More on Right Turns

Question:

With regard to the post “Right Turns“, Jeff stated:

The question implies that the cyclist knows that the car intends to turn right. Most Florida motorists do not know how to legally perform a right turn. A prudent vehicular cyclist who knows the car intends to turn right won’t pull up abeam of the car. Further, even in this instance, if the cyclist doesn’t know if the car plans to turn right but the lane allows either straight ahead or a right turn, the best course of action is to stop behind the car.

Answer:

Your comment is certainly valid as far as best cycling practices go.  However, the purpose of this site is to address questions about the laws as they relate to cycling.  Although at times we will discuss the ways the laws reflect safe cycling practices, that is not the primary intent of the site.

We know the motorist’s intentions, but not what the cyclist knew of those intentions.  It is certainly true that the cyclist could have been better positioned under these circumstances, but that doesn’t always happen.

Anthony’s question related to the laws that apply when a cyclist is alongside a motor vehicle at an intersection and the respective responsibilities of the motor vehicle operator and the cyclist when they get underway.    The same situation could arise when a cyclist is stopped at an intersection and a motor vehicle arrived alongside.   How the situation developed is not the question.  Rather, what are the legal and safe actions taken by both parties when the situation presented itself?