Turning Left

[Tank]

Just interested in peoples thoughts on how to do this.

Not far from my home there is an intersection that I often see bikers get into trouble with - and was interested on how people would approach it.

Its a T intersection.

When approaching the T there is a long line of turning Left cars and a turn right lane that is generally empty. There is no room to go up the left of the cars as they are normally pulled all the way over to keep the right lane free.

The road that the T meets is busy (East coast road) and it also has a turn right area (often used).

What I see are bikers going up the 'turn right lane' then when at the front of the queue taking the same gap as the car to turn left, but taking a wide corner (effectively overtaking them in the corner).

This morning the car didnt see the biker (or assumed that he was turning right - after all he was in the turn right lane), and the cage tok the corner a little wide. This pushed the bike wider to avoid him almost putting him 'head on' with a car on East Coast road. I have seen this happen a few times.

How would others take this?

[Mikkel]

Well, an obvious way to avoid trouble would be not to be in a hurry.

Barring that, squeeze in behind or in front of the frontmost car so that you wouldn't be overtaking them around the corner. This could of course piss off some of the car drivers, but the choice is yours...

If I was in a reasonable hurry I'd probably squeeze in behind the frontmost car - then again it depends. Sometimes you get people who are really reluctant to pull out and squeeze into the traffic, missing golden opportunities to get going, etc.

[RC1]

i myself would use right lane then get in line a couple of cars back so i had my own space and avoid trouble hopefully,

[Ragingrob]

I'd head up the right lane then pull into the left behind the first car in front of the second, thus pulling out after the first car has, without the second car pulling out too...

[Ragingrob]

Haha pretty much the same reply thrice!

[Grub]

Fair enuff, bike at fault big time. I have to say that now I am a commuter into Welly and back up SH1 on a daily basis, that bikers do themselves no favours and win no friends with the way they ride and act.
- weaving in and out of cars
- splitting when the traffic is already doing 90kmh
- using the between-lane space as if it was a mtorcycle lane
- intimidating cars with their proximity

On Monday a biker went down southbound in Ngauranga Gorge, on Tuesday a biker went down northbound in Ngauranga Gorge. I'm less inclined to blame the car drivers than I am the bikes based on the typical behaviour of most commuters.

Bikers need to remember they don't have a right to be anywhere other than in the correct place in the correct lane. Anything else it at your risk.

[Mikkel]

Haha pretty much the same reply thrice!

I was faster and wrote more... I win

Good to see that people are agreed though!

[RC1]

Haha pretty much the same reply thrice!

does this mean we all get bling for good common sense

[vifferman]

Is there a footpath on the left?

[Ragingrob]

Is there a footpath on the left?

Yeah but the parking warden will give ya a ticket!

[car]

Is there a footpath on the left?

Remember to keep your speed up, though -- if you look like you're parking you might get a ticket!

[Gah! Beaten to the punchline.]

[dipshit]

I have seen this happen a few times.

How would others take this?

Just like I do when driving my car.

I would stay in my correct lane for the direction I want to go for as long as it takes, waiting my turn in the queue of traffic just like everybody else, with my indicator going so everyone can see what direction I intend to go.

[Storm]

I've been beaten to the punch, so will agree with the above and leave you with a favourite quote

"I'm just not an ambi-turner"- Derek Zoolander

[Drum]

Yep, I'd take the right turn lane and then rudely and dangerously turn left pissing off the car drivers - and here's the important part - I wouldn't whinge if I got hit because I knew I was being naughty.

I also support the following, at my own risk:

- weaving in and out of cars
- splitting when the traffic is already doing 90kmh
- using the between-lane space as if it was a mtorcycle lane
- intimidating cars with their proximity

[RnB Fan]

Leave home either earlier or later to miss the line of traffic! I've been guilty of shooting up the outside of a line of vehicles, slotting in two or three cars from the front and then creating my own space. As another Welly commuter I agree with Grub - if you keep doing dangerous shit you will get nailed as some stage.