Biking etiquette – passing stopped cars? Going through stop signs?

All three of those scenarios are things that I would be comfortable doing on a regular basis with some caveats. First, realize that #’s 2 and 3 (not sure about #1) are illegal and if you get pulled over and given a ticket you can’t complain.

Otherwise, especially with scenario #1 as long as I’m not being the guy that pulls in front of a bunch of people, slowing them down then there’s no reason for me to sit in a line of traffic. If there’s room to make a wide pass and then room on the shoulder once you’ve made the turn then I’d do what you do. Besides, if cars can lane split to pass me, then I feel like I can line split to avoid heavy traffic.

For #2 there are a few places in Crystal City where I may or may not do this. Depends on how busy the area is but generally since there can be no cross traffic and you’re all the way to the right then theoretically you should have a clear path. Does not mean that will always be the case.

For scenario #3 I wonder what you mean by “blow through” the stop light. If you mean slow down to 3mph or stop then proceed through the red when you’re sure it’s clear – yes I would do that. Some people consider that blowing through too, but at least you’re safe(ish) about it. You cannot get complacent and assume it will always be empty though.

In all of these situations it may help to put yourself in the shoes of a driver or another cyclist and think about how you would react if you saw someone doing what you do…

I’d take the lane. Now, that’s not quite as easy to do if you “filter” past all the stopped cars to the right of them, then cut in and take the lane in front of someone who finally got their chance….

I’d also suggest making eye contact with the drivers around you if possible, and make a signal when they see you so they know exactly what you’re going to do. More often than not, I find that if I ride courteously, make eye contact with drivers and signal my intention, they will 95% of the time yield to me, or at least slow down and drive carefully around me. It’s that 5% that you really gotta watch out for, maybe they didn’t actually see you, maybe they changed their mind at the last minute and pull the dreaded right hook, or maybe they’re sadistic sons of bitches who want to crush you and then tell the cops you were making an illegal turn. That’s why you need to stay alert.

In summary, be predictable, be alert, and be lawful. Damn, I bet someone could make a great slogan from that.

as for the stop signs, I’m not going to touch that one. There are a number of vocal folks who will, shortly, be offering their very clear opinion on those stop signs All I can do is tell you what I do. I almost always stop. Almost always. There are a few I’ll “idaho”, but even the one I’m specifically thinking of is there because it’s a ped cross, and bikes must always yield to peds. So I do, at least, slow considerably so I can react if I missed seeing someone crossing (or see that cop at the last second).

red lights? 99.9% I never run them. If it’s sensor activated and doesn’t pick me up, I might run it depending on what’s around and the road conditions, but more often than not I’ll limp over to the ped signal and press the button to wait my turn. That’s just me and my paranoia about getting crushed by that silent electric car driver who is texting.

All three are likely illegal. All of them are likely safe. This is what I do.

#1: I’ll turn left sharing a lane but only if the receiving road has at least 1 and one-half lanes. Drivers often don’t understand what you are doing and will be uncomfortable since they think that you may be stupid enough not to take the turn wide. Use the turning vehicle as your clue. Do not start to turn left until after the car behind you turns left.

(That said, do not do this at the corner of Wilson and Lynn if there is a police officer there. They do not like it.:rolleyes:)

#2 I don’t know what you mean by “blow through” a stop sign. Filter through stopped traffic and slow sufficiently that you can easily stop by putting your foot down and then proceed through the sign.

#3 I wait at all red stoplights.

First off, welcome! And kudos to you for commuting through Tysons, I know that area is pretty intimidating for cyclists. I pretty much agree with creadinger. Filtering to the front of a line of stopped cars is legal and, assuming you do it cautiously, can actually be safer for you and less frustrating for drivers. Putting yourself in front of a line of cars generally is safer than trying to ride within a line of cars from a stoplight, and I think it’s better to have cars going around you on the far side of the intersection rather than the near side.

With stop lights, I’m more in the “cyclists generally should suck it up and stop” camp, but there definitely are exceptions (for instance, a T intersection where I’m in the through lane, or at lights that are sensored and won’t change for cyclists if there aren’t cars around). I do, however, tend to treat stop signs as yield signs, but only if there aren’t cars on the cross streets.

Not advising on the legality part, but:

#1: I would do it very cautiously since the vehicle turning left may not see you or may think you’re turning right. When cycling, shoot even driving or walking, I tend to assume others will do the dumbest thing possible. It allows me to anticipate when they actually do the stupid thing.

#2 I don’t know about blow through so-to-speak because many drivers in this area don’t use their signals and while they should see you, often times (especially around dusk) they’re searching for headlights and not for cyclists or cyclists with a small light. I tend to be more of a fan of the Idaho stop in this regard.

#3 Generally I don’t think running reds is a good idea. There is one exception I will do. In the mornings when the Slaters Lane@GWP goes green heading westbound (toward Buzz/Rustico) I will usually cross then as it’s actually safer than waiting for all the folks who are in a mad rush to cross going the other direction to get onto parkway.

#1) I would filter up, and turn very wide (basically start out going straight across the road and only start to turn left at the very end). My opinion on filtering is the same as creadingers “ if cars can lane split to pass me, then I feel like I can line split to avoid heavy traffic” with the caveat that I don’t pass on the right cars with their blinkers on to turn right (for my own safety), nor do I pass cars waiting to get through an intersection if the lane past the intersection is going to be too narrow to let them pass me back again (in order to not be a jerk).

#2) I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with a “rolling stop” even in a car if the way is clear, let alone on a bike, but absolutely slow to speed where you *can* stop if necessary and yield to other traffic like you would if you completely stopped (rolling stops are, however, illegal for both cars and bikes, so you are open to getting a ticket for it).

#3) I don’t run red lights.

Ultra-carefully, and showing that you’re respecting others’ right of the way. I think most drivers get upset more by feeling disrespected than anything else. If you are cautious to slow down enough that they know you’re not taking anyone else’s right of way, I don’t think you’ll ruffle too many feathers. All the laws and signs are to promote the safe flow of traffic. Respect, and you’ll be respected.