Hit me with a Left hook
From a discussion on a forum I was looking on Wikipedia for information about "jughandles" and "Michigan lefts". From there I followed the link to Hook turn. I was totally confused by the description of a hook turn (most likely because they're describing it for driving on the left, not something I have a strong mental model of) until I got to this sentence:

In many jurisdictions, lightweight vehicles such as bicycles and mopeds may make hook turns even at regular intersections.

Then I realized that they were talking about the maneuver I mentioned the other day -- the cyclist's left. I'm still not completely sure how it's executed by a car, since I can't imagine where the car should fit, or why you would do it that way instead of with dedicated lefts (apparently it can be to avoid trams; I can't think of another use where it makes sense, although I think the article attempts to describe one).

The article also says that such cars are regarded as joining the front of the line for the entering road, so I feel better about ending up in front, knowing that that's the usual treatment of the situation. My VTA bike map's riding tips describe it this way as well, but don't call it a hook turn, and my research turned up a likely reason why: turning right in front of a cyclist without a proper merge (my biggest pet peeve) is often referred to as a "right hook". (Presumably this describes the shape, but I'm guessing the reference to boxing is intentional.) Strangely, my SF bicycle map doesn't mention this kind of turn at all, saying that the only ways to turn left are like a car or like a pedestrian (by walking your bike). Dr. Google has not turned up any specific info on this in the CVC so far.

I also found this interesting little study about cycling competence and bike lanes conducted by the Effective Cycling guy. Justin, you'll like it -- the conclusion is that bikeways/bike lanes make people act stupid.