Indeed. The right of way is indeed cold comfort when you're DEAD. Of course, some times you'll be approaching a crossroads and a car will be approaching it faster and pass you just in time to run you down. :)

This is why I have a bell on my bicycle, and ring it any time I have a shadow of an excuse. (I recommend spending a few dollars extra and getting a nice bell that you like the sound of.)

> The right of way. . .

This is a situation where bikes don't necessarily have right-of-way under the law. If there's a bike lane, then yes - and in that case there really should be traffic markings to make it clear to motorists that the right turn lane is on the other side of the lane.

But if not, then bikes are using the same lane as every other vehicle on the road. So when cyclists pass waiting cars on the right at a stoplight, it's just as dangerous and illegal as if a motorcyclist or scooter rider were to do it.

That depends on where you are. In Germany it is perfectly legal for a cyclist to pass waiting cars at a stoplight on the right if there is enough space, because it is safer for them to wait a the front of the line than somewhere hidden between cars. Especially if they can get to a marked waiting area like this: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Radaufstellstreifen_%...

Seems like cyclists dangerously undertaking (passing on the incorrect side) causes these problems. Much to the annoyance of cyclists, smart motorists would position the vehicle to prevent undertaking maneuvers when approaching a turn. For cyclists intending to go straight, the cyclists needs to take the lane, positioning themselves so they can't be overtaken by vehicles intending to make a turn.

In all cases, motorists needs to be aware of the more vulnerable road users and cyclists should take more precautions when sharing the road with 2+ ton vehicles.

From a cycling commuter for the past 5 years, 37km one way, in the Tokyo Japan area.

Some US cities have that, too, but not all of them. In the ones that don't mark spaces like that, though, there isn't really space for cyclists at the front and even pedestrians aren't particularly safe from motorists looking* to make a right turn at a red light.

* On further thought, maybe that choice of word is inappropriate.

don't count on the bell. it can barely be heard from inside a car

I've been wondering about these for dealing with that issue - anyone have any experience with one?

http://deltacycle.com/airzound-horn

Heck, I'd appreciate having a version for pedestrian use, too, sometimes.

Especially with the radio on.

of course you don't count on the bell, but, defense in depth!