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166 Posts
Do you guys avoid left turns across traffic? Especially those that might require you to come to a stop in a busy lane to wait for oncoming traffic to clear?
I will rarely make a left across traffic. I will instead go to where I can turn right, to a parking lot perhaps, do a U-turn, back onto the main road and come back so I can make a right turn to my intended destination. There are times when this is not practical but I am of the mind that stopping in a left lane or single lane to make a left turn is Russian Roulette. Of course, if there is a protected left turn lane then I will use that or no oncoming traffic that requires me to slow or stop.
I figure the three places a motorcyclists are most vulnerable are:
1. Cages turning left across your path
2. Cages pushing into your lane
3. Cages rear ending you
Changing subject, I took a work related class recently and the instructor was an avid motorcyclist of the sporty type (as am I). So we talked motorcycles some and he asks me, recounting a story, he told me he was riding his Speed Triple and a fellow began pacing him (racing him). So apparently the kid (squid) took to riding beyond his skill level to keep up and went into the opposing lane on a curve and straight into a head-on with a car. Fatal for the squid and the car driver did have injuries as well. So he asks me straight up if this collision was his fault. Well, wanting to pass the course I gave a gentle answer, but, yes, it was partly his fault because he should have not raced with anyone on a public road. We are responsible for our own actions but there is no need either to tempt a fellow rider or encourage a race.
I will rarely make a left across traffic. I will instead go to where I can turn right, to a parking lot perhaps, do a U-turn, back onto the main road and come back so I can make a right turn to my intended destination. There are times when this is not practical but I am of the mind that stopping in a left lane or single lane to make a left turn is Russian Roulette. Of course, if there is a protected left turn lane then I will use that or no oncoming traffic that requires me to slow or stop.
I figure the three places a motorcyclists are most vulnerable are:
1. Cages turning left across your path
2. Cages pushing into your lane
3. Cages rear ending you
Changing subject, I took a work related class recently and the instructor was an avid motorcyclist of the sporty type (as am I). So we talked motorcycles some and he asks me, recounting a story, he told me he was riding his Speed Triple and a fellow began pacing him (racing him). So apparently the kid (squid) took to riding beyond his skill level to keep up and went into the opposing lane on a curve and straight into a head-on with a car. Fatal for the squid and the car driver did have injuries as well. So he asks me straight up if this collision was his fault. Well, wanting to pass the course I gave a gentle answer, but, yes, it was partly his fault because he should have not raced with anyone on a public road. We are responsible for our own actions but there is no need either to tempt a fellow rider or encourage a race.