Commuting - What side of the white line do you ride on?

My co-worker/fellow commuter told me that his father read an article in a bicycling magazine. According to this article, when riding on a paved single lane road, it is best to ride to the left of the white line.

Anyone else ever heard of this?

On my daily commute, I've noticed that I do instinctively ride just to the left of the line when I'm in areas where the isn't a lot of room (less than 3 feet) between the white line and the shoulder. I just like the extra space to my right. Otherwise, I stay to the right of the white line.

The white line is what separates the travel lane from the shoulder. If you're to the right of it, you're on the shoulder.

No matter what road i'm on, white line, bike lane, whatever... i ride where I deam it to be the safest for me at that particular moment.

i ride in the lane, unless i am letting someone pass me, then i get over to the right for them (maybe over the line), then i go back to the lane to control the traffic behind me when i dont think its safe for people to pass, because they dont seem to have good judgment themselves!

I never ride on or to the right of a fog line. In Texas, we have a right to the roadway and anything to the right of the fog line is defined as not being a part of the roadway.

Furthermore, on single lane roads (one lane each direction) where the lanes are less than 14 feet wide- about the space needed for two standard sized cars to fit side-by-side in the lane- we can lawfully ride anywhere in the lane we choose. I ride in the left tire track on these roads around here, as well as on the state highways. On our multi-lane hwy 287 with signed 65 MPH speed limits I ride in the right tire track.

There is no better place to be seen by a motorist than directly in front of him. There is no better place to see and be seen by crossing traffic. There is no better place to be seen by oncoming overtaking vehicles.

I ride to the left of the white line.

The white line is what separates the travel lane from the shoulder. If you're to the right of it, you're on the shoulder.

I've always believed that to be true. Unfortunately, I have at least one cager a day yell at me to get out of the road, even when I'm riding to the right of the white line, because there is also a sidewalk on that stretch of that particular stretch of road and in their opinion that's where I belong.:bang:

The local cops tend to avoid my daily commute route like the plague, because it is also a main commuter artery for cagers. If the police actually made at least a monthly if not weekly show of force and enforced the traffic laws, like the speed limit, that stretch of road would be a whole lot safer.

I ride to the left, but only because I have to. (There is nothing but a ditch to the right of the white line)

I often keep to the right. (why'd I get a shiver typing that?)

I know thats not the common wisdom on BF, and frankly I'm going to test what the left feels like and how it plays out for me on certain legs on my route. But when I spend a large part of my ride-in climbing at slow speeds and the cagers are going by at 40+mph.... that six foot wide shoulder just feels like a warm blanket.

I never ride on or to the right of a fog line.

(snip)

On our multi-lane hwy 287 with signed 65 MPH speed limits I ride in the right tire track.

:eek: :twitchy:

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=103967&stc=1&d=1241642795

3 feet? Shoulder? wat shoulder? I have 3 INCHES and that's it. Apparently all twats in white Acuras think I need when buzzing me at 50+ too :(

Tom

I know thats not the common wisdom on BF

Dogma is not wisdom

i ride where I deam it to be the safest for me at that particular moment.

+1 I follow the rules of the road as much as possible, but keeping my a** safe is the over riding law.

To answer the question: In general it's to the left of the white line. I'm a vehicle I have the right to the road and I'm following the rules.

To the right if there is a shoulder. If I get hit by a dump truck, it will make no differance to me if I had the right to be in the lane or not, Im still just goo on the bumper.

Lots of cyclists want carve out their territory, but I have not found it to be safer doing so. It gives me more room for error by me and the motorist, I would rather be alive than right.

I ride to the left, there's too much broken glass to the right of the line. I once rode right of the line with the idea it might be safer and I got two flats on two trips.

great thread!!!

I am surprised at how many people ride to the left of the white line.

In the winter when the snow is piled high I ride on the left of what used to be the white line.
During the rest of the year I try to stay on the right except where it isn't possible.

I have stated before that when I am on the right of the line cars pass closer to me than if I am on the left.
I guess I have the same sense of security they do and that is why I stay on the right.......

Here in Maine we do have a three foot rule that is essentially unenforceable...........but nice in theory

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=103967&stc=1&d=1241642795

OK, I understand when people ride in the lane due to debris, narrow shoulder or safety at intersections, but taking the lane on a freaking FREEWAY, for no other reason than to exercise the same rights as cars, is a bit much...

OK, I understand when people ride in the lane due to debris, narrow shoulder or safety at intersections, but taking the lane on a freaking FREEWAY, for no other reason than to exercise the same rights as cars, is a bit much...

In the first place, it is the cyclist's choice to ride on the road or not. Who are you to say why I do? You seem to be a particularly poor guesser. You could have asked.

Cyclists are hit occasionally while riding on the shoulder of the road. How could that be? In fact, sometimes disabled cars stopped on the shoulder are struck. Do you have an explanation as to how that could have happened? <---- hint: This is a clue.

This road (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=ennis,+texas&sourceid=ie7&oe=utf8&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=kVcCSsbwDJTEswO015hG&ll=32.350383,-96.770325&spn=0.065258,0.099049&t=h&z=13&layer=c&cbll=32.326918,-96.730213&panoid=bYDnfJfxVyI__Ra7Yxkovw&cbp=12,285.99710789959465,,0,5) is not a freeway. It is lawful in Texas ride a bicycle in any lateral position in the lane because the lanes are 12 feet wide.

Whenever possible and if there isn't a significant amout of debris I ride to the right of the fogline. If there's no line I just try to pick a reasonable distance to the right while avoiding the 'stone zone'. Just to give the faster moving traffic a couple of more feet in which to operate. May not be 'conventional wisdom', but that's how I roll...deal with it. :p Been at this over 20 years now and consider myself a 'co-operatively assertive' commuter. If forced, I'll take the lane and point where I'm going. Cagers seem to respect that. I rarely get harrassed, anymore by auto drivers. Now, dogs are a whole 'nother thing...

Cyclists are hit occasionally while riding on the shoulder of the road. How could that be? In fact, sometimes disabled cars stopped on the shoulder are struck. Do you have an explanation as to how that could have happened? <---- hint: This is a clue.

This road (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=ennis,+texas&sourceid=ie7&oe=utf8&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=kVcCSsbwDJTEswO015hG&ll=32.350383,-96.770325&spn=0.065258,0.099049&t=h&z=13&layer=c&cbll=32.326918,-96.730213&panoid=bYDnfJfxVyI__Ra7Yxkovw&cbp=12,285.99710789959465,,0,5) is not a freeway. It is lawful in Texas ride a bicycle in any lateral position in the lane because the lanes are 12 feet wide.


If they put disabled cars in the right lane instead, they'd be hit even more often.

That road might not be a full controlled-access freeway, but it might as well be one based on the shoulder, dual carriageway setup.

And I'm well aware you can ride you bike wherever you want, and you've stated that dozens of times in the past, thus why I believed that was your reason for taking the lane.

I'm not a militant. If there's a nice, wide, clean shoulder, I'll ride it.

But how often does that happen? In practice, when there even IS a line 95% of the time I'm to the left of it.

Depends on the stretch of road. Normally I am to the left of the white line. In some areas, if the traffic level is high and the shoulder is in great shape and wide, I will ride over there.

On some specific stretches I will limp along on the sidewalk. My least happy option (have to go so slow so things are safe for me and any pedestrians) but there are just some areas with such narrow lanes, so many cars/trucks and too many angry people heading home from work that I push pride (and what is the right/correct/lawful thing) to the side.

Oh, and I will use a designated bike lane if it is available.

I don't pay any attention to lines...where I ride is based upon the conditions at the moment.

Depends on the stretch of road. Normally I am to the left of the white line. In some areas, if the traffic level is high and the shoulder is in great shape and wide, I will ride over there.

On some specific stretches I will limp along on the sidewalk. My least happy option (have to go so slow so things are safe for me and any pedestrians) but there are just some areas with such narrow lanes, so many cars/trucks and too many angry people heading home from work that I push pride (and what is the right/correct/lawful thing) to the side.

Oh, and I will use a designated bike lane if it is available.


I love this thread. I would never have guessed that so many of us ride to the left of the white line.
Also, I have never heard the white line referred to as the fog line.......from where is that derived? regional?

I have always been ambivalent about whether I would prefer a sytem of true bike pathways......I would feel safer in some ways but then they never seem to go where I want them to......

I will go to my state DOT and find out what the law is. I do know about the 3 foot law. How many of you out there have a state where you have this rule?
I guess I will do some more research into this.

As an aside, I was hit by a motorist this last spring while riding on the right of the white line. It was a visually impaired elderly gentleman who tried to go around to the right of a car turning left and hit me with his mirror..........Scared the $h-t out of me but I was not hurt at all-just very, very emotionally shaken up.........I was too upset to take his license and ask the police to investigate his ability to drive.
Another topic about who should even be driving cars......

I would love to hear from more of you out there..........

Car/bike accidents are rarely won by cyclists........

As I get older I feel more vulnerable..........

It depends. I don't think it's wise to stick to hard-and-fast rules with regard to the white lines. Generally I ride about 2-3' to the left of the white line, particularly if there is no paved shoulder or the shoulder is littered with rocks and glass. However, if it is a busy road with fast traffic and the shoulder is wide and clean, I will often ride to the right of the white line. Sometimes I do both. I stay to the left, keeping my eye out for traffic in my mirror, and then drift right as the traffic approaches. Personally, I think it is foolish to slavishly "take the lane" on a busy road with fast traffic when there is a wide clean shoulder to the right of the white line, but go for it you have enough confidence in drivers to see you and pass safely.

The white line is what separates the travel lane from the shoulder. If you're to the right of it, you're on the shoulder.

Actualy, I thought the fog lines were yellow?? Shows how much I pay attention.

I'll ride the shoulder if it's safe and clear, to the left if not.

If there's a decent shoulder and there's traffic in both directions (100% of my commute is one lane per direction) then I ride on the shoulder. I consider 2 feet to be a decent shoulder, if it's clean and uncracked (true for some of my commute).

I move to the left of it and ride in the right tire track if there is only traffic in one direction (oncoming, or coming from behind and they can move into the oncoming lane).

One consideration is that legally, at least in many states, if you're to the right of the fog line, you are NOT on the roadway and you have given up your legal right-of-way and possibly other rights. Technically, anyway.

My first rule is do not swerve. That said, I will ride as far to the right as I can ride my normal speed without swerving around. This is usually on the right side of the line, but it depends a lot on how much traffic is going my way, how much traffic is going the other way, how fast traffic my way is going, and so on.

Six inches of good pavement is plenty. If the white line is noticeably smoother than the blacktop, so I will ride on the line. In either case, if there is any obstruction or debris I move over as far as necessary, and long before I get to the problem in question.

If traffic is heavy, and moving to the left is likely to be problematic, I will stay farther to the left.


...
One consideration is that legally, at least in many states, if you're to the right of the fog line, you are NOT on the roadway and you have given up your legal right-of-way and possibly other rights. Technically, anyway.
Interesting point!

If they put disabled cars in the right lane instead, they'd be hit even more often.

That road might not be a full controlled-access freeway, but it might as well be one based on the shoulder, dual carriageway setup.

And I'm well aware you can ride you bike wherever you want, and you've stated that dozens of times in the past, thus why I believed that was your reason for taking the lane.

A very recent incident in Arizona (http://azbikelaw.org/blog/allen-johnson/) shows that riding on the shoulder may not be safe from a sober motorist even in full daylight.

Speculation alert! I think that this sort of tragedy could be avoided by riding in the travel lane where a motorist will not have the luxury of dismissing your presence because you are seen as being out of the way.

You may be right that a disabled vehicle in the lane would be struck more often than avoided. I would posit, however, if the vehicle were clearly at a standstill with even a glance, (Say resting on it's roof while in the lane.) it would never be hit.

As I have said elsewhere, and repeat now, a bicyclist is a familiar and distinct shape, recognized from afar. It is instantly recognized as a slow moving vehicle- that is, no one expects a bicycle to be traveling at the speed of motorized traffic.

When a bicyclist is spotted in the lane, he is an immediate obstacle in the motorist's way. There is no hesitation or delay, no returning to a distraction from driving, but the immediate and full attention given to avoiding the object in their path.

Stopped cars on the side of the road are hit because drivers dismiss them as being out of the way, and then drift into them while being distracted from piloting their car. They hit stopped vehicles in their lane because while being distracted, they make a quick scan for hazards in their way, and seeing a car in the lane, don't perceive they are stopped until it is too late. But if the car were on it's roof, that quick glance would be enough to tell them it is not moving and react appropriately.

I do not ride on an available shoulder because it is not safe to be dismissed by a motorist at speed because you are out of the way.

I ride on the right of the roadway which means between the center of the lane and the white line (ie the right half of the lane).

ChipSeal, just out of curiosity with this scenerio: You are riding on the road on Highway 287 and you come to a backup of traffic due to an accident. Motor vehicles are not moving. Will you take the shoulder to continue on your journey or do you stay in your lane and wait it out with the rest of traffic?

Same here. I hover around the line. If the shoulder is really wide like a bike lane then I'm to the right of the line, sometimes I'm right on it if the shoulder is a foot wide but clean. Sometimes I am just left of the line - especially if the shoulder is smaller or dirty. If the roadway shoulder is horrible and dangerous I sometimes take the lane. In general the line does not dictate where I ride - however because it does delineate the shoulder and the cagers acknowledge it as an indication of where THEY should be - I keep it all in mind so as not to piss off any cagers.

I very rarely go right of the fog line. Most of my riding is in town with curb and gutter though. I generally consider the fog line to the edge of the road, just like the seam between the road and gutter pan. I cross both lines on occasion, but only by choice.

Around here, there's little to nothing on the other side of the fog line. Maybe 3-9 inches of asphalt. I don't think I've ever seen the multi-foot shoulders other are referencing.

ChipSeal, just out of curiosity with this scenario: You are riding on the road on Highway 287 and you come to a backup of traffic due to an accident. Motor vehicles are not moving. Will you take the shoulder to continue on your journey or do you stay in your lane and wait it out with the rest of traffic?

Good question! :)

A lot of folks around here would predict I was the accident that was causing the backup!

I would likely split lanes, until I matched traffic speed, then take a position in the lane again. Being carefull of the peculiar hazard that lane splitting entails, of course.

I would not use the shoulder. Too much debris and I might obstruct emergency equipment racing to the accident.

I ride to the left of the white lane for the most part, now if going uphill/slow under 15mph or so. I'll ride to the right as long as I have a few feet of shoulder. Now if there are any parked cars or anything like that I stay in the lane.

ChipSeal, just out of curiosity with this scenerio: You are riding on the road on Highway 287 and you come to a backup of traffic due to an accident. Motor vehicles are not moving. Will you take the shoulder to continue on your journey or do you stay in your lane and wait it out with the rest of traffic?

The law says to ride as close to the right as safely practicable.

If the cars are moving then riding in the shoulder is not safe because in an emergency the only place to swerve is into the direct path of another vehicle. If the cars are stopped then no such hazard exists and it becomes safe to take the shoulder, split lanes, etc.

I don't see what's so difficult to understand about this: a moving car is a much greater safety hazard than a moving bicycle. So, for example, a bike splitting a lane with a stopped or slow moving car is much more acceptable than a fast moving car splitting a lane with a slow moving bike. People don't like this because they see it as being biased or unfair, but so what? There's nothing fair or unbiased about the fact that motorized vehicle users must be licensed when cyclists do not. Motor vehicles are just dangerous and must be held to a higher standard which entitles them to fewer rights to the road, not more. That's what the law says and that's the way it should be.

The only time I would ever consider riding to the right of the white line is if there are absolutely no other vehicles around. Otherwise it's unsafe to ride in an area with such poor visibility. The most important thing is for the other vehicles to see you, even if that means they need to slow down, and I will not put myself in danger as a "courtesy" to the more impatient road users.

It depends. I don't think it's wise to stick to hard-and-fast rules with regard to the white lines. Generally I ride about 2-3' to the left of the white line, particularly if there is no paved shoulder or the shoulder is littered with rocks and glass. However, if it is a busy road with fast traffic and the shoulder is wide and clean, I will often ride to the right of the white line. Sometimes I do both. I stay to the left, keeping my eye out for traffic in my mirror, and then drift right as the traffic approaches. Personally, I think it is foolish to slavishly "take the lane" on a busy road with fast traffic when there is a wide clean shoulder to the right of the white line, but go for it you have enough confidence in drivers to see you and pass safely.

my wife, who does not cycle, and I discuss this all the time.
Scenario: nice wide clean paved shoulder of the road and three cyclists are riding three abreast and making us go around them (she does 99% of the automobile piloting with good reason). two lane state highway (45-55mph speed limit). she has to slow down and wait for the oncoming traffic in the other lane pass before she can go around the cyclists...........pisses her off........
She feels it makes her drive more dangerous as she has to slow down and then wait........that they could've gone single file on the shoulder.........
I think she has a point (not only because she is my babe of 29 years!!!!)

As a cyclist, I go slower than cars (hate the pejorative "cager"-but to each his/her own) and try to coexist with them.......so if I have a stretch of road with a safe shoulder to the right I use it. If not I will use the left side of the white line.

Interestingly, once the state route hits the college town where I live the shoulder turns into a bona fide 6 foot bike lane.........so often I imagine that the narrower 2-3 foot shoulder is a narrower bike lane......

She feels it makes her drive more dangerous as she has to slow down and then wait........that they could've gone single file on the shoulder.........
I think she has a point (not only because she is my babe of 29 years!!!!)

If there's anything at all "making" your wife drive in a dangerous manner then she shouldn't be driving. Period.

Unlike cycling, driving is not a right, but a privilege.



As a cyclist, I go slower than cars (hate the pejorative "cager"-but to each his/her own) and try to coexist with them.......so if I have a stretch of road with a safe shoulder to the right I use it. If not I will use the left side of the white line.

Interestingly, once the state route hits the college town where I live the shoulder turns into a bona fide 6 foot bike lane.........so often I imagine that the narrower 2-3 foot shoulder is a narrower bike lane......

The only time it's safe to use a long stretch of shoulder is if one can be safely assured of merging back into the normal traffic lane at the intersections. This is where most of the "accidents" happen, and where cyclists need to be visibly in line with the other road users.

Since fast moving cars often preclude safe merging I usually need to take the lane, which forces the other road users to slow down and if they don't like it then it's not my problem because safety comes first.

If there's anything at all "making" your wife drive in a dangerous manner then she shouldn't be driving. Period.

Unlike cycling, driving is not a right, but a privilege.



The only time it's safe to use a long stretch of shoulder is if one can be safely assured of merging back into the normal traffic lane at the intersections. This is where most of the "accidents" happen, and where cyclists need to be visibly in line with the other road users.

Since fast moving cars often preclude safe merging I usually need to take the lane, which forces the other road users to slow down and if they don't like it then it's not my problem because safety comes first.

first off, my wife is the safest driver I know.
never an accident and she drives the speed limit........
have you ever been driving in a caron a two lane highway with a cyclist going even 20mph while oncoming traffic prevents you from going around him/her-usually is a him?
It is not fun or safe.........

why is cycling a right and driving a car a privilege?

I will sign off for now..........

I like riding directly on the white line 'cause it's so smoove.

have you ever been driving in a caron a two lane highway with a cyclist going even 20mph while oncoming traffic prevents you from going around him/her-usually is a him?
It is not fun or safe.........


Incorrect...it may not be fun, but it's perfectly safe if you are a minimally competent driver free of impatience and/or anger issues.

First off, my wife is the safest driver I know. She has never had an accident and she drives within the speed limit.

Have you ever been driving in a car on a two lane highway behind a cyclist while oncoming traffic prevents you from going around him? It is not fun or safe.

Why is cycling a right and driving a car a privilege?


Driving a motor vehicle assumes a greater degree of responsibility to operate on the public highway due to the potential destructive power involved. At least that is how it is in theory.

In order to protect property and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, a host of regulations have been applied to make motor vehicles less harmful to society.

Bicyclists, when out of control, tend to harm mostly themselves and rarely anyone else. Have you ever heard any reports of cyclists smashing through the wall of a building? Knocking over a fire hydrant?

Safe driving used to be considered a skill that not every moron could acquire and perform. Today, the privilege is handed out like beads at a Fat Tuesday party in New Orleans. Losing one's license is hard to do, and hardly a deterrent to driving by those who have had theirs taken away.

So in current practice, driving a motor vehicle is thought of as a right, and cyclists are tolerated as though they are interlopers.

It is so sad that your wife gets upset by other folks using the PUBLIC road in a legal manner.

She is suffering because of the bad behavior and poor driving decisions of other drivers. This, in turn, is causing cyclists ride in such a way so as to reduce a motorist's options, because we can't trust them to make the correct one. We can no longer expect all motorists to responsibly pass us in a safe manner and with due care.

Perhaps she could demand that the local police do a better job of enforcing the traffic laws. If all road users were law abiding and used due care, it would make a safer and more pleasant environment for all.

Stopped cars on the side of the road are hit because drivers dismiss them as being out of the way, and then drift into them while being distracted from piloting their car. They hit stopped vehicles in their lane because while being distracted, they make a quick scan for hazards in their way, and seeing a car in the lane, don't perceive they are stopped until it is too late. But if the car were on it's roof, that quick glance would be enough to tell them it is not moving and react appropriately.

I do not ride on an available shoulder because it is not safe to be dismissed by a motorist at speed because you are out of the way.

95% of my riding is to the left of the white line, and I make it clear to the drivers that they can not squeeze by me in the lane. I will ride to the right of the line if a shoulder is present that is wide (4-5 ft), smooth, clear, and if the speed differential between myself and the autos is considerable.

The only time I have been hit from behind, I was on a 3' wide paved shoulder and exactly what Chipseal describes above occurred. Luckily it was only a glancing blow from the truck driver that clearly saw me, dismissed me as being out of the way, then inexplicably swerved over the white line.

Bicyclists, when out of control, tend to harm mostly themselves and rarely anyone else. Have you ever heard any reports of cyclists smashing through the wall of a building? Knocking over a fire hydrant?

Actually, I have heard reports of cyclists severely injuring/killing (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Teen_Cyclist_Runs_Into_Kills_Pedestrian_in_Pacific_Palisades.html) pedestrians. They can also make cars swerve.

Actually, I have heard reports of cyclists severely injuring/killing (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Teen_Cyclist_Runs_Into_Kills_Pedestrian_in_Pacific_Palisades.html) pedestrians. They can also make cars swerve.

Though from the article it is not completely clear what happened, what seems ironic about your linked story is that the accident likely wouldn't have occurred if the bicyclist was in the traffic lane. Based on the description in the article, is seems like the accident occurred on the shoulder of the road.

the accident likely wouldn't have occurred if the bicyclist was in the traffic lane

That's the same reasoning many people make to ride bicycles on the shoulder. (If cars and bikes are in different areas, they won't crash; if bikes and pedestrians are in different areas, they won't crash)

Either way, I was simply pointing out that bikes aren't as harmful as seemingly portrayed.

why is cycling a right and driving a car a privilege?

Because only those who can satisfy the requirements to hold a driver's license may lawfully drive on public roads, whereas any free citizen may ride a bicycle.


That's the same reasoning many people make to ride bicycles on the shoulder. (If cars and bikes are in different areas, they won't crash; if bikes and pedestrians are in different areas, they won't crash)

Either way, I was simply pointing out that bikes aren't as harmful as seemingly portrayed.

He said "mostly", which is true.

Bicycles being a mortal danger in the most extreme of circumstances in no way makes them equivalent to motor vehicles which routinely kill and injure people even in the most mild circumstances such as pulling away from traffic lights.

I don't pay any attention to lines...where I ride is based upon the conditions at the moment.


That says it best. Conditions and attitudes determine how we ride.