Acceptable to shoal in this circumstance?

I am approaching an intersection with a red light.

 

There is a car stopped at the intersection with its right turn signal on. The car is somewhat pulled over to the right in preparation for the turn, so there is no room on the car's right side for a cyclist to squeeze past.

 

Based on the pedestrians waiting at the crosswalk, it is obvious to me that, once the light turns green, the car is not going to be able to turn immediately, but rather it will have to wait for the pedestrians to clear the intersection.

 

Normally, then, I would go around the car's left side, so that I can proceed straight away once the light turns green.

 

However, in this instance the cyclist in front of me stops behind the car that has its turn signal on.

 

Can I "shoal" the cyclist by moving around to the car's left side? I have no idea whether I am the faster of the two cyclists, but I'm not particularly interested in sitting behind the other cyclist while the car waiting to turn spews exhaust fumes at us (which is what happened).

 

Thoughts appreciated. :)

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Permalink Reply by pat 5.5mi on October 29, 2014 at 6:37am

I would go around to the car's left.

Caveat: I would do this only if I was familiar with the light, in the sense that I was confident that I could filter through the cars to the front before the light turns green.  If not, then I would merge in with the cars going straight to pass the turning car.  I dread being in someones blind spot right when the light goes green.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on October 29, 2014 at 6:44am

Yes. This is what I would do also. As far as I'm concerned, the cyclist waiting behind the car has chosen not to shoal the CAR, which is of course her decision to make, but once she has done so, you are then free to move up and shoal the car yourself.

Good question!

pat 5.5mi said:

I would go around to the car's left.

Caveat: I would do this only if I was familiar with the light, in the sense that I was confident that I could filter through the cars to the front before the light turns green.  If not, then I would merge in with the cars going straight to pass the turning car.  I dread being in someones blind spot right when the light goes green.

Permalink Reply by Beans on October 29, 2014 at 7:28am

I would wait. Too many weird things could happen when everyone's itchin' to move at the same time.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 29, 2014 at 7:34am

Yes, with that caveat.
 
pat 5.5mi said:

I would go around to the car's left.

Caveat: I would do this only if I was familiar with the light, in the sense that I was confident that I could filter through the cars to the front before the light turns green.  If not, then I would merge in with the cars going straight to pass the turning car.  I dread being in someones blind spot right when the light goes green.

Permalink Reply by Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) on October 29, 2014 at 8:29am

Even though I'm a staunch opponent to the shoal, I think that moving to the left, if safe, is acceptable. If the other rider catches and passes you after the fact, then it would probably be a good idea to stay behind at future lights/stopping situations - cause you don't want to be "that" guy/gal :)

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on October 29, 2014 at 8:37am

A car turning right at an intersection will still move forward - and bear right - even when pedestrian traffic would prevent it from making a complete turn.  A passing bike is too close and can get hooked; it's probably even more likely since the driver's paying attention to pedestrians ten feet away not someone overtaking in their blind spot.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on October 29, 2014 at 9:30am

Am I the only one that doesn't consider this to be an example of shoaling? I don't ever queue up behind riders who have taken a bad position in traffic just because I have some irrational need to be "polite."

Permalink Reply by Rich S on October 29, 2014 at 9:44am

Agree completely! I got chewed out by some rider for doing this on northbound Elston at Diversey/Western a few months ago. They stopped behind the car with the right signal so I passed on the left with plenty of room and lined up in front of the car. When the rider passed me he said I was a dick for shoaling. Whatevers. 

Also, I don't care how fast someone rides. If they pull over all the way to the right at intersections then I'm going to pull up alongside them a few feet to their left. In general I always try to stop in a way that a car can go around me on the right if they want to make a right turn at that light. It also helps make me visible to the rest of traffic behind me. 

Kevin C said:

Am I the only one that doesn't consider this to be an example of shoaling? I don't ever queue up behind riders who have taken a bad position in traffic just because I have some irrational need to be "polite."

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on October 29, 2014 at 12:39pm

Thanks for the responses. :)

Permalink Reply by yai danche on October 29, 2014 at 1:43pm


That comment was a little unnecessary, given that you did not in any way endanger the other cyclist.  He/she was a >offensive genitalia< for calling you a dick.  I would also say filter as long as you ring your bell to let people know you are passing.  That cyclist could suddenly change their mind about staying behind that right turning vehicle and that's a crash waiting to happen!


Rich S said:

Agree completely! I got chewed out by some rider for doing this on northbound Elston at Diversey/Western a few months ago. They stopped behind the car with the right signal so I passed on the left with plenty of room and lined up in front of the car. When the rider passed me he said I was a dick for shoaling. Whatevers. 

Permalink Reply by Rich S on October 29, 2014 at 3:17pm

Huh? Uh no I didn't call anyone anything in that situation. I was called out for shoaling in a circumstance that wasn't really shoaling. They were stopped behind a car in the right turn lane with their foot down and out of the saddle. I passed with about 5-6 feet between us at maybe 8 mph. Not sure exactly but I was coasting to the red light so not going fast. Plenty of time and room to react.


yai danche said:


That comment was a little unnecessary, given that you did not in any way endanger the other cyclist.  He/she was a >offensive genitalia< for calling you a dick.  I would also say filter as long as you ring your bell to let people know you are passing.  That cyclist could suddenly change their mind about staying behind that right turning vehicle and that's a crash waiting to happen!


Rich S said:

Agree completely! I got chewed out by some rider for doing this on northbound Elston at Diversey/Western a few months ago. They stopped behind the car with the right signal so I passed on the left with plenty of room and lined up in front of the car. When the rider passed me he said I was a dick for shoaling. Whatevers. 

Permalink Reply by yai danche on October 29, 2014 at 3:28pm

I'm agreeing with you.  I was saying the other person was a jerk for calling you a jerk.  If you were in any danger of a crash, the other person would've said you were a jerk for not passing safely but instead of was just huffy about shoaling.  

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