Road Rules: Turning Right Across a Bike Lane

When it comes to getting around Toronto, knowing the rules is one thing -understanding the reality is another. Building off of our popular Road Rules workshop, we took some of the most ambiguous situations between road users as determined by our members and followers, and put them into video form.
The Road Rules videos were generously supported by Toronto Hydro, The Echo Foundation, and Cycle Toronto Members.
Make a charitable donation: www.cycleto.ca/donate
More educational resources: www.cycleto.ca/cyclingresources

[@kookamunga2458]

This happens to me regularly in my small city . The driver of the car usually curses or gives me the finger after cutting me off. Some of the backward thinking folks living in the smaller cities think bicycle infrastructure is just a big city thing and don't want any good ideas especially from big city slickers .

[@sergpie]

I lived out in the country of Ohio, and when it was hot out, I really liked biking through the country. I’ve biked in Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, São Paulo and Los Angeles; I have never in my life been almost hit by a rig or cars as I did when I’d bike in rural Ohio. There’s something about driving where there is hardly a stoplight, let alone traffic, that gives drivers tunnel vision. Everyone is so focused on getting to the next state route or to their destinations, that they focus merely on their destination. In cities, people are alert and on-edge, which I think helps them keep an eye out.

[@adrianthoroughgood1191]

Indicate you are turning by using your indicators. That's what they are for. People travelling straight ahead always have priority over those turning (unless traffic lights say otherwise). If there is anyone crossing the road or cyclists approaching the road who could reach it before you have finished driving around the corner then you have to wait for them to pass first. The rule says when the path is clear. If either these things are happening then the path is not clear.

[@joelabella750]

As a full time bicyclist!?.... I've studied scenarios like this and prepared myself and learned to anticipate and so far!?....I'm still alive breathing and Im still in one piece!

[@georgeemil3618]

Several sections on the Danforth and University Avenue have strategically placed bollards to guide the car and prevent it from cutting off corners of bicycle lanes.

[@bullcrap9409]

Yep. And dunno if it’s me, but the pedestrian lights now seem to come on a few seconds before car gets a green light.

[@tradeo8899]

@@bullcrap9409Did you even watch the video?

[@PanRider939]

Simple rule of thumb. Basically the health and safety of other road users is your first priority no matter what you drive or ride. That includes your passengers and pillion.

[@SA-ld6tc]

Thank you so much for the valueable information. I'm going to pass my road test and it's what I was looking for.

[@WhereWeRoll]

How oblivious do you have to be to pass two cyclists them immediately cut them off?

[@futon2345]

Once he passed them it’s on the cyclists to yield to the car.

[@texasflood1295]

@@futon2345 I suspect that you cut a lot of people off while driving on the freeway.

[@futon2345]

@@texasflood1295 have you never driven in traffic? Merging and weaving is unavoidable especially in the city, you cannot get mad at drivers for merging!

[@texasflood1295]

@@futon2345 I know your type. Do you drive a BMW?

[@kittechno8401]

About average. Most people dont pay attention when driving

[@sergpie]

It’s so weird to me, how even decrepit cities in developing countries, are still able to budget for and build, dedicated bike lanes that have either bollards or concrete medians. In lieu of them; you’d think drivers would be able to overtake or merge through a bike lane safely, like they do on regular car lanes… This happens so frequently in my city despite reflectors and neon green lane designation.

[@thierrynolevaux9268]

Pedestrians, bicyclists and then auto drivers...that is the rank of importance on the road.

[@NithinJune]

it’s in order of vulnerability on roads

[@thierrynolevaux9268]

@@NithinJune Yeah...like I said, except some countries, which I won't name, believe the car goes before anything else.

[@sergpie]

@@thierrynolevaux9268 What I have found is that, in America, having a ball-and-chain is a precondition to freedom (ball-and-chain being the car). Freedom- at least in my opinion- pretends no possession or precondition for it to be enjoyed. Convenience in America has been crammed into the psyche of Americans as being freedom; convenience that usually is expedient to an employer or an errand or the spending of resources/money. (Most) Americans, in that regard, are illiterate as to the concept of freedom.

[@5688gamble]

@peek5548 Car right-of-ways have definitely created a sense of entitlement, yes! The idea that cars are so important that every privatelty owned car should be given access to every street, that multilane roads should exist at all, that cars should be given ANY kind of priority at all in any situation in a city is entitled! You take up the most space, you emit all the toxic fumes giving kids asthma, you make the streets unsafe to play in, you are why walking home drunk is potentially deadly, you are why I cannot go anywhere without constant vigilance and anxiety, you are the one hogging all of the space and leaving your ugly metal box wherever you please and you are the one drowning out the conversation I am having with my child and forcing me to keep a death-grip on his hand at all times, making going out with my child stressful rather than joyful! Yep, being entitled enough to drive everywhere isn't safe! Not just for you, but for EVERYONE, selfish things cars!

[@ssjbroly8735]

@@5688gamble Calm down jew, I don't think he disagrees, he literally understands pedestrian right-of-ways. The problem is Pedestrians don't even ensure their own safety TL;DR

[@davidschwarz1196]

If you are on two wheels of any type, it doesn't matter who is right and who is wrong, because you'll be the first one needing the emergency room. You MUST anticipate EVERYTHING. This DOES mean giving the right of way to larger vehicles that seem unaware of the new bicycle traffic conditions. It isn't something people experience everywhere, and big cities always have drivers from out of town on the road. Don't get upset, just realize that people are creatures of habit, and that it is on you to create new habits as a cyclist as others learn to navigate around you. I will be riding an ebike in a large city this coming year, and this will remain my mindset. I used to ride bikes all the time years ago, and I always realized that I shouldn't expect to take the right of way whenever i THINK I should be able to.

[@CedarSam]

Unfortunately the pro-cycling traffic rules put them in greater danger. They should be prohibited from passing on the right at intersections because that's where they get killed. They have to decide if they want special status or if they want to get home in one piece. Same with pedestrians and crosswalks. They should be prohibited from crossing until all vehicles have stopped. Do they want to have precedence or do they want to live?

[@Kasiarzynka]

Whenever I drive, I keep track of what's on my right and look over my shoulder when turning right, especially if I've waited because of a red light and someone might've approached from behind. Same with entering and leaving roundabouts, as well as glancing to the right when passing other cars and trucks on highways, in which case it's to make sure that no other car was "hiding" in front of it. Drivers need to remember that they're in control of literal killing machines. Your lack of caution can cost another person their life.

[@timothyhoekstra2604]

In California: "motorists must merge into a bicycle lane when making right turns"

[@mreese8764]

It's not even a joke. dmv California "A bicycle lane is a designated traffic lane for bicyclists. However, motorists must merge into a bicycle lane when making right turns."

[@Davmm96]

Been living in Montréal for 4 years so decided to visit toronto for 5 days and get around by rollerblading. My advice is: it's better to skitch the passenger window of a car in Toronto so the driver acknowledges your presence and you stop getting constantly passed by motor traffic. Also, right turn on red should be banned. Got almost hit crossing a street walking even though I was approaching from the left side of the car...

[@Neymarinet]

carheads be like "cyclists act like they own the road" also carheads:

[@didi95angel]

La minutul 03:00 ce faci, dat fiind că te afli pe porțiunea roșie din continuarea benzii pentru nemotorizate? Continui să mergi pe bicicletă chiar dacă te afli paralel cu trecerea de pietoni, nu? Și unde găsesc în lege informația asta, că nu reușesc să dau de ea?

[@Guardhousetv]

I am the guy on the bike. Dude turned into and now I'm in the hospital

"straight traffic before turning traffic" Before committing to the turn, and durig the turn, be ready to yield to straight traffic.

[@user-fed-yum]

If this is how you choose to explain the laws, no wonder so many get them wrong.

[@delftfietser]

The driver who enters space for the cyclist or pedestrian is now secondary to both.

[@ChrisHirner]

I got cars motorcycles bikes and scooters. The rule of the road here in the states is share the road with all of em. Slowing down to let cyclist pass isn't going to make you any later to wherever your going.

[@XxBlindoutxX]

If they just built flying cars this wouldn't be a problem

[@jimksa67]

Had a cabbie cut me off in Picton Ont last year and actually hit me in corner with no signal . They could care less here and the snoozy cops are useless when it comes to protecting pedestrians and bikers!.

[@selfincolor]

Slow down for every turns

[@futon2345]

If the car is in front of you turning then it’s on you to slow down and yield. To the car.

[@ablackney]

The vehicle going straight has the right of way. the same way one would be mad at a car that drove ahead of them just to get into their lane then turned in front of them. just because a car has its blinker on doesn't give it immediate permission to turn the car needs to make sure it is safe to do so before taking the action.

[@bullcrap9409]

Wrong. You can’t just turn in front of another car if it causes them to break. Same with bikes.

[@futon2345]

@@bullcrap9409 yes you can it's called merging or changing lanes

[@futon2345]

@@bullcrap9409 yes you can, it's called changing lanes or merging. Happens all the time. You need to be ready to brake as vehicles change lanes in front of you

[@rickyfox67]

passes on the left to make a right what a genius move

[@JimiLaMort]

He should have stated that the cars have to yield to pedestrians and cyclists, cause they the pedestrians and cyclists have the right of way.

[@Mooseracks]

Bike riders NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION

[@JoeJaJoeJoe]

The person in a 2 ton metal box has the most responsibility to pay attention.

[@Funk1880]

This is why you full enter the bike lane and hug the curb so they can pass on your left

[@true_world_inc6248]

I don't agree! You must turn on the bike lane 200 ft before turning on the right !! Misleading

[@AmtrakProductions]

The video shows what not to do

[@Distress.]

Both you and video are wrong. You're supposed to drive with your right tire on the bike lane the entire way while looking at your phone.

[@georgeemil3618]

One of the words in Bike Lane is Lane. When you change lanes (on the dashed lines), turn your head and check the blind spot. Make your lane change only when it's clear and safe to do so. Same best practices as when you normally change lanes in car traffic.

[@karikling6751]

Actually, cars should not be in the bike lane. The city should protect the intersection as well.

If it's a suggestion lane (dashed lines), then yes, adjust position on the road as close to the curb as possible.

[@carolgrier7774]

I just watched news that said ,what to do crossing at a crosswalk. It is simple. You are supposed to get off and walk it across. No need to change anything, learn the basic rules. You have never had the right to ride on through

[@tlekawa94]

Are you seriously suggesting getting off a bicycle and walking at every single intersection while riding in the street? That’s delusional

[@engchoontan8483]

Roads were meant for walking, trolleys, cycling, trucks, cars Side-walk was created for slower traffic. Faster traffic on roads. Sloping gradient for corner of side-walks is good to have. Pedestrains away from corners are a good practice. Freestyle-BMX jump skills are good to practice. Bicycle Tire with and circumference to avoid drain-gutters, rims and tire profile of cars to up-down kerbside... Faster than car Slower than car Why same speed as car.? Why squeeze.? Why passive-aggressive.? Because your bike is expensive and your other car is german sports.?

[@engchoontan8483]

Armour the traffic lights with bollards and spikes to see who want to passive-aggressive at corners

[@engchoontan8483]

Audi circa 5 years ago till date, rubber wedge squeeze "hand brake" sound. Friggin poverty sandwitched class cheap charlie (manufacturer) and probably aluminium cannot bore engine casing rs4 or something german sports merely money snob price tag...?

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

I already got one Cyclist on my scorecard. They rode in front of me on a Crosswalk. Cop commented that I wasn't upset about the Incident. I replied "It isn't my Fault", though I had to sue the Estate for the Repair Costs for my Car(Bikes aren't required to have Insurance, even though they want to be on Public Road where REAL Traffic is. The way Cyclists drive in my City, I will have several more on my Scorecard soon enough.

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

Cyclists should be required to STOP at Every Intersection, as they are Invisible at night, as 98% have no Lights, no Reflectors/Reflective Clothing

[@anonymousanonymously8216]

Having cyclists on the road with cars has got to be the dumbest idea ever, how is that safer then having cyclists on the sidewalk? When cyclists are on a sidewalk and hit a pedestrian walking, both the pedestrian and cyclist are still alive, might get a little scratch or cut but that’s it, cyclists on the road with cars, good chance a car can hit or even run that person over and they could be dead, so again, how are cyclists on the road safer then on the sidewalk?. I’m actually surprised that the government hasn’t made all cyclists get plates for their bike and get insurance just like a car. I’m sure some cyclists think because they are on a bike that the rules of the road don’t apply to them, I’ve seen many times just in my area alone where some cyclists continue on through red lights, don’t ride single file like they are supposed to, don’t use hand signals, as if the driver is a mind reader and knows which way you are turning, it’s because of stupid shit like that is the reason why some cyclists are getting hit by cars and the person riding the bike try’s to blame the driver.

[@Ezekiel_Burton]

Good luck cycling at any sort of pace on the sidewalk, let's have cars drive artificially limited to 10mph because it's safer for everyone. Let's just have everyone go super slow to their destination, why not, after all it's safer! Also update yourself on the rules of the road since almost everything you wrote is wrong. I don't have a hissy fit because people cycle when I drive, it's another form of transportation

[@grumpytuber]

so many idiots on bikes try to pass on the right. bikers need to know what the law actually is.

[@SaltySeattleCyclist]

Because that's where their lane is? The real idiots are the drivers who don't bother to check their surroundings and cut people off, which leads to accidents and severe injuries.

Cyclists are allowed to pass on the right when on bicycle lane and if vehicle indicates a left turn. Otherwise there's no point in cycle lane at all, since no bicycle would be able to pass traffic jams.

[@Ezekiel_Burton]

just go change lanes without looking see how that works out for you, it's a bike LANE. Drivers always want to blame everyone but themselves for their own conflicts

[@bullcrap9409]

Loony. Bikes legally are supposed to pass on the right.

[@happycamper1446]

Bike owners should pay road tax if they want to use the road. They are a menace to begin with.

[@CantFadeThisOfficial]

lmfao i failed my test first try bc of this bs did everything right just cuz i aint check my blind spots for a stupid bike thatg was not even there

[@andrewsneacker1256]

Bikes dont ruin roads xD And btw, there is no real federal road tax in the USA

[@francoluna1168]

There is no such thing as road tax + the weight of cars and motor vehicles deteriorates roads much more than bikes do. Licenses are a privilege and you very clearly don't deserve yours if you're this ignorant about how roads work.

[@happycamper1446]

@@francoluna1168 your not too bright, are ya? Bicycles are a menace on the roads, always were. Damage roads? We as automobile owners, pay for that through taxes in fuel, licences, and insurance. Do your homework.

[@francoluna1168]

Nice switchup there. You very clearly said road tax in your first comment -- when road tax doesn't exist. Every tax payer, whether motorist or cyclist, pays a share of our roads. Sounds like you're the one who needs to do your homework because you look foolish right now.@@happycamper1446