Almost got nailed by the famous lefty running the red...

[headshrink]

But here is what baffles me... it wasn't by a cager. My light was green, really green, but hadn't turned yellow yet. As I approached the intersection, watching carefully because I knew the light was close to going stale, I noticed a guy on a sport touring bike stopped in the opposing left-hand turn lane (I'm 90% sure he was stopped). As I entered the intersection, I noticed he was too. I'm pretty sure I was within the speed limit, and was half way through when it was clear to me that this guy was indeed moving, and committed to completing his turn. Other than us both being in the intersection at the same time, we didn't come THAT close, so no one got hurt. After we passed e/o, still in disbelief, I looked over my shoulder to see if it was a police bike (still trying to make sense of things), it wasn't.

Later, I am trying to rationalize what happened. I remembered twice in my life when I was stopped at a light to go straight, spaced out, and went against a red when the L-hand lane turns green..... stupid, but I did it twice, and have seen others do it. BUT This type of scenario doesn't seem to fit, since HE was in the L-turn lane, and the straight lanes had been green for some time...... So unless he got pissed that he couldn't trip the light, I don't get it, but there was oncoming traffic, so even that is hard to see. Who knows, at least no one got hurt, or paint jobs got scratched.

[00NissanNinja]

I guess he was trying to fake you out

[ally99]

Geez. Glad you're ok man. You'd hope at least other bikers would see us on the road!

[addy126]

Bets on the fact that the guy was really a "cager" and pretending to be a weekend bike warrior. Habits die hard, you just can't hide em.

[headshrink]

or maybe he stole it...

[bob706]

Originally Posted by headshrink

unless he got pissed that he couldn't trip the light, I don't get it

Was there traffic behind him?

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by bob706

Was there traffic behind him?

No, there wasn't.
However, I frequently use the opposing L turn lane, and I do know that my bike will not trip that light.

Of course we all know that if you are going to intensionally run a light, it is always best to LOOK for other traffic FIRST. This is another one of those things we learn in Kindergarten.

[Sailariel]

That "Left in front of you" is probably the most dangerous situation we all encounter. The only way I cope with it is to always approach slowly. If I see a left directional, I assume a panic stop stance-just in case. When I get through the intersection, I resume my normal speed. Also, I never do a yellow light. I move over and let the guy behind me, if there is one, do the yellow. The second worst situation is--person backing out of a driveway or person leaving a parking spot without using his signal or looking back. In town, I ride close to the centre of the road.

[headshrink]

Yes, good strategy....
I also tend to ease off the throttle at intersections, but I am usually thinking about cresting he center of the road (flying higher than my bike), and getting a good look at cross-traffic for LEO situational awareness. We would have to be careful about pulling to the right lane here, as it is illegal w/in 100' of an intersection.... but if you have someone breathing down your neck, it is better to stay alive, and possibly might give a defense in traffic court (in theory, not practice around here).

[peachdiddy]

I shake my fist at people like this. But with me, I'm a fat guy riding a lime green bike, c'mon! I'm not invisible!

[Blackwidow]

i'm totally lost with this story...but i'm still glad you're ok and so is the other dude on the bike.

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by Blackwidow

i'm totally lost with this story...but i'm still glad you're ok and so is the other dude on the bike.

It makes perfect sense in my head.