Hook Turns Whilst on a Push Bike - Melbourne Specific

keyman on 08/11/2016 - 23:28

So this afternoon I was performing my daily commute home from work and in the middle of the ride, I copped some very colourful abuse from another cyclists whilst performing a hook turn. I've created this topic to gather your opinions on whether I was in the wrong or not as I would like to correct my actions if so.

So I was cycling west down La Trobe Street in Melbourne, when I approached the intersection at William Street, I pulled my bike over to the right, just in front of the line markings for cars to perform their hook turns into William Street. Now when I do this, I usually do a right-turn hand signal and start to slow down, then I would look over my shoulders to check if other cyclists are behind me; if they are, I will let them pass first before turning right across the bike lane.

In my case today, there were no other cyclists behind me so I pulled up next to the hook turn line markings for cars. I waited at the lights for sometime before I spot a cyclist coming towards me halfway down the block. I saw the other cyclist start flipping me the bird so I thought maybe my rear wheel was still in the bike lane so I inch forward a bit. This does not stop the faint shouting I here so I pointed to the bike lane behind me and tried to gesture there's enough space to pass. Instead, when he approaches, he over takes me on the outside of the bike lane and hurls abuse at me that I should "stay in the effing lane". I didn't get a chance to explain my situation as he rides off into the sunset.

I have a feeling he probably thought I came from William Street and didn't know I was doing a hook turn… But I just want to confirm if what I am doing is correct when performing hook turns on La Trobe Street?

I've drawn up a diagram on what unfolder to illustrate what I'm talking about here:
http://imgur.com/a/Ka8Du

I look forward to reading your opinions!

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • rambutann on 08/11/2016 - 23:40

    I would have personally pulled into the bike stopping position if you were to be going straight along William street, as in if you were in front of the other cars, that way you are out of the way of everyone. But in your diagram the other cyclist should have probably gone behind you rather than in front of you. If you were a car and I were a cyclist I would be riding around the left side of the hook turn so that I don't get hit when they go to perform the hook turn.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/11/2016 - 23:43

    Are you still meant to use hand turning signals on a bike? Seems like an 80s thing to do.

    Your situation is a bit complex/each way in my view. Many laws are grey with respect to cyclists, such as cars turning to park over a cyclng lane. Probably safest to occupy the full lane like a car. I always head check while riding.

    PS practise your short version abuse insults too, so you're not left hanging :p

  • neil on 08/11/2016 - 23:47

    You always move to the left whether driving a car or riding a bike so faster traffic can pass ON THE RIGHT of you. Thus you should have been on the far left of the bike lane where the 2 lines intersection. When the opposite light goes green, you go with the traffic. That's what I would do as I ride in the city every once in a while but that's just what I find safest.

    • keyman on 08/11/2016 - 23:55

      I find that I never had this problem come up before because there are usually cars performing hook turns and I'd be in front of them waiting to hook turn as if I was a car as well but today there was no car.

      As rambutann points out, he would have gone into the bike stopping position of William Street; but in this scenario, pedestrians would have a green light and I would have to cross through them to reach that bike lane.

      You point out that I should stay left of the La Trobe Street bike lane but sometimes cars don't stop in good positions and the bike lane is cramped as it is, it creates a tight path for other cyclists to go through.

      However I think you are right, it's probably safest if I stick as left as possible whilst waiting for my hook turn.

      • neil on 09/11/2016 - 00:01

        Yeah, there aren't going to be steadfast rules that work in every situation. You just have to do what's safest. On non-hook turns where there is a bit of traffic, I generally ride up to the line before the crosswalk or before the crosswalk between the car lane and crosswalk just wait for the opposite green light. Doesn't make my trips any slower and saves me from having vehicular traffic trying to turn at the same time as I do.

  • apple2016 on 09/11/2016 - 08:13

    What you did appears correct to me. Not sure what pissed of the other cyclist.
    Also cyclist are allowed to perform hook-turns on all traffic lights in Victoria unless otherwise signed.

  • DavoW on 09/11/2016 - 08:52

    Take it with a grain of salt, other cyclists (speaking as a cyclist myself) can be idiots at times. You've tried to do what you can to be safe and courteous, and I probably would have done the same in your situation.

    Cheers.

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