Last week, I was stationed at a Health and Wellness Fair in Eastlake to talk about Cascade Bicycle Club and to encourage people to ride bicycles. It was a small event, to be sure, but the people that did turn out were inspiringly passionate about their community. These people did not simply grab a bike map or slap bracelet and go. They were here to chat, to learn, and to relate to one another. As Eastlake neighbors made their way around each table, they moved slowly and fully listened to what each person had to say.

I usually break the ice by asking people if they ride a bicycle. If yes, I  ask follow up questions about their riding habits, problems they’ve encountered, or what they love about bicycling. If no, I try to pin down what is stopping them. For both riders and non-riders  I  always explain that Cascade has something to offer everyone, from classes and helmets, to rides, events, and advocacy,.

While every one of these conversations  is worthwhile, at the end of a busy event, one conversation usually stands out.  Allow me to relay what I found to be the most important conversation I had at the Eastlake Health and Wellness Fair.

As a woman approached the table, I called out, “Hi there! Do you ride a bike?”

“No, but I do almost hit people riding bikes pretty frequently” she answered, partly joking, but clearly partly not.

“How does that happen?” I asked, probably visibly alarmed.

“Well, when I turn right they come zooming up going straight on my right side!” she told me.

“I’m sure that can be scary as a driver, but those interactions are also very scary as a bicyclist. And actually, the bicyclist going straight has the right of way.”

She was baffled. “They do?!” she asked incredulously.

Because 11% of crashes occur when a motorist turns right in front of a bicyclist (AKA, “the right hook”), I felt that this was an important point to clarify with her, not to mention the entire blogosphere.

People on bicycles are expected to ride in the rightmost lane that serves their destination (Law:RCW 46.61.770). If there is a right-turn-only lane with no bicycle accommodation, bicyclists  should to merge left into the lane that goes straight.

However, there are many intersections where a bicycle lane continues straight through an intersection, and drivers who wish to turn right will cross the bike lane to complete their turn. In cases like this, it is the drivers’ responsibility to make sure that the bike lane is clear before they make their turn (Law: SMC 11.53.190). In fact, vehicles going straight, like the bikes in this situation, always have the right of way over vehicles that are making a turn. That said, bicyclists should be vigilantly aware of the potential for right hooks, especially where traffic is backed up or visibility is poor.

Many cities are installing colored bike lanes to alert bicyclists and drivers of  intersections especially prone to conflicts between bicyclists traveling straight and turning motorists. At the most dangerous intersection, green bike boxes take this a step further by preventing drivers from turning right on red.

The conversation I had with this woman has hopefully made her more aware of her responsibility as a driver , and improved  her driving habits. We as bicyclists should also recognize our responsibility to occupy the appropriate travel lane and be especially careful at intersections! Be aware of car movements and lane designation changes. Make eye contact to be sure that you’ve been seen. Drivers can perceive us as “zooming” out of nowhere—take time to ensure your safety.

And talk to people! Many people are simply unaware of the laws. Anger helps no one, education helps everyone. We are all sharing the same streets and open lines of communication can go a long way toward making them safe for all.