Modes of Transportation

Cycling: Turning and Changing Lanes

Mastering the proper techniques for turning and changing lanes makes it easier for cyclists to share the road with other road users.

Turning techniques

Turning right

1. Look over your left shoulder to see whether the way is clear.
2. Signal your intention to turn right.
3. Look to your right to check for pedestrians.
4. Look over your left shoulder again.
5. Turn right when the way is clear.

For everyone's safety

• Ride as close as possible to the right side of the roadway before and after you turn.
• Yield the right of way to pedestrians who are crossing the road or indicating their intention to cross.
• Stop for red lights and stop signs before turning. If you are stopped at a red light, wait for the green light before turning, unless turning right on a red light is authorized.
• Beware of vehicles that may encroach upon the bike lane or the right lane before turning right. Be sure to stay behind them.

Turning left

There are two ways to turn left at an intersection:

• pedestrian-type turn (L-turn)
• vehicle-type turn

It all depends on your abilities, traffic density and traffic speed.

Pedestrian-type turn (L-turn)

1. Cross the street ahead of you to reach the opposite corner.
2. Position yourself perpendicularly to the street on which you were cycling.
3. When the way is clear or the traffic light is green, cross the intersection.

Vehicle-type turn

This is the most practical way of turning left, except when traffic is too heavy. Vehicle-type turns can be relatively simple on quiet residential streets, but require greater skill on multiple-lane roads.

1. Look over your left shoulder to see whether the way is clear.
2. Signal your intention to turn left.
3. Look over your left shoulder again.
4. Move over to the centre of the lane when the way is clear.
5. Look over your left shoulder again.
6. Signal your intention to turn left.
7. Once the way is clear or the traffic light is green, turn left and then return to the right-hand side of the road.

Turning left on multiple-lane roads (experienced cyclists)

Move from one lane to the next until you are in a good position to turn. You must be able to:

• glance over your left shoulder without swerving from your lane
• assess the distances between vehicles
• signal your intentions to drivers
• perform the manoeuvre when there is no danger

These manoeuvres are quite complex and require sufficient skill.

Left-turn lanes

• Move from one lane to the next until you are in the left-turn lane.
• Remain on the right-hand side of the turning lane and wait.
• If you are at an intersection controlled by stop signs, yield the right of way to vehicles that were there before you and to pedestrians. Then, turn left and return to the right-hand side of the road.
• If you are at an intersection regulated by traffic lights, when the traffic light is green (or the left-turn light is green), yield the right of way to the vehicles and cyclists travelling in the opposite direction, as well as the pedestrians who are crossing or indicating their intention to cross. Then, turn left and return to the right-hand side of the road.

Turning left on multiple-lane roads

1. Look over your left shoulder to see whether the way is clear.
2. Signal your intention to turn left.
3. Look over your left shoulder again.
4. Change lanes or turn when the way is clear.

Techniques for changing lanes

1. Look over your left shoulder to see if there is a break in traffic.
2. Signal your intention to change lanes by using the same hand signals as for turning.
3. Look over your left shoulder again.
4. Change lanes when the way is clear.

If an obstacle forces you to move to the left

1. Signal your intention in advance.
2. Look over your left shoulder to see whether the way is clear.
3. Maintain a trajectory that is as straight as possible.
4. Get back as close as possible to the right side of the roadway (initial position) as soon as you pass the obstacle.

Last update: June  1, 2022