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

[acc]

The best thing to do: Take the Confident City Cycling Classes offered through WABA.
Learn the law, the rules, and strategies for handling traffic in a way that makes you predictable to drivers and keeps you safe.
Three quarters of riding in traffic is understanding how to adjust your riding to fit the traffic and weather conditions.

Best wishes, ride safe.

[creadinger]

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…

[culimerc]

I try to follow the principles behind the “Idaho Stop“

for direct answers to your questions;
#1- I will filter up towards the front, keeping an eye on the turn signals. If there’s a break in traffic and a number of cars start to turn left, I find someone who’s signalling left and basically draft the passenger side of the car, signalling my intent to turn left to the car behind, swinging wide as I go through the intersection.
If crossing traffic is heavy, and I manage to filter all the way to the front, I set up on the right side of the lane and signal to the car behind, and swing wide as I go through the turn.

I’m comfortable with this method; some people maybe less so. It allows cars to get around me for most of the actual turn. If your not comfortable with this, I would set up in the passenger side tire track of the lane and force the cars to actually go around you. This is probably safer in the long run and is legal I believe.

#2 See the Idaho stop above. Filter forward, try to stay out of the gutter as much as possible, it doesnt allow for any margin of error or an escape route if needed. Slow at the stop sign. Yield to appropriate traffic, then proceed. If someone has to step on the brakes because you’ve surprised them, maybe you should ease up a bit.

#3 As long as I can cross an intersection without oncoming traffic even think about touching the brakes, I’ll usually do it. But if someone even just checks their speed a little bit, they’ll be cursing you over the coffee machine at work for 2 weeks. I try not to be that guy’s example of the damn bikers.

Ride safe and enjoy.

[Certifried]

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.

[jabberwocky]

#1: Sometimes. Kinda depends on the intersection and length of the line. It does tend to annoy drivers, even if it doesn’t actually hold them up. My main worry would be drivers in the left turn lane suddenly deciding they want to turn right and switching lanes; odds are decent they won’t notice you filtering up.
#2: I will do this, with the definition of “blowing through” being “slow to 5-10mph and confirm the intersection is clear”. Note this isn’t actually legal, so don’t whine if a cop nabs you. :p I don’t see it as particularly dangerous though, as long as you make the “slow and look” part of the routine so you don’t get complacent and run the stop sign when you shouldn’t.
#3: I rarely run actual red lights. I have a few around my house that are sensor operated and lightly trafficked; those I’ll treat as a stop sign and run when they are clear (after stopping). If its a long light and the intersection is clearly empty, odds are I’ll proceed through after stopping though. Again, not legal, no whining about tickets.

[DismalScientist]

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.

[creadinger]

@Certifried 34906 wrote:

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

After the PMC up in MA we picked up a bumper sticker that says – “Same Rules, Same Rights, Same Roads” and has a bike on it. Not 100% sure of the order, but it means the same thing. It’s kind of along the lines of what you’re saying but yours is for a cyclist audience whereas this is for a driver audience.

[TwoWheelsDC]

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.

[txgoonie]

I would just try to remember that you’re a cycling advocate 24-7, so something that might seem like no big deal might be yet another reinforcement of a pissy driver’s perception that all cyclists are scofflaws. Just be sensitive to our uphill battle to coexist with motor vehicles.

#1 – I’m cool with that; I’d just be ultra careful. Folks will not be checking their mirrors, I can guarantee. #2 – see my above point. You don’t have to put your foot down, but proceeding on your merry way without some acknowledgment of the stop sign will piss drivers off. Cyclists ignore stop lights on Potomac Ave in CC all the time in a situation similar to this — without even a break in pedaling or a nod toward the intersection. It gets my hackles up less b/c of safety (it’s generally safe to blow the light) and more b/c of the message it sends to our opposing demographic. #3 – if there’s no reason for you to blow that light aside from you just want to get across faster, I’d say that’s a no go. Cars wait at lights. Bikes can wait at lights, too.

[Terpfan]

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.

[Dickie]

I commute every morning and evening but I drive a large vehicle during the day for my work. I try to ride thinking about both sides of the coin. In terms of legal vs. illegal, I think that has been answered pretty adequately already. What you need to think about is what drivers expect of other vehicles on the road and how predictable your movements and decisions are. As a driver I find it really difficult to adjust to cyclists who ride in/with traffic but break the laws for convenience. When a cyclist splits traffic while I am driving I become very nervous about their intentions and if they understand the limitations of my vehicle. When riding I stop for ALL lights and wait for the green, even with no traffic present, it just isn’t worth the risk and I believe as cyclists we must lead by example. It just takes one person to see the infraction and make an assumption about cyclists. I have said this before on the forum and it is my biggest complaint about other cyclists. I will stop at a light with traffic behind me, to have a fellow cyclist approach from behind, weave through traffic and “blow” through the light. I can tell you from experience seeing all the drivers shaking their heads and fists that this gets our cause NOWHERE and it makes my life less safe.

Stop signs are my achilles heel, I slow considerably with the intention of stopping, and if ANY traffic is present I stop. If I am completely alone and it is the zombie apocalypse I will perform the Idaho roll.

Be safe and lead by example, your convenience is not a excuse to break the law or be unpredictable…. I leave that for the runners in the bike lane!

[Amalitza]

#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.

[dasgeh]

I’d just add that “filtering”–riding on the right to pass stopped cars — is legal in Virginia. When people are saying #2 is illegal, it’s the blowing through the stop sign part that you can get the ticket for, not the filtering part.

On the “what do you do” vote, I:
#1 – like others, do this, but very, very carefully.
#2 – filter to the front, but stop at the stop sign
#3 – stop at all stop lights, almost always for the length of the entire red (though when there’s no one else around and I don’t think the light will change soon, I may have ridden through a few reds).

The other thing I’ll add that hasn’t been said: Another reason that I follow the rules, even when the rules don’t seem to make sense for me is that I want DRIVERS to do the same. There are lots of rules about drivers riding around cyclists (take the 3 foot pass, for example) that some drivers may not understand. If they take the attitude “this rule is dumb so I won’t follow it”, they make me less safe. So I agree that a full stop (v. an Idaho stop) is a dumb rule for cyclists, but I’ll do a full stop, just to promote the rule of law.

[cephas]

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.

[hoppy]

Wow, thanks everyone for the replies and tips, I do appreciate it.

#1 – Glad to hear that I’m not a pariah for doing this. Biking home tonight, there were at least 20 cars in line waiting to go left at the stop sign. When I saw that line, I thought, “It would be crazy for me to sit in that line. And if I did, then I’d probably manage to fall over thanks to my clumsiness with clipless pedals.” So I moved to the front, stopped completely, made eye contact with the first driver in the line going left, signaled, and did a “wide turn” where I basically ride almost straight to the curb, then veer left. This gives the car(s) plenty of room. This seems to be the consensus.

#2 – I probably should not have said “blow through” the stop signs; what I do is more like the “Idaho stop”. The only time I really “blow through” the stop sign is if there are literally no cars, and I always yield if there’s another car that has the right-of-way. When it’s more crowded, I usually try to time my crossing to go with another car that’s going in my direction; I feel like doing this is actually doing the other cars a favor since I don’t “waste” one turn at the intersection. Plus I feel like if I go with another car, it “protects” me from the drivers at the other parts of the intersection.

#3 – I think I went through maybe one red light. That was after I came to a complete stop and there were no cars anywhere in sight. I’ll just stay there and catch my breath. It’s not worth it.

Again, thank you everyone. I am trying to be an ambassador for all cyclists so I do want to be respectful. One of my biggest pet peeves when I drive a car is erratic pedestrians who just jaywalk across the road, not in a crosswalk, without even considering oncoming cars—as a driver, it’s dangerous because I may need to slam on the brakes or veer, which could cause a crash. So I don’t want to do that to another driver when I’m on my bike. In my 6 weeks of biking to work, I have been very gratified at how polite and accommodating the cars have been to me. I was nervous about biking to work but I’ve only had good experiences so far. I hope I haven’t jinxed it.

[Author]

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