Turning Right Across Bike Lanes: Merge Legally in 2025

When you need to turn right across a bike lane, the law in most jurisdictions requires you to merge into the bike lane at the dashed segment before your turn—typically within 200 feet of the corner. This right-hook crash avoidance rule prevents you from cutting off cyclists traveling straight through the intersection. This article explains how to merge across a bike lane safely and legally, when the stripe becomes dashed, the importance of yielding to cyclists while turning, common violations that lead to tickets or crashes, and links to official guidance for drivers. For broader context on lane markings, see our guides on bike lanes and solid lines, solid white vs yellow lines, and crosswalk pedestrian right-of-way.

Merge technique across a bike lane before the corner

The fundamental rule is simple: when the bike lane stripe transitions from solid to dashed, you must merge into the bike lane before turning right. This puts your vehicle in the rightmost lane—the bike lane—so you turn from that position, just as you would turn from the right lane in any other scenario. The dashed segment signals that merging is both legal and required. Turning from the adjacent vehicle lane while crossing a bike lane at the corner is a common violation that can result in citations for improper lane use or failure to yield to a cyclist.

Yield priority and eye contact with cyclists

Before you merge, yield to any cyclist already in the bike lane. Check your right mirror and turn your head to scan the blind spot. Cyclists may be traveling at 15–20 mph in urban areas, so they can close distance quickly. If you see a cyclist approaching, wait until they pass. Making eye contact is ideal but not always possible—cyclists wearing sunglasses or helmets with visors may not meet your gaze. In those cases, rely on their position and speed: if they are maintaining their lane and speed, assume they intend to continue straight. Never assume a cyclist will stop or swerve to avoid you.

Using dashed merge segments properly

The dashed bike lane stripe typically begins 100–200 feet before the intersection, though the exact distance varies by jurisdiction and roadway type. When you see the dashes, signal your right turn, check your blind spot, and merge smoothly once the bike lane is clear. Hold the bike lane position as you approach the corner, then turn right from that lane. This technique is sometimes called a merge-then-turn maneuver. It contrasts with older practices where drivers turned from the vehicle lane and cut across the bike lane—a pattern that caused frequent right-hook collisions and is now prohibited in most cities.

Avoid the right-hook with mirror checks

The right-hook crash occurs when a driver turns right in front of or into a cyclist who is traveling straight. To avoid it, perform a systematic check sequence: signal early (at least 100 feet before your turn), check the right mirror, check the right blind spot by turning your head, yield to any cyclist in or approaching the bike lane, and merge only when clear. If a cyclist is present, wait. If you merge too early while a cyclist is behind you, they may not have time to react. Timing your merge so you enter the bike lane just as a cyclist passes (or well before they reach you) is the safest approach.

City-level guidance links for drivers

Major cities publish specific guidance on bike lane merging. San Francisco's SFMTA emphasizes the 200-foot rule and the requirement to yield before merging. New York City's DOT illustrates the dashed merge segment in its street design manual. Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, both highlight the right-hook hazard and the importance of mirror checks. Check your local transportation department's website for official diagrams and videos. For federal background, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) establishes the dashed-stripe standard for bike lane merge zones nationwide.

When you cannot merge: solid bike lane lines and protected lanes

Not all bike lanes have dashed segments. In some cases, the bike lane stripe remains solid white all the way to the intersection. This design indicates a protected bike lane or a location where the city does not want drivers merging. In these situations, you cannot cross the solid white line to merge. Instead, turn right from the adjacent vehicle lane, yielding to cyclists in the bike lane as you cross it. This is less common but appears in high-traffic corridors with dedicated bike infrastructure. Always follow the pavement markings: solid means stay out, dashed means merge is allowed (and often required). For more on line meanings, see bike lanes and solid lines and solid white vs yellow line rules.

Signal timing and right-turn-on-red rules with bike lanes

When you approach a red light in a bike lane merge zone, you must stop before the limit line (or crosswalk if no line is painted). If a right turn on red is permitted and no sign prohibits it, you may turn after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and cyclists. However, many cities now post NO TURN ON RED signs at intersections with heavy bike and pedestrian traffic. Even where turns are allowed, you must yield to any cyclist in the bike lane before proceeding. For comprehensive rules on turning on red, see our guide on right turn on red rules and exceptions.

Common violations and enforcement trends in 2025

Traffic enforcement in 2025 increasingly focuses on vulnerable road user safety. Common violations include: turning right from the vehicle lane without merging into the dashed bike lane, merging into the bike lane without yielding to a cyclist, and rolling through a crosswalk while occupied by pedestrians or cyclists. Cities with automated enforcement (red-light cameras or speed cameras) may also deploy side-facing cameras to capture right-hook near-misses. Even without a collision, failure to yield can result in a citation if an officer or camera observes the violation. Fines vary by state but often range from $100 to $500, with higher penalties in school zones or near senior centers.

Insurance and liability considerations

If you turn right across a bike lane and strike a cyclist, your liability is high—especially if you failed to merge at the dashed segment or did not yield. Insurance companies typically assign fault to the driver in right-hook crashes, leading to increased premiums and potential lawsuits for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Even a low-speed collision can cause serious injuries to a cyclist. Defensive driving—signal, check, yield, merge—protects both you and the cyclist and reduces your legal and financial risk.

Special cases: bus lanes, shared lanes, and bike boxes

In dense urban areas, you may encounter combined bike-and-bus lanes or shared-lane markings (sharrows) instead of dedicated bike lanes. The merge rule still applies: signal, yield, and move to the rightmost position before turning. At intersections with bike boxes (advanced stop boxes for cyclists), wait behind the bike box at a red light and do not enter it. When the light turns green, yield to cyclists leaving the box before you turn. For more on complex pavement markings, see our road markings overview.

State-by-state variations and official driver handbook references

While the dashed-merge rule is widespread, implementation details vary by state and city. California Vehicle Code § 21717 explicitly requires drivers to merge into the bike lane before turning right where a dashed stripe exists. Oregon and Washington have similar statutes. In states without explicit bike lane merge laws, local ordinances and traffic engineering practices often impose the same requirement through pavement markings and signage. Always consult your state's driver handbook for the most current rules. For state-specific guidance, visit our hubs for California, Texas, New York, and Florida.

Pedestrian crosswalks and yielding after your merge

Once you have merged into the bike lane, you still must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk before completing your turn. Many drivers focus on cyclists and forget about walkers. At signalized intersections, pedestrians may have a walk signal or a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) that starts them before vehicles get a green. Wait for the crosswalk to clear before turning. For comprehensive pedestrian rules, see crosswalk and pedestrian right-of-way.

Night driving and visibility concerns

At night or in poor weather, bike lane stripes—especially dashed segments—can be hard to see. Slow down and use your headlights to illuminate pavement markings. Many cities use retroreflective paint or embedded raised markers to improve visibility. If you cannot see where the dashed segment begins, signal early, check your mirrors, and merge conservatively. Cyclists are required to use lights at night, but not all do; scan for movement and reflective clothing in addition to bike lights.

E-bikes, e-scooters, and new mobility devices

In 2025, bike lanes often carry not only traditional bicycles but also e-bikes, e-scooters, and other micromobility devices. E-bikes can travel 20–28 mph, faster than conventional bikes. Treat all users in the bike lane with the same caution: signal, check, yield, and merge only when clear. Some cities restrict e-scooters to bike lanes; others allow them on sidewalks or roadways. Know your local rules and expect a mix of speeds and vehicle types in the bike lane.

Resources and further reading

For official guidance, consult your state's driver manual and your city's transportation department website. The MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) provides federal standards for pavement markings and signage, including bike lane dashes. The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) publishes the Urban Bikeway Design Guide, which illustrates best practices for bike lane design and merge zones. Many cities also offer online videos demonstrating safe right-turn technique across bike lanes.

Quick checklist: how to turn right across a bike lane

Follow these steps every time you turn right at a location with a bike lane:

1. Signal early: Activate your right turn signal at least 100 feet before the intersection.
2. Check mirrors and blind spot: Look in your right mirror and turn your head to check the blind spot for cyclists.
3. Yield to cyclists: Wait for any cyclist in the bike lane to pass before merging.
4. Merge at the dashed segment: Move into the bike lane where the stripe becomes dashed, typically 100–200 feet before the corner.
5. Yield to pedestrians: Before turning, check the crosswalk and yield to anyone crossing.
6. Complete your turn from the bike lane: Turn right from the bike lane position and enter the right lane of the cross street.

This systematic approach prevents right-hook crashes, reduces your liability, and keeps everyone safe. For additional defensive driving tips, see our driving rules overview and rules of the road guide.

This article summarizes common rules. Always consult your state statute, city ordinance, and posted signs for the most current information. Published 2025-10-22.