SJ Mercury: Mr. Roadshow: How to turn when there's a bicyclist to your right

[Bob Shanteau]

Gary Richards writes a column about driving in the San Jose Mercury.
Yesterday's column was about rules having to do with bicycles.

Bob Shanteau

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Roadshow: How to turn when there's a bicyclist to your right

By Gary Richards
gric...@mercurynews.com
Posted: 05/07/2013 08:28:10 AM PDT
Updated: 05/07/2013 08:28:15 AM PDT

Q Can you please, please, please remind drivers of the proper way to
make a right turn when a bicyclist is present? I am terrified as I bike
toward an intersection and a driver to my left or behind me waits until
the last moment to make his move for a right turn, often cutting me off.

Don Fields
San Jose

A Thursday is Bike To Work Day and a good time to remind drivers about a
question that motorists get wrong more than any other on DMV tests: how
to make a legal and safe right turn at an intersection when a bicyclist
is present.

Drivers, here is the right way to do this:
Merge into or across the bike lane before your right turn, all the way
to the curb. You can do this on all streets, whether they have bike
lanes or not, within 200 feet of the intersection.

If you think there's a chance that merging wouldn't give a rider behind
you enough time to slow down or pass on the left, then don't do it. Slow
down, and merge behind the rider to make your right turn. Treat
bicyclists as if they were motorists.

Avoid pulling to the right at the last moment to turn. This "hook turn"
is so dangerous for bicyclists.

Go to www.dmv.ca.gov for the rules of the road for bicyclists and motorists.

Q I know cars are expected to move into the bike lane before making a
right turn. However, does this mean a driver can use the bike lane as a
place to wait to make a right turn on red?

Often, I either have to wait behind these cars to make a right turn, or
take the sidewalk if in a hurry (which doesn't happen often).

Rao Loka
Palo Alto

A Yes, if a motorist ahead is waiting to turn right on red, the
bicyclist should wait behind the driver or pull to the left of the
motorist to proceed straight.

Q My candidates for stupidest distracted drivers are bicyclists reading
or texting on their phone, and wearing earphones.

Liz Esterly
San Jose
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