Commuting - Am I being too assertive?

I read somewhere never to ride too much to the side of the road, as it is actually *less* safe than riding in the middle of a standard lane. So, that's what I do. I don't ride in parking lanes that are empty, or any other section of the street which is not a proper lane, despite the fact that I could easily do so, thus allowing the cars to pass me with greater ease. People in cars constantly curse me for this behavior. Am I being "too assertive"? Seems to me that if I'm not riding in a proper lane, chances are I'll have to wait until all of the cars pass before I can get back into the proper lane when the parking lane has a car, or the otherwise non-lane ends abruptly. I also don't ride on these things that look like bike lanes, unless they specifically have the bike lane picture on them. I'm trying to figure out if it's safer to enrage drivers or to ride less visibly and inconvenience myself.

The rationale for using more of the lane goes like this: If you ride very near the edge of the road, then many drivers will buzz within inches of you because the figure, they have the room to "split the lane" instead of passing. If you occupy the right 1/3 of lane these drivers can't pass you in the same lane; they are then required to curse you and go around. This is why the latter is safer for you.

The screamers can't be helped. Most of them are chronically unhappy and frustrated folks anyway. They are just miserable to begin with, so not much you can do will change their behavior in any case.

Dan

Here in Washington the rule is stay as far to the right as safely possible I will ride in parking strips but usually about three feet from the curb. I will not go around parked cars so if there are any cars parked I keep a straight line outside the parked cars no need to wind in and out of them. Only when cars are whizzing by me will I take the center of the lane ONLY if there is more than one lane in that direction.

I basically do the same as ngateguy under the same laws in Missouri.

I find it irritating that drivers will get pissed when I'm first in line at the light, in the right-hand lane, and will not get out of their way so they can make a right-on-red. Of course, when I get to the right then cars make right-hand turns in front of me when the light changes.

So I am assertive in situations where I must choose the lesser of two evils (pissing off drivers versus being run over at stop lights) and more cooperative when the situation allows (ride on the shoulder or in parking lanes). If the parking lane has parked cars, I try to avoid weaving by instead maintaining a straight line that clears the cars. That requires drivers to think (should I run over the cyclist or slow down?), and so far they have with a minimum of audible complaint.

I ride as far to the right as safely possible as the others, remember, you will never win a road rage battle against a car. Hold firm until it's not safe then head for the grass as an act of preservation. They are bigger than you and they hurt.

One big problem with riding outside the lane to the right is that of debris that will puncture your tire, then puncture you! Ride in the right tire track, and you will avoid the crap that can take you down fast.

Originally posted by bradw
....I find it irritating that drivers will get pissed when I'm first in line at the light, in the right-hand lane, and will not get out of their way so they can make a right-on-red. Of course, when I get to the right then cars make right-hand turns in front of me when the light changes....

When waiting at a light where I am going straight, I get to the left side of the lane. This allows people behind me to make a right on red. It also puts me in a position where I am more visible to oncoming traffic that wants to make a left.

I never ride in parking lanes. Here in Minneapolis, they usually contain broken pavement and debris (not to mention parked cars). Also, they are usually broken up: they end and then start again repeatedly. I believe it is unsafe to repeatedly leave and re-enter the lane.

By the way, I think another good reason not to hug the curb is that if you encounter debris or something unexpected happens, you only have one way to go - towards traffic.

You live in a highly congested urban area, and I think there is no steadfast rule other than "do what feels safe". I ride 20-30 miles daily here in Boston, and if I only rode in the regular lane, never went in parking lanes, and didn't exhibit some assertiveness, I'd be a pancake. We have notoriously bad roads and drivers here, so I'm used to being yelled at and taking evasive action while riding on pothole-laden streets. :) I think you should simply do whatever makes you feel the safest while riding in your comfort zone.

My behavior is almost identical to ngateguy. I stay to the right when possible but don't do the swerve in and out of parked cars. That way lies death. When the road is bad on the right I will take a lane, when in a lane I take the center. I don't want a car trying to squeek(sic) through. I basically do what is safe and when possible considerate.
-Duncan

I think you're doing fine as you describe it. The motorists generally can't see and don't appreciate the hazards you as a cyclist have to avoid, from the broken glass to the drainage grates to the opening car doors, and the right travel lane may also be too narrow to safely share with a motor vehicle--many older arterial streets have very narrow lane widths. YOU are the person who has to make the decision on the hazards you need to avoid, not the jerk in the car itching to pass you. If you're in front on them, they are supposed to yield the Right-of-Way to you, and pass only when it is safe for them to do so.

Here's what the law says in Oregon. I make it a point to pay special attention to 814.430(2)(c):

814.430 Improper use of lanes; exceptions; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of improper use of lanes by a bicycle if the person is operating a bicycle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic using the roadway at that time and place under the existing conditions and the person does not ride as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway.

(2) A person is not in violation of the offense under this section if the person is not operating a bicycle as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway under any of the following circumstances:

(a) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle that is proceeding in the same direction.

(b) When preparing to execute a left turn.

(c) When reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or other conditions that make continued operation along the right curb or edge unsafe or to avoid unsafe operation in a lane on the roadway that is too narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel safely side by side. Nothing in this paragraph excuses the operator of a bicycle from the requirements under ORS 811.425 or from the penalties for failure to comply with those requirements.

(d) When operating within a city as near as practicable to the left curb or edge of a roadway that is designated to allow traffic to move in only one direction along the roadway. A bicycle that is operated under this paragraph is subject to the same requirements and exceptions when operating along the left curb or edge as are applicable when a bicycle is operating along the right curb or edge of the roadway.

(e) When operating a bicycle alongside not more than one other bicycle as long as the bicycles are both being operated within a single lane and in a manner that does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

(f) When operating on a bicycle lane or bicycle path.

I ride about 1/3 of the way into the lane. It forces cars to go around me, but gives them enough room to pass without going too far into the other lane.

This approach is scary at first and remains scary once in a while.

Still, you don't have to ride long in the gutter before you are dismissed by drivers who will buzz you like a piece of trash. From what I have seen, there is little choice but to stake your claim on the road.

As the others have said, avoid the gutters. If there is a wide shoulder on the road and it's in reasonably good condition, by all means use it. However, if the lane is narrow, there's nothing wrong with claiming it. As far as drivers getting angry/frustrated goes - that just seems to be a fact of life. I know for a fact that around here many of them will resent you for the mere fact that you are on a bike - regardless of where you are riding it.

Then there is also the factor that even the drivers that "mean well" simply have no understanding of the idea of riding a bicycle. Personally you should ride wherever you feel safe and not worry about what they think. If they have to change lanes or *gasp* wait three seconds to pass you it's their problem.

Originally posted by Jupe
When waiting at a light where I am going straight, I get to the left side of the lane. This allows people behind me to make a right on red. It also puts me in a position where I am more visible to oncoming traffic that wants to make a left.
Exactly!!! There is no safety gained by staying to the right. Being on the left side of the right lane is safer b/c of visibility as Jupe and also b/c cars behind you can clearly see you. It's also courteous to our driving friends as it allows them to continue on, again as Jupe said.

Originally posted by mrfix
remember, you will never win a road rage battle against a car. .
If you can catch him at the next lights you might :crash: