Can Motorists Use A Bike Lane To Turn Right In New York State?

This morning, while I was driving into work, I noticed a biker correctly using the designated bike lane. Then, almost in the same breath, I saw not one, but two motorists drive into that bike lane to take a right-hand turn onto a one-way street. Suddenly, I realized that most people probably don't know the correct way to approach a turn when there's a designated bike lane on the road.

We're seeing bike lanes pop up all over the place in New York these days. The goal is to help both motorists and bikers be safe when sharing the roads. But some of the trouble comes when people don't know the rules when it comes to bike lanes. It doesn't help that the rules are different in every state. When it comes vehicle traffic laws in New York, can motorists ever drive in the bike lane? Can you use a bike lane to turn right?

Read More: New Law Pertains To Anyone Who Rides An E-Bike/Scooter In NY 

Can motorists use a bike lane to turn right?

There are some pretty specific rules when it comes to navigating a turn with a bike lane. The answer is, yes, you can use the bike lane to turn right but only after signaling that you're going to turn into the lane, checking your blind spot, and yielding to any cyclists in the lane. Then you need to merge completely into the lane to avoid what they call a "hook" collision. That's when someone in a car collides with a pedestrian or a cyclist after taking a right handed turn in front of them. It's right there in chapter 11 of the DMV drivers manual. The cyclist will always have the right of way when using that bike lane.

Read More: The Bicycle Laws Almost Every Kid Breaks In New York 

Take this example from someone who failed a driving test because they didn't do that.

Step-By-Step guide to safely make a right turn using the bike lane

1. Signal that you're going to turn into the lane

2. Check your blind spot. Yield to any cyclists that might be in the bicycle lane.

3. When safe to do so, merge completely into the lane just before the intersection.

4. Complete the turn when it's safe to do so.

Read More: New York State Law Says No To Parents Riding Bikes With Infants