Daniel Convissor's Website

Cyclists: How to Avoid Having Motorists Turn In Front You

When the vehicle is going to turn and they are still be behind me, I'll give a hand signal by sticking out my arm at a 45 degree angle downward, claiming this lane and notifying them to stay in their place. If the driver is next to me I'll look at them and put out my arm straight ahead. If I can tell they're pushing their luck, or me, I bang on the car and tell them to stop. Pretty effective.

On another note, where I place myself on the road has tremendous importance. On avenues that have multiple lanes, I generally ride on the white dividing line between the first and second moving lanes, leaving a moving lane between me and the parked cars. This way, if a motorist wants to turn, they use that inside lane and don't have to turn past me, I just keep going straight. This also helps me avoid car doors, parking cars and double parked cars.

I generally stick to the left hand side of avenues too, for the buses stick to the right hand side of the street.

Up to the Bicycle Page