Stale Green and the Left-Turning Pickup
You are riding a 650cc bike west on a four-lane arterial at about 40 mph in the left lane. The speed limit is 45 mph. Ahead is a signalized intersection. The light has been green since you first saw it about 300 feet back, and there is no countdown or fresh-green indication. In the opposing left-turn lane, a pickup is waiting to turn left across your path. Its front wheels are slightly turned, and the driver is looking toward you. A car behind you is close enough that you can see its headlights in your mirrors. The sun is low in the west, and your visor has some glare. You want to go straight through the intersection.
1. Who has the right-of-way, and why is that not enough to proceed without caution?
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You have the right-of-way as the vehicle going straight; the left-turning pickup must yield to oncoming traffic. But right-of-way is not a force field. The pickup's wheels are turned, the driver may misjudge your speed, and the low sun can hide your headlight or make your bike hard to see. The green is stale, meaning it could change while you are committed, and the close car behind you limits how hard you can brake without being rear-ended. The correct approach is to keep your speed under control, cover the brakes, and be ready to stop if the light changes or the pickup moves. You do not accelerate to 'claim' the right-of-way.
2. What lane position and visual scan would you use approaching this intersection?
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If the right lane is open, I would move to it early and smoothly after a mirror and shoulder check, which puts more distance between me and the left-turning pickup. If I must stay in the left lane, I would avoid riding in the pickup's most likely path and keep a space cushion. I would scan the signal, the pickup's front wheels, the driver's eyes, the pavement ahead for oil or gravel, and my mirrors for the tailgater. I would not stare at the pickup; I would use brief, repeated checks. I would also watch for a pedestrian or cyclist who might change the light timing. The goal is to see the conflict early and have an escape path, not to assume the other driver sees me.
3. The light turns yellow just as you reach the decision point, and the pickup starts to turn. What do you do?
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I would not swerve into oncoming traffic or grab a handful of front brake. If I have not entered the intersection and can stop safely, I stop in a straight line with progressive braking, using both brakes. If I am already committed, I maintain a stable line, reduce speed as needed, and use the pickup's movement to decide whether to go behind it or stop before it. I would sound the horn if the pickup continues, but the priority is a controlled stop or a clear path, not winning the right-of-way. The tailgater behind me means I should brake early and progressively rather than late and hard, and I should check my mirror before stopping if there is time.