some really close calls.  

I try hard to pass on the left, or at a minimum not pass on the right and wait, if a car has signaled.  Like I said, I understand the law, and it doesn't mean the driver isn't negligent if a right hook happens, but I'm going to do what keeps me safe. 

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on August 29, 2018 at 10:03am

A vehicle turning right will not see you. If you must pass on the right go slow and make sure the vehicle you are passing has no opportunity to turn right, even for a parking space.

Then your only worry will be getting doored. So go slow.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on August 29, 2018 at 2:22pm
The law may be that they should yield to the passing cyclist but if you want to stay alive and uninjured be very cautious passing on the right when in a situation where it is likely a motorist will be turning right.
Permalink Reply by TonyP on August 29, 2018 at 3:22pm

Pass on the left, whether on a bicycle or motorcycle or in a car or a truck.

When riding in traffic it is most prudent to follow the same rules and instincts that would be followed if driving an automobile. A bicycle is a vehicle, smaller than a car, but a vehicle none the less. The "Rules of the Road" apply.

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