New Sign On My Commute Route
 

I've been away at the beach for a week so I checked my commuter bike in for some overdue service. On the way to pick it up this afternoon I passed this sign that's on my daily commute route:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337787

This bridge is just about the hairiest part of my commute and is always busy during morning rush hour. The sign wasn't there last week so I had to take a picture and was standing there almost teary-eyed thinking they MUST have put that up for me, when along comes this guy:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337788

Who proceeds to not take the full lane and insteads keeps AFRAP:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337789

He's then followed by this guy (or gal) who is also AFRAP but in an SUV:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337790

He/she then decides to make a dramatic (IMO) swerve to avoid that darn cyclist who dared to cross a bridge at the same time as he/she:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=337791

From being touched to pi$$ed in only about a minute and a half!

IMO taking the middle of the lane is the safest option here, sign or not! Ride safe! Double O

If that were on my commute, I would start looking for a big enough gap to take the lane well in advance of that bridge. When the gap is there, take the lane, keep the lane, cross the bridge, then back to regular approach.

That's exactly how I cross this bridge every day. I wanted to yell at the guy to "take the lane" as he rolled past me, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt. It looked to me like the SUV was considering passing the bike in the lane with another SUV on the left and changed their mind at the last second. A perfect example of why you should always take the lane when there's no room.

AFRAP= As far left as necessary for my safety. On some of the roads around here, that puts me almost on the centerline.

well said

I'm usually in the lane, but I stay about 1/5 to 1/8 of the lane width from the right edge fo the lane. This allows people to pass quickly, albeit illegally, without going completely into the other lane.

+2. Lane management is critical for safety. I'll ride AFRAP most of the time. However, I always ride closer to the centerline when I'm approaching a curve, to discourage cars from trying to pass me on a blind curve. And, I'll do the same anyplace where I think I'll get squeezed otherwise... and this bridge would be a prime example.