CalBike
  • About Us
  • Get Involved
    • Sign the petition: CA Needs the Bicycle Safety Stop
    • Sign the Invest/Divest Petition!
    • Volunteer
    • Join/Renew
  • What We Do
    • Be the first to Know: E-Bike Purchase Incentives
    • 2023 Legislative Watch
    • More…
  • Resources
    • Free Quick-Build Bikeway Design Guide
    • Learn to Bike at Any Age
    • Map & Routes
    • Crash Help
    • Register Your Bike
    • California Bicycle Laws
    • All Our E-Bike Work
  • News
    • Blog
    • CalBike In the News
    • Press Releases
    • CalBike Insider
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Driver Left Turn

Understanding the risks

As you approach an intersection or a driveway on your left, a driver coming toward you from the opposite direction makes a left turn across your path.

Using the 5 skills

These are the skills you use to reduce your risks when a driver makes a left turn in front of you:

Handling

  • You can ride in a straight line without swerving.
  • You can give a hand signal without swerving.
  • You can slow down or stop quickly without losing control of your bike.

Cooperation

  • You ride far enough out from the curb to be clearly visible and to show that you’re riding straight through the intersection or past the driveway.
  • You turn and look directly at the driver of the oncoming vehicle to indicate that you’re aware of them.
  • You signal to the other driver not to make the turn by shaking your head “No” and/or gesturing.

Positioning

  • You ride where a driver coming toward you can see you and understand from your position that you intend to ride straight ahead.

Responsiveness

  • You watch where the driver is positioned in the lane to see whether they’re preparing to turn left across your path.
  • If the oncoming driver begins to turn left across your path, you decide whether to slow down, make a “quick stop”* or an “instant turn” to the right to avoid a collision. (You decide in that order.) In preparing to make an “instant turn”, you scan to your right to ensure that you have a safe place to turn into. In a “quick stop”, you stop your bike safely in the shortest possible distance by using both brakes, if possible, and shifting your weight back on the seat. You can learn these skills in a bicycle safety class led by a certified instructor.

Protection

  • You know your helmet and gloves will prevent or reduce injuries in case of a fall.

Latest News

  • e-bikeE-Bike Purchase Incentives FAQsMarch 28, 2023 - 2:23 pm
  • CalBike succeeds in passing e-bike voucher bill in SenateFederal E-Bike Rebate Back on the TableMarch 21, 2023 - 10:28 am
  • Support AB 825 for Safe Passage for People on BikesMarch 17, 2023 - 6:25 pm
Follow a manual added link

Get Email Updates

Follow a manual added link

Join Calbike

  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Twitter
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Mail
  • Link to Instagram
About Us

Staff
Board
Financials & Governance
Local Partners
State & National Allies
Careers

What We Do

California Bicycle Summit
E-Bike Advocacy
Quick-Builds
2023 Legislative Watch

Take Action

Current Projects
Past Projects
Donate
Contact Us
Volunteer
Join or Renew

Resources

COVID-19 Bicycling
Maps & Routes
Quick Build Guide
All Resources

News

CalBike Blog
CalBike in the News
Press Releases
CalBike Insider

© California Bicycle Coalition 2023

1017 L Street #288
Sacramento, CA 95814
© California Bicycle Coalition 2023

Scroll to top