Eliminating left turns from commute ... re: crackheads

[VStarRider]

I have ridden my bike to work about a dozen times so far this year.

In those dozen trips, particularly on the way home between 4-5pm, I have had two incidents with vehicles coming up behind me and an alarming rate of speed or have been tailgating, then go around me with inches to spare as I turn left or wait to turn left. Both of these events have occurred on similar roads...two lane, 50+ mph, narrow shouldered roads with heavy traffic.

The first event was a couple of weeks ago. I am waiting to turn left from a two-lane road with no traffic controls (just a stop sign for the traffic turning on to the road I am already on) and oncoming traffic. I have to signal, stop, and wait for an opening to make the left turn.

A Honda Pilot comes flying up behind me while I am waiting. I flash the brake light a couple of times to make sure they see me. That driver slows down and goes around me with enough room to spare. Still, it is unsettling watching a vehicle come up behind you at a high rate of speed while sitting there on a motorcycle, waiting to turn.

Today's event was worse. I am already speeding...going 55 mph in a 45 on the road I live on. A guy in an old, beat-up Mitsubishi Lancer comes flying up behind me and rides my ass for about a mile. I already do not feel comfortable. As I approach my house, I flash the brake light a couple of times to make sure this crackhead sees me, and then hope he cares. He veers right and looks to go around me even before I turn on my left signal. He re-centers in the lane. I have a ton of oncoming traffic as I get within 500 feet of my driveway, on the left side of the road. I signal and hug the centerline, as usual. The bastard hammers and goes flying around me, within inches of my right saddlebag.

Normally, I am a sedate guy. I am not confrontational in any way, shape or form, despite having the presence associated with being 6'1", 235 lbs. (6'3" with boots). Something boils my blood on a bike when cagers get careless around me.

After this nut does this maneuver, I turn off my signal, and fully open the throttle bodies of the flat-six, which roars to life as the big black F6B leans back on her haunches and hurls forward. I hurried my way through the first two gears at wide-open throttle. The crackhead saw I was coming fast but he made it through a yellow light at the next intersection before I could get his plate number.

I was enraged.

I am not putting myself at risk anymore with people like this. 99.9998% of drivers are NOT like this around here...they wait for riders, give us space, and are generally respectful of our vulnerability on two wheels. That being said, this type of thing seems to occur about once or twice per riding season...these events that, regardless of my training, protection, caution or bike's visibility, still present great danger.

I have therefore made the decision to eliminate left turns from my commute. Both of the spots above are "hot spots" and are the only truly vulnerable locations on my drive home (none in the morning). Avoid the left turn into my driveway requires "going around the block", and adds a couple of minutes to my ride home. Small price to pay for safety.

[Sorcerer]

Hate to tell you when you hug the center line you are inviting exactly what happened to you. Right , wrong, indifferent. Claim your lane fully or get passed in it. I learned that a long while ago.

[VStarRider]

Hate to tell you when you hug the center line you are inviting exactly what happened to you. Right , wrong, indifferent. Claim your lane fully or get passed in it. I learned that a long while ago.

Interesting feedback. I will consider this. I have always thought the safest place to be was the centerline, to give cars who do not see you an option to avoid you at the last second instead of getting creamed.

However, by hugging the centerline, I wonder if I am making it worse by not only not establishing lane presence, but also by potentially blending into the oncoming traffic.

As for this specific situation, I do not think anything I would have done would have made a difference. He was determined to be an a-hole from the beginning.

[Pumper]

Agree...you own the whole lane...make it yours!
I ride the line in traffic, watching cars approaching me, normal drivers will move to their right as they approach. The ones that do not, I am shifting fast to the right side of the lane.

Left turns, I own the lane and will slide over to protect it. Remember we are invisible to cages, so make yourself seen and not smushed.

Pumper

[tenxxx]

YES,, when making a left turn I move to the right side of my lane. The crazies will pass you at full speed if you give them an inch.
And semi's are no different. ALWAYS looking for an escape route.
Things are so crazy now. I think the population growth is slowing. Who wants to bring babies into this mess.

[F6Bster]

Agree on crazy drivers. That being said, I think changing the route so that you avoid that left turn situation is a good idea. Could save your life.

There are many left turns to be avoided. I will often go a block or two to get to a traffic light when making a left turn on to a busy street or highway.

[Dweisman429]

I agree with both. As I am riding down the road under normal circumstances I do prefer to hold toward the center line.
At left turns I take the entire lane. I even do this in my other vehicles as well.
There is a spot close to home where there is just enough room for one car to squeek past another if the lead car is over left. Regardless of what I'm driving...my bike or my truck pulling a trailer...I hold to the right so none of the clowns get the idea to try and pass

[Draxsr]

I've read articles that speak about bikes getting tickets for being on the left side of the lane while waiting for a left turn. Obviously it varies from state-to-state, but check this for an example of where you're required to get in the far left side of the lane: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.290

[OlyF6B]

I've read articles that speak about bikes getting tickets for being on the left side of the lane while waiting for a left turn. Obviously it varies from state-to-state, but check this for an example of where you're required to get in the far left side of the lane: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.290

Not sure the RCW means "...stay to the left side of a lane..."

Excerpt..
(2) Left turns. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left shall approach the turn in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of the vehicle. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made to the left of the center of the intersection and so as to leave the intersection or other location in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction as the vehicle on the roadway being entered.

[3Chief]

Not sure the RCW means "...stay to the left side of a lane..."

Excerpt..
(2) Left turns. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left shall approach the turn in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of the vehicle. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made to the left of the center of the intersection and so as to leave the intersection or other location in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction as the vehicle on the roadway being entered.

What that particular RCW doesn't call out is that is illegal to pass on the right in WA except under specific circumstances. If I remember correctly generally you are only allowed to pass on the right when a vehicle is in a defined turn lane or in a carpool lane. The other acceptation, in WA, is you are allowed to pass a vehicle waiting to make a left turn on the right if you can safely do so without leaving the pavement. Visitors to the state will notice a large percentage of WA drivers will swing to the right before making a left to prevent you from going around them and if you do still have room to pass on the right if you hit the gravel shoulder you can be sited for it.