Ask the officer Ask the officer (February 04, 2004)

Menlo Park police officer Glenn J. Raggio answers questions about the police and law enforcement. Call 330-6396, or e-mail: asktheofficer@menlopark.org.

Q. On city streets that have one lane going in each direction plus a bicycle lane, I notice that people will often pass me on the right by driving in the bicycle lane if I am stopped waiting for oncoming traffic to go by so I can turn left. Is that legal, or should the traffic wait behind me for me to complete my left turn?

A. Entering the bicycle lane to pass under any circumstance is illegal. The bicycle lane can only be entered when lines designating the lane are broken. It's tough, I know, waiting for that one car in front of you to make the left turn so you can proceed straight. The cars behind you are honking, and a little encroachment into the bike lane would expedite things. Don't do it. Ignore the little person on your left shoulder who's saying: "Oh, heck, just do it. Who's going to know? And, besides, you're holding up traffic!" Listen to the other little person on your right shoulder who's saying: "It's the law; it's an expensive ticket; and no one behind you is going to chip in for the increase in your insurance rates!"

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