This is a picture from Google Maps of an intersection I deal with on my bicycle almost daily . The two left lanes are left turn only and the next lane is for through traffic. The far right lane is right turn only.
Here’s another view coming up to the intersection in my car as I’m looking for stupid bicyclers to run over.
There is a sidewalk on the right with a “Push To Cross” button. The street we are crossing is one of the busiest in Idaho- 6 lanes.
So, how does one approach this intersection when on a bicycle and intending to continue straight across the 6 lane street? Most bicyclers I see will take to the sidewalk and push the button and wait for the light before crossing in the pedestrian walk. But click on the next picture in order to enlarge it and you can see the pick-up truck in the right lane beginning his right turn. That driver is not expecting, nor is he looking for, a person on a bicycle suddenly appearing in the crosswalk.
As I approach this intersection on the bike, I signal my intention and I ride on the right hand side of the through traffic lane, with the right turn lane to my right. If there are only two or three cars at the red light waiting to cross I will ride past them and stop in front of them (but still off to the right side of the lane) to wait for the light. The drivers see me and they know what I am going to do. I’m going to cross the street when the light turns green.
By being deliberate in my movements and signaling my intentions, using common sense and knowing my rights I usually feel pretty safe on the streets. And, in my experience a person on a loaded touring bike will generally get more respect and will be given more room by motorists. Probably because they think we are crazy and/or homeless and they feel sorry for us.