Dealing with city intersections

[Dionigi]

Interesting article on how to cross a city intersection in USA cities.

https://slate.com/business/2018/08/it-is-ok-to-cut-off-cyclists-at-the-light.html

 

[PowerMe]

I always act like a car at intersections, meaning if the light is red I stop and wait for a green light to proceed.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

In city traffic, you do what it takes to survive. It isn't rude or arrogant to try to stay alive.

 

[Dionigi]

The point seems to be there are new rules of engagement. Placing signs that allow cyclists to move through an intersection at the same safe time as pedestrians is a logical and safe alternative.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

Getting a head start at the intersection is easily accomplished with a throttle (beats torque sensor hands down). I have been using throttle almost exclusively when crossing streets (besides making occasional tight u-turns).

For me the throttle makes street crossing safer. Sadly, the throttle feature is victim of legislation since it is associated with illegal high speed electric bikes.

 

[PowerMe]

A throttle is great if you can start off with your butt in the seat. Because I'm short and my feet don't come close to touching the ground, not even my toes, I always have to start standing on the asphalt, with one foot high on the pedal, ready to push down and use that momentum to then get my butt up and onto the seat. For that reason I keep my bike in pedal assist and in either the lowest or next to lowest setting at intersections.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

A throttle is great if you can start off with your butt in the seat. Because I'm short and my feet don't come close to touching the ground, not even my toes, I always have to start standing on the asphalt, with one foot high on the pedal, ready to push down and use that momentum to then get my butt up and onto the seat. For that reason I keep my bike in pedal assist and in either the lowest or next to lowest setting at intersections.

Funny, I ride differently. When I cross a street, I let the ebike initially roll using the throttle while my butt is still off the saddle. And then further modulate the power with the combination of throttle plus pedal power or I let the PAS take over (whichever feels appropriate after that).

 

[ebikemom]

A throttle is great if you can start off with your butt in the seat. Because I'm short and my feet don't come close to touching the ground, not even my toes, I always have to start standing on the asphalt, with one foot high on the pedal, ready to push down and use that momentum to then get my butt up and onto the seat. For that reason I keep my bike in pedal assist and in either the lowest or next to lowest setting at intersections.

Can you get a bike that fits you?

 

[PowerMe]

Can you get a bike that fits you?

My bike does fit me and I'm happy with it. Feet on ground while sitting on the saddle is not typical, unless you have a bike designed for a crank forward and seat back riding position.

 

[vincent]

i cannot sit in the saddle on most of my bikes and have my feet touch, i use the throttle to bring the bike seat up under me to get started on a lot of them

and agree with mark throttle is the way to go for crossing intersections

 

[ebikemom]

I guess it’s all about what makes each of us most comfortable! I have a pedego interceptor and have it adjusted so that I can put both pads of both feet on the ground when on the seat. When I stop, I can angle off to one side and put one foot all the way down. Since I do a lot of city riding, I find this is necessary for me for safety. Full leg extension for riding efficiency isn’t needed for me since I have pedal assist.

 

[larry-new]

Read Effective Cycling by John Forester.

Safe riding comes from following the rules of the road. Why? Because everyone else knows what to expect from you. Your risk increases by the amount that you deviate from this.

Pulling survival moves in traffic may save you today, but tomorrow it will become obvious that high risk maneuvers are just that...the law of averages favors the predictable.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Read Effective Cycling by John Forester.

Safe riding comes from following the rules of the road. Why? Because everyone else knows what to expect from you. Your risk increases by the amount that you deviate from this.

Pulling survival moves in traffic may save you today, but tomorrow it will become obvious that high risk maneuvers are just that...the law of averages favors the predictable.

Good lord, where do you ride?

The theory works nicely in an environment where 99 percent of road users are aware of and obey traffic laws. As far as I can tell, that place does not exist in North America.

I agree you shouldn't be a jerk or a maniac. But the thread is about the practice of "shoaling", which is a reasonable survival tactic for cyclists who do not enjoy being right-hooked by cars that do not see them.

Similarly, if you need to take the lane, you need to take the lane. If you try to be a good little cyclist and stay far to the right you are merely encouraging motorized morons to pass you with mere inches of clearance (which by the way is illegal in nearly every jurisdiction in the USA), Better to get out in the middle of the lane and jink a little bit to encourage motorists passing you to give you a wide berth, lest you scratch their paint.

Remember, the cars have crumple zones. We do not.

 

[Barry S]

Hawaii just passed a law that requires motorists to maintain no less than 3-feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. Another law that only courteous drives are going to follow. Good luck getting the police to enforce it unless they're behind the car that doesn't oblige. I've started to notice more cars hanging behind me instead of passing, which actually stresses me out. I would rather they pass me then get frustrated behind me. I've never been clipped and I constantly check my mirror to keep tabs on what's behind me.

 

[ebikemom]

I pull over when I am able if a car is behind me on a road where passing is not possible. Sometimes I can't pull over immediately (no shoulder and no place to pull off), but I do when it is safe.

 

[Bruce Arnold]

Hawaii just passed a law that requires motorists to maintain no less than 3-feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. Another law that only courteous drives are going to follow. Good luck getting the police to enforce it unless they're behind the car that doesn't oblige. I've started to notice more cars hanging behind me instead of passing, which actually stresses me out. I would rather they pass me then get frustrated behind me. I've never been clipped and I constantly check my mirror to keep tabs on what's behind me.

There is a similar law here in North Carolina. Cars are allowed to pass bicycles and mopeds, even over a double yellow line, if there is no oncoming traffic, if the cyclist is not signaling a left-hand turn, and they can leave 4 ft. of distance between them and the bicycle. Most car drivers have no idea this law exists. I didn't, before I started riding bikes. I pretty much did it this way anyway, not knowing whether it was legal or not.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

There is a similar law here in North Carolina. Cars are allowed to pass bicycles and mopeds, even over a double yellow line, if there is no oncoming traffic, if the cyclist is not signaling a left-hand turn, and they can leave 4 ft. of distance between them and the bicycle. Most car drivers have no idea this law exists. I didn't, before I started riding bikes. I pretty much did it this way anyway, not knowing whether it was legal or not.

I just do this by instinct, providing safe buffer between my car and the bicycle. It's good that it's written in your local law.

 

[Barry S]

There is a similar law here in North Carolina.

Straying off topic for a moment, I used to live in Rural Hall, NC before moving back to Hawaii. Never even considered commuting by bike and being only 4 miles away from work I should have. I guess my mindset didn't change until I faced the terrible traffic congestion here. I sure miss the short drive to Fries, VA to ride the New River Trail. Sadly, nothing like that here.

 

[larry-new]

Straying off topic for a moment, I used to live in Rural Hall, NC before moving back to Hawaii. Never even considered commuting by bike and being only 4 miles away from work I should have. I guess my mindset didn't change until I faced the terrible traffic congestion here. I sure miss the short drive to Fries, VA to ride the New River Trail. Sadly, nothing like that here.

Somehow, the idea of suffering in HI is about as believable as enjoying oneself in Buffalo, but I know the latter is possible!

 

[Histiogge]

awesome, thanks for the suppsforlife link! i feel that it is going to be super helpful so i will save it in offline read mode! also thanks everyone else for recommendations.
Bruce Arnold, yeah, i did have heard about that law and i think every state should implement it!