Turning left at intersections

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NuggyBuggy

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Situation: I'm sitting in an intersection waiting to make a left-turn. Lo-and-behold, when I start to make my turn, I find a car making the same left-turn INSIDE ME. One time it was a mid-20s Uber eats delivery guy, one was an older guy in a mini-van.

This has NEVER, EVER happened to me before on a car OR a bike (or bicycle, for that matter), but has now happened to me twice within two weeks since I started regularly riding a Vespa - once in North York, and once in Newmarket. I know I'm not riding any differently. There was no honking or fingers thrown at me, no signs even of awareness on their part - they just looked like it was business as usual.

What's going on here? Incipient aggression towards vehicles that look like e-bikes? If this keeps happening I'm going to have to wait for the left at the white line instead of in the middle of the intersection.
 
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Crazy. Only thing I can think of is they are clueless to the rules and they cut the corner tighter. If it was me I would position my self still ahead of the white line but not as far out and a little more centre of the "lane".
 
Driver is being a a-hole, period.

Always try to expect the unexpected and try and position yourself to block them, of course with your safety in mind.
Some level of eye contact might help as well. Let them know you see them and hopefully they back off. Horn as well.

It's nuts out there drivers are taking more and more shortcuts with no regard for others.
 
tat2 said:
Crazy. Only thing I can think of is they are clueless to the rules and they cut the corner tighter. If it was me I would position my self still ahead of the white line but not as far out and a little more centre of the "lane".
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I believe they could be clueless to the rules. I just don't understand why it's happened twice to me in such a short time. The only thing that's changed is my ride of choice.
sburns said:
Driver is being a a-hole, period.

Always try to expect the unexpected and try and position yourself to block them, of course with your safety in mind.
Some level of eye contact might help as well. Let them know you see them and hopefully they back off. Horn as well.

It's nuts out there drivers are taking more and more shortcuts with no regard for others.
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Each time I was in the proper position. These guys were cutting the corner way inside the proper turning lane and completely unexpectedly, while I'm in my turn. I know the first time I was in a centre-turn lane. Not sure about the second time. My kids asked me why you need to bother shoulder-checking in that situation when there shouldn't be anyone there... I told them this is exactly why.

I'm trying to make eye contact with these guys but they're just happily eyes forward. Honestly, if these guys were flipping me off or glaring at me, I might have thought I did something wrong. I didn't honk because if they straightened out, they're going to do so right into me.

I considered that maybe they just didn't see me, but I've got a day-glo yellow helmet so I don't think that's likely.
 
You need a better blocking position. If cars are going inside to, you’re probably too far right. I find the best blocking position is having your bike to the left track, but pointed straight thru the intersection, never in the direction of your turn - if you get bumped your in the live lane.
 
Mad Mike said:
You need a better blocking position. If cars are going inside to, you’re probably too far right. I find the best blocking position is having your bike to the left track, but pointed straight thru the intersection, never in the direction of your turn - if you get bumped your in the live lane.
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These guys were definitely turning inside the proper turning lane, and nobody has ever done that to me, but I'll take that advice to heart.

I recall Young Drivers back in the day our instructor told us that you have your wheels turned left if you're in a left-turn lane with a cutout, wheels straight if there is no cutout. The argument for the latter was if you got rear-ended your car doesn't go into oncoming traffic, while with a cutout nobody should be rear-ending you because they must be turning left. I never understood why that would make any sense, or what reason there would be to have your wheels turned left. I can't find anything now that says that was ever given advice, but it always stuck out in my mind.

I always keep wheels straight. I was a teenager then and too dumb to ask questions.
 
Dirty Frank said:
Some rides simply bring out the inner ahole in other drivers.
Butch the thing up for more respect.
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Never seen the movie - is that from Quadrophenia?

I am seriously entertaining the possibility that it might be my ride.

The look of disdain on some of the Harley Boyz I see in cottage country is palpable. Especially when I pass them.

LOL.

This Vespa might earn some respect:
1780890071751.png
 
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Mad Mike said:
You need a better blocking position. If cars are going inside to, you’re probably too far right. I find the best blocking position is having your bike to the left track, but pointed straight thru the intersection, never in the direction of your turn - if you get bumped your in the live lane.
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I'd rather they be inside then outside.
 
NuggyBuggy said:
Never seen the movie - is that from Quadrophenia?

I am seriously entertaining the possibility that it might be my ride.

The look of disdain on some of the Harley Boyz I see in cottage country is palpable. Especially when I pass them.

LOL.

This Vespa might earn some respect:
View attachment 79001
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Yes that's a very young Sting from Quadrophenia on the Vespa, the guy had a look.
Not a bad film if you ever get the chance to watch it.
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