Normally, I'm heading southeastward through here, so I'd be coming in from the upper-left corner of the photo. I then have to cross the right-turn-only lane (which has limited visibility due to a wall next to the trail), then cross Yosemite, then spin a quick 270 to the left to position myself to cross the other street. Again, there's limited visibility here due to walls running adjacent to the sidewalk. After crossing the intersection southbound, I go on my merry way on the trail again.
I HATE this intersection. No, really, I can't stand this intersection. High-speed, cross-town bike traffic really gets shoehorned through here in a less-than-safe manner. However, as the roads are configured, you have no choice but to make three crossings. Alas. In any case, I've managed to make it through here every time without incident... Until last weekend.
Since one has to cross two streets at the same intersection, it typically works out that a cyclist has to wait for two traffic lights. Every time I've gone through, I've had to wait at the northeast corner waiting for northbound Yosemite to get a green signal. Last weekend was no different. Since I was hanging out at the corner, I even pushed the pedestrian-crossing button to get the WALK signal.
So the southbound crosswalk signal changes to WALK, and westbound traffic has a red signal (it's easy to see that signal from the corner). However, as is my custom, I check for crossing traffic. Usually, the conflict comes from a northbound driver turning right to head eastbound. However, that's on the far side of the intersection, and those drivers are staring right at me before they turn. If I'm not sure I have that driver's attention, I can always hold up near the centerline and just yell at him as he passes in front of me. No biggie.
In this case, however, as I move toward the crosswalk entrance I can see a westbound driver to my left who is signaling a right turn. Now, I recognize that a solid red signal means one should stop prior to the painted crosswalk. However, this driver isn't exactly slowing to make that happen, so I wait and shout "STOP" in his direction. Sure enough, he blows through the crosswalk and stops with his REAR BUMPER about midway through the crosswalk. Grrr. I pass behind him, pound on his trunk lid, and go on my way. This isn't a situation where a refresher course on the Rules of the Road will be well-received.
To the drivers (there have been many) who have told me, "Get on the f%^$ing sidewalk!!!", I have this response:
GET. A. CLUE.
The most dangerous thing I do on a bicycle is to ride on a sidewalk or take a crosswalk. Each and every grade crossing where I'm not out in the flow of traffic like a car is an opportunity for bad things. In the absence of dedicated bike facilities, I'll use the road like a car, and I'll be safer for it. The situation above is one where there really isn't much choice. Next time I'll try just heading southbound on Yosemite, doing a U-turn on the south side of C-470, then come back up Yosemite to rejoin the trail. I'd still have to cross lanes of traffic in both directions, but I'll take a merge over a right-angle crossing against turning traffic any day.
