Right hook? [View all]

I recently moved to Los Angeles after living in rural Sedona, AZ for 20 years. To say that I had to re-learn to drive all over again is an understatement!

I'm adjusting well for the most part but I'm still unclear about how to handle right turns across a bike lane when it is occupied by a bicycle. This happens almost every day. The letter of the law states I must "merge into the bike lane" before turning right.

Turning Across Bicycle Lane-21717. Whenever it is necessary for the driver of a motor vehicle to cross a bicycle lane that is adjacent to his lane of travel to make a turn, the driver shall drive the motor vehicle into the bicycle lane prior to making the turn and shall make the turn pursuant to Section 22100. Added Ch. 751, Stats. 1976. Effective January 1, 1977.

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21717.htm

I've noticed even after using my right turn signal and merging on several occasions bicyclists have passed me on the right! I've had two near misses and I'd be apoplectic if I hit someone on a bike not to mention what my 2000 pound car would do to him. The first time was a night on very busy Venice Blvd! I was loudly cussed out by the bicyclist.

Who's got the right of way in this situation? Do I slow behind a bike for hundreds of feet before my turn? I've just made it a habit to check my right side mirror one more time just before I make my turn.

I also have difficulty with all the parallel parking on the road sides. The bikes have to get into the right car lane to get around them. I slow behind the bikes until I can safely pass only to get honked at by the people in cars behind me. I'm supposed to give the bikes three feet of space, right? Better to get honked at than hit my super healthy environmentally conscious fellow commuters.

I just want to do the right thing. Can the DU bicycling group offer some advice for this brand new Angelino?