Where to ride when there is no lane?

I am a relatively new city rider. I've been riding daily for the last 4-5 months. I typically ride a same route to work and back, to school and back, to the girl friends house and back...etc.

Today I found myself having to ride downtown on an unfamiliar route, down one way streets and my question is, if there are no bike lanes, where do I ride? My initial reaction is to default to the right side of the street, however I was riding on the right side of Dearborn for about 2 months before I realized that the bike lane was on the left side. I've seen some riders use the bus lanes and some use the left side.  IS THERE AN UNWRITTEN RULE? Or is it just a free-for-all when it comes to no bike lane?

I've done a mold internet search and can't really seem to find any information on this subject. 

Thanks,

Connor

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Permalink Reply by Connor Sullivan on December 14, 2012 at 6:12pm

Thank you! Now i know why the fellow on stilts was so pissed at me yesterday!

Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on December 14, 2012 at 7:05pm

Seriously, though, you should be practical.  Dearborn north of the River does indeed have a lane on the left side, so get over there (on a three-lane one-way street!).  But for the most part, you should indeed stay to the right, out of dooring range, on most streets.  Main thing: do what you feel safe doing. But also: look at what other cyclists are doing.  If you're the only rider on the right along Dearborn north of Chicago Avenue, well, that's a hint to get over to the left into the bike lane.  Do what feels safe for you.

Permalink Reply by April on December 14, 2012 at 9:54pm

Also if you are going to make a left turn on a one-way, it's fine to start merging toward the left side of the street, the same way a car does.

Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on December 15, 2012 at 5:55am

h- Bushes are for wimps. I prefer a dramatic car hood lunge and roll.

Permalink Reply by April on December 15, 2012 at 8:19am

+1 !!!

Jeff Schneider said:

Also, for your own safety, signal all your turns and lane changes.  Most drivers don't actually want to kill you, and will cut you a little slack if they know what you intend to do.

Bill Savage said:

Seriously, though, you should be practical.  Dearborn north of the River does indeed have a lane on the left side, so get over there (on a three-lane one-way street!).  But for the most part, you should indeed stay to the right, out of dooring range, on most streets.  Main thing: do what you feel safe doing. But also: look at what other cyclists are doing.  If you're the only rider on the right along Dearborn north of Chicago Avenue, well, that's a hint to get over to the left into the bike lane.  Do what feels safe for you.

Permalink Reply by Connor Sullivan on December 15, 2012 at 7:59pm

Thanks for all of the replies. I will stick to what I am conformable with!

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