Avatar_default
Reputation: 32
Follow 0
Follow 1

Do I make a right turn when a bike is coming up next to me in the bike lane?

When I'm driving next to a bike lane and need to make a right turn, and I can see a bike coming up on my right, should I wait and let the bike pass or go ahead and turn (provided there is enough space between me and the bike) and expect the bicyclist to slow down if needed?

Anonymous asked in Bicycles about 1 year ago | Report

Answer this question or share it with a smart friend:

Avatar_default
Type your answer here…
Latest Greatest

3 Answers

  • Qlandav2ex_small
    Reputation: 4209
    Follow 5

    The applicable Seattle Municipal Code:

    SMC 11.53.190  Driving in a bicycle lane.

    The operator of a motor vehicle shall not drive in a bicycle lane except to
    execute a turning maneuver, yielding to all persons riding bicycles thereon.

    (Ord. 108200 Section 2(11.53.190), 1979.)

    So yes, yield (wait for) approaching bicyclists before turning across the lane.

    Russ Campbell, NWEBS answered in Bicycles about 1 year ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Dinolock_small
    Reputation: 976
    Follow 0
    protosaurus

    I'm sure there is some law and I'm sure the bike-nazis have been paged from their Critical Mass planning meetings to come "educate" us on driving around bikers, but here's my opinion:

    It depends on how far back they are and how fast they are going. If there is the remotest chance that me pulling to the right will cause them any alarm, I signal and come to a complete stop and clearly leave room on the right of me for the biker.

    If it seems to me, someone who also bikes these city streets, that they are far enough back that I might cause problems for cars by coming to the same type of stop before pulling to the right, I'm not stopping for the biker -- I make sure all is clear before totally committing and quickly make the turn and get out of their way.

    Two things that are non-optional in this situation: using your turn signal, and looking in your blind spot. Glancing for bikers along the right of my car is such a habit I find myself doing it at times where there is literally zero chance of a biker being there.

    protosaurus answered in Bicycles about 1 year ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Kiss_small
    Reputation: 79
    Follow 0

    Don't expect the bicyclist to slow down for you. You may scare or anger the bicyclist by cutting them off and forcing them to brake suddenly (especially if you don't signal). When I'm biking at a good clip and a car pulls over in front of me just to brake, it feels the same as when I get cut off on the freeway. On a bicycle, I have the additional adrenaline rush of a near-death experience.

    If you are sure that you can make the right turn before the bicyclist catches up to you, then pull over and turn.

    If you are unsure if the bicyclist will catch up to you, or you think it might be close, yield to them.

    lindsay l answered in Bicycles 11 months ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend: