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@ dcd:That's interesting - I routinely ride close to the right hand line (often technically in the curb lane, or right on the line) because if there's a break in parked cars, I'll pull into the curb lane and allow cars behind me to speed up and pass. I do this as a matter of courtesy; but Jasper's right, it might make things less safe. I'll have to reconsider.

Claim your lane, you have the right to be there, use it. You want to force cars to fully change lanes when passing you. Otherwise, you'll end up in situations very much like this one, where cars try to squeeze by and push you off the road, although hopefully the driver won't be aiming for you. What happens is that a driver thinks that they can squeeze partially into another lane and then finds he can not, veers back, squishing you into the side of the road. The reason for claiming your lane is that you want space to your right in case a car, for whatever reason, comes too close to you.

Sure, when the curb lane is empty you can change lanes and let cars by. That is courteous, reasonable and polite. Just make sure cars will let you back in when that lane ends.

Bikers are vulnerable road users. It is good to make yourself a bit bigger so that cars have a harder time dismissing you.

by Jasper on Sep 8, 2011 12:30 pm • link • report

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