Approaching Intersections

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TorontoBoy · #11 Post by **TorontoBoy** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:30 am

Left hand turners are the most likely killers of bikers in the city (Hough's Proficient Motorcycling), so I pay attention. Strategies for Intersections:

1. Speed up or slow down to use a cage as a blocker. The cage can be in front or behind you, it does not matter because you are deemed invisible to the left turning cager. The left turner is less likely to take out another cage.
2. move into the right-most lane
3. If you're in the left lane, move into the right side of your lane
4. slow down, cover the brake, be prepared to stop
5. If I see the car advancing even a little, I hit the horn (dual Fiam Freeway Blaster hi/low)
6. Look both ways before going through the intersection. Ensure a cage won't run a red and t-bone you.

Notes: Do not ride behind a large vehicle. Do not ride in a cage
s blind spot.

ofblong · #12 Post by **ofblong** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:48 am

I ride like normal..... not exactly sure how I deal with them cause I just ride and take each "issue" as they happen. I am, however, always looking for ways OUT of any possible situation.

flynrider · #13 Post by **flynrider** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:42 pm

I always try to have a cage next to me before entering the intersection. If it means slowing or speeding up a bit, I do it. There's safety in numbers (especially if the other numbers are big heavy cages).

When a cage is at an intersection waiting to turn left, there is one thing that they'll do a few seconds before pulling out in front of you. They'll start cranking that steering wheel to the left. If you keep your eyes on the cages front wheels, you'll likely get the second or two of reaction time you need to avoid an impact.

#14 Post by **jaskc78** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:36 pm

slow down, watch them like a hawk, and project the mental image of them being brutally beaten to death if they even think about turning in front of me and don't kill me.

just me, though, and i think i have anger issues.

PacificShot327 · #15 Post by **PacificShot327** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:03 am

jaskc78 wrote:
just me, though, and i think i have anger issues.

Hm... and I always thought that attitude was perfectly normal...?

#16 Post by **jaskc78** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:25 pm

it is normal for me, but i've been told on many occasions that i normally have very angry and violent solutions to problems.

it always seems to work out, though, so i must be doing something right.

PacificShot327 · #17 Post by **PacificShot327** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:28 pm

jaskc78 wrote:it is normal for me, but i've been told on many occasions that i normally have very angry and violent solutions to problems.

it always seems to work out, though, so i must be doing something right.

I don't see anything wrong with it. In fact, I'm a big supporter of violence. It helps control the population levels!

And I'm perfectly normal. It's the rest of the world that I'm concerned about...

TorontoBoy · #18 Post by **TorontoBoy** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:25 am

jaskc78 wrote:slow down, watch them like a hawk, and project the mental image of them being brutally beaten to death if they even think about turning in front of me and don't kill me.

just me, though, and i think i have anger issues.

It seems quite reasonable to me, after someone attempts to kill you with their vehicle as a weapon. Somehow cage drivers don't see the danger under their control.

#19 Post by **jaskc78** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:14 pm

i was reminded again that i have anger management issues. not sure if i mentioned it on these forums or not, but a while back there was an inter-office prank war going on that was escalated to the point that a Captain started heading for my truck. he was about 30 yards away and i yelled for him to have fun and enjoy the convalesce leave if he tried anything.

took him a minute, but he caught the reference to convalescent leave and it was mentioned at work today when someone whom i've worked with since 2001 told me that one of these days she'll enjoy seeing me lose it and actually carry out one of my many threats of physical violence. apparently she heard some of the bar fight stories from my first year in Korea when the rules weren't as strictly enforced and i wasn't nearly as bitter and angry as i am now.

green meenie · #20 Post by **green meenie** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:00 pm

Seems a lot of the things I think are important to fucus on in this situation have been covered by a lot of you as well.
These are my focus points:
#1 - heightened sense of awareness when on a bike compared to in a cage. I think that is maybe the most effective defense tool.
#2 - using cages as blockers going into an intersection as left turners will be more likely to see a cage than you on your bike.
#3 - I have always felt being as far to the right as possible gives me the option of swerving left if necessary through the intersection to avoid hitting a left turning cage is better than being far left with no alternate line.

Not sure about the rocking of the bike entering the intersection. Could also flash hi-beams but don't know if that gets their attention either.

Ride safe people and be aware out there