I'd go ahead and go up to the light, on the right, but when the light turned green I'd allow all the waiting cars to pass before starting off - they're obviously going to accelerate much faster than you, right? So if everyone has to stop for a light, acknowledge that you're in a slower vehicle and let them pass.

Basically if you don't go up to the front (watch out for people turning though, you don't want to get between a driver and their right turn) you'll never get anywhere because you'll be waiting behind cars. Drivers are NEVER looking at the light when it turns green, so they actually lose a lot of time at stoplights.

Also, if there's no bike lane, you don't have to take the car lane if there's room on the shoulder. It will piss a lot of people off if you take it when you've got other options.

I'll be honest, I do this all the time. The roads are to be shared. There are ways of biking aggressively without hampering other drivers too much. The problem is that drivers need to be more proactive and not reactive.

Often times, I'll jump the light by a second or two to create space for cars to switch lanes before they come up on my tail. If I were driving and I saw that, I'd take a quick start off the line and switch lanes before I approach the bicyclist.

That said, when it's busy and there's no shoulder, you shouldn't press your luck and intentionally screw other drivers. But I do think it's ok to be somewhat opportunistic as a bike rider.

Cyclists do that because they are dicks.

Bike laws, tips, info resources, etc.: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportati…

Free bike maps to help keep you off of streets that are especially stupid/dangerous for bikes:
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportati…

I'm pretty sure this illegal since cyclists are supposed to act like cars. However, almost every cyclist in Portland ignores this and jumps the light anyway, much to the chagrin of many cars. I often stop behind cars, and I've had other cyclists actively heckle me for doing so.

Yep, illegal, officially, according to the books: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/103494

Here is a fun game. Ask this question on bikeportland and see (1) how long it takes before you're called a dick for questioning cyclist's behaviour and (2) how well Maus moderates the posters who attack you.

I can't figure out why cyclists wait to the right of a car at a red light when they want to go straight and they are keeping all the cars behind them for being able to make a right on red.

Oh Soggy, it's so precious of you to think that actually stops drivers from turning.

Boyo - that isn't about what you want it to be about. It also says that we don't have specific regulations about lane splitting. Can you read?

Oh look, this bike manual produced by the state of Oregon is saying to ride on the right! There are even convenient pictures, since reading is hard for you! http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/hwy/bikeped/doc…

For the purposes of passing, which includes cyclists passing motorists, it is indeed legal. Not however for consistent travel. The stopped pass is legal and motorists must pass with three feet, and cyclists may pass with discretion.