Intersections and Lane Spacing - Part 2
Did I ever mention that as a motorcyclist (and as a pedestrian, and a bicyclist, and as a motorist) I hate intersections? Yes I did, in Intersections Part 1. Too many accidents occur in them, most of which could have been avoided because of inattentiveness, inability to properly judge time and distance of other vehicles, not knowing or not caring about right-of-way rules, trying to “beat the light”, or any other host of inexcusable reasons. Yes, I love to hate them, however, we have to live with them, and know how to “space” ourselves as we approach the intersection and its “Danger Zone”, that area inside the intersection that you are most vulnerable to getting hit, whether you are driving, riding, bicycling, or walking. Your “radar” and the awareness around you have to be fully functioning while in here.
As you approach the intersection, and depending on your intentions, the lane space on the road you choose can be a significant factor in passing through the “Danger Zone” without incident. The following diagrams hopefully will help you in making smart decisions at an intersection, if you are not already doing so, or never really thought about it.
As you approach the intersection, and depending on your intentions, the lane space on the road you choose can be a significant factor in passing through the “Danger Zone” without incident. The following diagrams hopefully will help you in making smart decisions at an intersection, if you are not already doing so, or never really thought about it.
In "A", a single motorcycle is stopped behind the stop bar on the road, in the left hand space of the road lane. Stopping slightly behind the bar gives you more distance to be covered before entering the intersection in case you are hit from behind by another vehicle that did not stop in time. It happens! Keep an eye out behind you using your mirrors, be aware of other vehicles approaching, move forward to see around any obstacles at the corner to get a good field of vision, then proceed when safe to do so, staying in the left hand space of your lane.
In "B", the bike is going to make a right turn. Move to the right hand space of your lane, and a bit more if curbs, road dirt, potholes, etc. do not interfere. Angle your bike slightly (still be able to see behind you in your lane with your mirrors) and stay a bit behind the stop bar painted on the road (if not painted, envision one). By being angled, you are already preparing for the turn, but you are also set up in case that distracted driver hits you from behind. You will go into the intersection on an angle, not directly in to be broadsided. As you turn, stay in the right hand space of your lane, then after checking your mirrors and blind spot by turning your head, move over into the left hand space of your lane, and continue on down the road.
Example "C" has the bike making a left hand turn at the intersection. As you approach, you should be in the left hand space of your lane.If stopped, stay behind the bar slightly (why?), then when safe, make the turn so that you follow the left hand space of the lane you are entering. Do not swing wide as vehicles making a left turn in the other direction may end up in your path.
In "D", a vehicle has stopped at the intersection before you. If you are riding as a single bike, stop and stay back from the vehicle by 1 1/2 bike lengths or more, and angle your bike so that if your bike was pushed forward, it would miss the bumper of the vehicle, but only slightly. If an approaching vehicle from behind you does not stop in time or see you, and of course your radar and surroundings awareness lets you know this, you have an "out" so that you are not sandwiched between the two vehicles. (it happens here too!). Why not a steep angle out? You are trying to avoid a head on collision in case you do have to vacate, and want to stay in the space in the middle of the road. Note that if you are riding with another bike, that bike is occuping the right hand space in your lane, and angled slightly to the right for all the same reasons.
In "B", the bike is going to make a right turn. Move to the right hand space of your lane, and a bit more if curbs, road dirt, potholes, etc. do not interfere. Angle your bike slightly (still be able to see behind you in your lane with your mirrors) and stay a bit behind the stop bar painted on the road (if not painted, envision one). By being angled, you are already preparing for the turn, but you are also set up in case that distracted driver hits you from behind. You will go into the intersection on an angle, not directly in to be broadsided. As you turn, stay in the right hand space of your lane, then after checking your mirrors and blind spot by turning your head, move over into the left hand space of your lane, and continue on down the road.
Example "C" has the bike making a left hand turn at the intersection. As you approach, you should be in the left hand space of your lane.If stopped, stay behind the bar slightly (why?), then when safe, make the turn so that you follow the left hand space of the lane you are entering. Do not swing wide as vehicles making a left turn in the other direction may end up in your path.
In "D", a vehicle has stopped at the intersection before you. If you are riding as a single bike, stop and stay back from the vehicle by 1 1/2 bike lengths or more, and angle your bike so that if your bike was pushed forward, it would miss the bumper of the vehicle, but only slightly. If an approaching vehicle from behind you does not stop in time or see you, and of course your radar and surroundings awareness lets you know this, you have an "out" so that you are not sandwiched between the two vehicles. (it happens here too!). Why not a steep angle out? You are trying to avoid a head on collision in case you do have to vacate, and want to stay in the space in the middle of the road. Note that if you are riding with another bike, that bike is occuping the right hand space in your lane, and angled slightly to the right for all the same reasons.
Again, in "A", the bike is moving straight through the intersection. Bike is spaced in the left of the right hand lane, and will continue to do so after passing through.
As in "B" in previous diagram, bike is making a right habd turn, from the right hand space of the right hand lane. The bike then moves to the left hand space of the right hand lane when safe to do so.
In "C", the rider has moved to the left hand space of the left hand lane because of the left hand turn. The rider will enter the new lane in the left hand space of the left hand lane, but then, when it is safe to do so, move over to the right hand space of the left hand lane. Why? Motorists in the right hand lane will have a better chance to see you in their outside rear view mirror, and also allows you to see their face in that same rear view mirror and judge if they know you are there. Also, when you use your horn to signal the driver that you are passing them (after his face disappears from view in the mirror), it has a better chance of being heard. You do use your horn right? This makes a great case for having an air horn instead of the "meep-meep" horn that comes standard with most bikes.
With situation "D", if in the right lane, as in the previous diagram, angled bikes and prepared for the whatever is behind you. Moving forward, the red bike is in the left hand space of the right hand lane. The blue bike is in the right hand space of the right hand lane. If the situation places the riders in the left hand lane, the bikes continue to be angled with an out.
Through all your riding, especially at intersections, always be prudent about the "Danger Zone", and make sure that you are always aware.
As in "B" in previous diagram, bike is making a right habd turn, from the right hand space of the right hand lane. The bike then moves to the left hand space of the right hand lane when safe to do so.
In "C", the rider has moved to the left hand space of the left hand lane because of the left hand turn. The rider will enter the new lane in the left hand space of the left hand lane, but then, when it is safe to do so, move over to the right hand space of the left hand lane. Why? Motorists in the right hand lane will have a better chance to see you in their outside rear view mirror, and also allows you to see their face in that same rear view mirror and judge if they know you are there. Also, when you use your horn to signal the driver that you are passing them (after his face disappears from view in the mirror), it has a better chance of being heard. You do use your horn right? This makes a great case for having an air horn instead of the "meep-meep" horn that comes standard with most bikes.
With situation "D", if in the right lane, as in the previous diagram, angled bikes and prepared for the whatever is behind you. Moving forward, the red bike is in the left hand space of the right hand lane. The blue bike is in the right hand space of the right hand lane. If the situation places the riders in the left hand lane, the bikes continue to be angled with an out.
Through all your riding, especially at intersections, always be prudent about the "Danger Zone", and make sure that you are always aware.