From: ncherry@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (neil j.cherry)
Subject: Re: Politics of Cycling Speed
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 15:44:30 GMT

In article <724551734.AA05224@urchin.fidonet.org> Howard.Gerber@f88.n106.z1.fidonet.org (Howard Gerber) writes:
>Neil J. Cherry <ncherry@cbnewsg.cb.att.com>  writes:
>
> NJ> Well it looks like I got alot to learn then, I don't know if I
>	would or
> NJ> would not get in the left lane to cross El Camino, but I would
>	still be
> NJ> nervous about it.
>
> Neil, you only have three choices: 1) Don't cross El Camino; 2) Turn
>left
> from the right lane; or 3) Turn left from the left lane.
>

Well, I don't have to worry about crossing El Cammino, it too far a ride
from 'Jersey. (;-} thats a smiley, sorta humor, see below). Turning left from
the right lane is only to be done in New York (;-}). Actually the reason I
asked this was caused by an intersection where I live. This is a diagram:


			Parking Lot
	                 \        /
	==================+      +=======
	========       ==================
->	========+     +==================
	        |  |  |

	The arrow indicates the direction I'm going. The road I'm on is a 2 way
and I need to make a left into the parking lot. The road is busy in both
directions. Because of a light not shown, when I get to this intersection I'm
being passed by the traffic heading in my direction. Half of them will turn
right the rest continue on with half of them making the left and the rest going straight. Mean while the people coming out of the side street are going left
and right. If this looks very confusing it is. Normally I will ride on the rightbecause I'm being forced there. When I rode my MTB I could attain about 23 mph
on my road bike I can hit about 28 mph. If the traffic is light I'll having no
trouble holding the road to make the left. But if the traffic is heavy I'll be
forced right and a full stop to make that same left. I'm beginning to find this
to be VERY dangerous because anyone making the left will have a car following
that will zoom around right and try to go through me. I've been successfull in
get on the left quite a few times, but when traffic is heavy I'm forced right
by passing cars. Now remember that this is generally at night (I'm well lit,
and I wear all sorts of reflective material) and very poorly lighted.

> NJ> Any tips on how you go about doing it? (Books or maybe I should
>join a
> NJ> riding club).
>
> Yes, take an Effective Cycling class. If you don't know were to find an
>EC
> class, contact The League of American Wheelmen, 190 W. Ostend Street,
>Suite
> 120, Baltimore MD 21230-3755 or call them at (410) 539-3399.
>
> Second, read John Forester's book, EFFECTIVE CYCLING.
>
> Third, join a club so that you can learn from experienced cyclists.
>

It has been suggested and I will look into it. I hope to order the book soon,
one of the cycle shops near by.

> NJ> [P.S. I still think your on drugs. ;-} ]
>
> Believing that anyone who can perform difficult traffic maneuvers must
> have
> magical abilities, be insane or on drugs is all part of what Forester
> calls
> the "bicyclist inferiority complex."

John basically said the same thing, this time I was joking about my comment.
I still beleive that there are someplaces where it is nearly impossible or
very impractible to make a left in the lane. Usually it is on a section of
roadway which is now too poorly maintained or in use beyond it original design.
New Jersey has many of these kinds of areas. The best example is a crowded
traffic circle, in 'Jersey many are being removed. I hope they do the same in
Mass. Otherwise I find making a left hand turn by stopping at the curb,
dismounting and then attempting to cross to be even more dangerous. The reason,
drivers swearvingto avoid other vehicles making the left. I agree with what is
being said but I find that at times I can not practice them. That may mean I
just have more to learn or it may be that it is not possible in certain places
because of certain circumstances. I used El Camino as an example because I
knew John knew the area and if he says that he does it then I need to learn
the technique.

NJC