Commuter Skills The following descriptions initially assume you're turning into a side road.
Look back early Check over your shoulder for following traffic a good distance (50-100 metres) before your turn. You want to be able to ride diagonally towards the centre of the road rather than cutting sharply across it, and you may have to wait for a gap to open up in the traffic.
Check again, then signal At about 50 metres from your turn, look behind again – itself an indicator to drivers that you're about to move out – and signal boldly, right arm straight out. If there's a gap, start to move out. Ride smoothly, aiming just to the left of the centreline. If there's no gap, get ready to negotiate.
Dealing with drivers When you signal right, some drivers will ignore you, some will accelerate to get past you, and others will let you pull out. Look directly at the driver to gauge what they're doing. And listen: you can hear a car accelerate. At some point, a driver will leave a gap for you to slot into. They may even indicate this with a flash of the headlights. When you are sure it's safe to do so, move out.
Middle of the road With your right arm held out, ride towards the centre of the road, so that you're maybe a metre left of the centreline. If there is no oncoming traffic, turn right. If there is oncoming traffic, stop opposite your junction, left of the centreline and wait for a gap. Traffic in your lane may pass on your left if there is room. If there isn't, drivers behind will have to wait, just as if you were in a car.
Make the turn Aim for the centre of the lane you want
to be in on the side road. Don't cut the corner, as you may come into conflict with traffic wanting to leave the side road. Don't go too far left or you may get squeezed into the gutter by traffic making the same turn as you.
line for cyclists. If you can reach this green box safely, do so. If not, take your lane so that you are in the queue with the cars. Don't filter up the left of a lorry or long vehicle to reach the front of a traffic queue.
Boxed in?
Turning right at a crossroads
Maybe the drivers behind wouldn't give you an inch. Maybe you realised too late where the turn was. Don't worry. One of the joys of being on a bike is the ability to hit the reset button. Signal left, pull over to the side of the road and dismount. Cross the road as a pedestrian, pushing your bike, wherever it is safest to do so.
Exiting a side road Take your lane as you approach the junction. You're aiming for the centre of your lane this time, not the middle of the road. This dissuades drivers from squeezing alongside you and 'undertaking' you. Be ready to stop at the junction, shifting down into a gear you can accelerate in. If there are traffic lights, there may be an advanced stop
Where oncoming traffic is also turning right, the usual rule is to pass each other and turn right side to ride side. Some junctions are staggered or have road markings indicating that you should pass left side to left side. And some drivers will attempt to pass left side to left side even when they shouldn't. Be alert!
Multiple lanes If you have to turn right across multiple lanes, move over one lane at a time. Signal and move to the right of the lane you're in. Then do the same into the next lane. Right turning traffic will be slowing down to make the turn, but be alert for traffic going straight on in your original lane. www.cyclescheme.co.uk
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