Which Lane Should a Motorcycle Use for a Left Turn?
2 Answers
According to the Road Traffic Law, motorcycles are classified as motor vehicles and should follow the lane markings to use the dedicated left-turn lane, similar to other motor vehicles, and should not use the non-motorized vehicle lane for left turns. Below is additional information: Motorcycles are also motor vehicles: Motor vehicles making a left turn need to enter the fast lane 50 meters in advance. Since motorcycles are motor vehicles, they must also enter the fast lane 50 meters in advance when making a left turn. However, in certain cities with specific traffic regulations, motorcycles may use the right-turn lane and then enter a dedicated motorcycle waiting area at the traffic signal. Roads are divided into motor vehicle lanes, non-motorized vehicle lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Vehicles are classified as motor vehicles and non-motorized vehicles. Higher-level laws, based on the safety management characteristics of vehicles with different speeds, clearly stipulate that vehicles should travel in designated lanes, that motorcycles are motor vehicles, and that motorcycles should travel in the rightmost motor vehicle lane. Local traffic regulations that establish "two-wheeled vehicle lanes" contradict the legislative principle of "benefiting traffic safety management."
I've been riding motorcycles for several years, and choosing the correct lane when turning left is a crucial safety point. Generally speaking, if there's a dedicated left-turn lane, I'll definitely switch to it in advance, preparing about one or two hundred meters before the intersection. When there's no dedicated lane, I'll stay close to the leftmost lane for the turn, but I must be careful not to cut in and always use my turn signal. During rush hour in the city, with heavy traffic and chaos, motorcycles are small and prone to scrapes, so I need to be extra cautious and observe the movements of surrounding vehicles. Once, I made a left turn in the rain without clearly seeing the road signs, ended up in the wrong lane, and nearly collided with a bus. Since then, I've developed the habit of slowing down early. In summary, choosing the correct lane can reduce the risk of accidents, obeying traffic signals and signs is key, especially when turning, where slow and steady is essential.
