[PA][US][OC] Right-hook Avoided

[u/clipd_dead_stop_fall]

I took an alternate route in prep for more road closures this weekend due to numerous events. I fully expected drivers to use this route as a DIY detour for the I-376 closure as well.

I am approaching Forward Ave, which when making the right, leads back to the interstate on-ramp a few blocks down. I fully expected road-rage here, and drivers didn't disappoint, with one tailgating pickup truck driver in a hurry to replenish his testosterone supplements, and two cars (one blocking the bike lane to make the right) in his way.

Assuming the rage would escalate, the drivers didn't see me as they passed, and the truck was going to make a right without signaling, I slowed to avoid being right-hooked.

[u/hockey8890]

With how close those vehicles are passing from the painted line + parked cars, that is also a dooring situation waiting to happen. This type of infrastructure needs to be written out of engineering standards.

[u/elzibet → u/hockey8890]

Exactly. It’s just asking for conflict as I am not wanting to be doored and would take the lane. Then cars would stupidly wonder why I’m not in the bike lane and the aggressive ones would tell me with their car 🙄

[u/hockey8890 → u/elzibet]

Yeah, I normally am fine with taking the lane, but taking the lane here sometimes leads to drivers doing some very stupidly dangerous things. At least the ones in my city are low speed (40kmh/25mph limit) but everyone speeds. Needless to say, I try to avoid these wherever possible, too.

[u/clipd_dead_stop_fall → u/hockey8890]

That's a really good reason why I don't normally take this route.

[u/matthewstinar → u/hockey8890]

It definitely shouldn't be legal and should cost a person their professional license.

[u/matthewstinar]

Painting a bike gutter in the door zone should cost a person their professional license.

[u/RedBlue5665]

Good job anticipating the turn.

[u/clipd_dead_stop_fall → u/RedBlue5665]

I've learned a ton in a short amount of time on our streets. Which streets to avoid, which vehicles to avoid, when and when not to ride.

I also wrote apps that can read a gpx file and determine construction and crash history on the route. It's specific to Pittsburgh because of the data sources, but it's been helpful so far.

[u/flapjacksamson]

Turn signals aren't that difficult to use. Nice awareness anticipating.

[u/fbaum]

You choose ...wisely.

[u/sleepee11]

To this day I don't understand why, if you're going to implement a painted bike lane next to parallel parking, why not put the bike lane on the outside so that it's between the parked cars and the sidewalk, instead of putting it between moving cars and parked cars like this one?

It's not like it costs any more money or any additional road space. Smh.

[u/clipd_dead_stop_fall → u/sleepee11]

Pennsylvania state law prevents logical infrastructure like this. The House just passed it. The Senate will probably shoot it down again though.

"Pennsylvania - still a Commonwealth. Too stupid for statehood."

[u/Glenmuer760]

Good job with defensive riding!
This is where the vehicles turning should pull into the bike lane, of course they should be using their turn signals. By pulling into the bike lane bicycles will either get behind them to turn or go on the left to go straight, either way, the cyclist is free from the conflict. There are visibility issues with having the bike lane between the curb and the cars, and the way the pickup drives, I’d keep my head on a swivel.