CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Hand Signals and multiple lane junctions: a query

(10 posts)
  • Started 11 years ago by Zenfrozt
  • Latest reply from Zenfrozt
  • This topic is resolved

  1. Zenfrozt
    Member

    Hi all,
    Just a quick question regarding multiple lane junctions and hand signals.

    Easiest way to do this is to give an example. I often ride through the junction from north bridge that crosses Princes Street/Waterloo place and then head down onto Leith street.

    There are three lanes to choose from, the one for turning left onto Princes Street, the one for turning right and then left down onto Leith Street and the one for turning right up Waterloo Place.

    If you're sat in the lane for going down Leith Street, should you signal right then left as you're following it through or just go sail through? I'm super confused as I've never seen cars do that but I got yelled at this evening for not using them. I'm concerned that I'm doing it wrong.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. Dave
    Member

    Here's what I have done for the last few years of commuting (at least, until we moved recently):

    I position myself in the middle lane, but at the centre/right side of it, to make sure that nobody is tempted to try and overtake pulling away from the lights.

    This leaves you with "only" two dangers, sometimes motorists will use the A1 lane (rightmost) to jump the queue then try to cut down to Leith St - and sometimes motorists will, bizarrely, try to undertake you from the middle lane as you turn right towards Leith St.

    You just have to make sure that you're in the way of the latter, and keep half an eye out for the former.

    I've never indicated to go through that junction (in either direction), and I don't think I've seen any other vehicle, whether car or bike, indicate either. The only folks who indicate are the ones who end up in the A1 lane and want to turn left down Leith St.

    If you think about it, you're in a mandatory right turn lane and then a mandatory left turn lane. Who would you be signalling to? Safety probably demands that you keep your hands on the brake levers anyway...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. SRD
    Moderator

    I certainly have done what you describe i.e. signal left to make sure cars know where I'm going.

    But as Dave says, you're in the lane. where do they think you're going?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. chdot
    Admin

    "If you think about it, you're in a mandatory right turn lane and then a mandatory left turn lane. Who would you be signalling to? Safety probably demands that you keep your hands on the brake levers anyway...

    +1

    I go that way several times a week and don't think I've ever signalled. It's always obvious where I'm going. Of course occasionally there are people who just don't like the fact that you are in front of them.

    This can be a problem if there is a bus stopped at the first stop (worse if there are two) and there is a 'race for the gap'.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. wingpig
    Member

    Never seen anyone signal in any type of vehicle going straight over and I prefer both hands on the bars there in case I hit that sunken utility access hatch.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. crowriver
    Member

    I go that way several times a week and don't think I've ever signalled.

    +1

    Given that the majority of drivers these days appear to have forgotten where their indicator controls are, I don't think a cyclist not signalling in this situation is any great sin.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. Zenfrozt
    Member

    Thanks guys, the incident late last night left me a little shaken and more than a little paranoid. I appreciate the advice as always.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. cc
    Member

    I don't know if it's practical for you or not but these days I simply avoid junctions (and roads) full of motor traffic on principle, because there's always conflict there waiting to happen. I tend to look for a quieter way round, one with far less cars, with the help of a route planner such as cyclestreets.net.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. wingpig
    Member

    What mode of transport was the yeller practising?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. Zenfrozt
    Member

    A small silver car Wingpig, not sure what make.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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