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When should you NOT take a narrow lane?

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When should you NOT take a narrow lane?

Old 04-30-14, 02:25 PM
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When you say "narrow lane" I hear "there's not enough room in the lane for a car to pass me on my bicycle." If that's the case, you have two choices.

1: Get off the road. Maybe you can get back on the road for as long as there are no cars coming, but you have to get off the road when one comes. Not particularly viable if there's a ditch, rock face, or dropoff.

2. Take the lane. Traffic behind you can wait until it's safe to pass.
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Old 04-30-14, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by alan s
I don't see anything in that video that demonstrates a bike rider is more visible riding in the center of the lane vs. on the right. In light traffic on a six-lane road, all of the cars easily change lanes to go around the bike rider. I'd stay to the far right on that road, as there is no reason to block traffic.
And you're completely ignoring your visibility to the drivers of cars entering the highway from the sides.

They'll see you a whole lot better if you're out in the lane because they're not even looking along the edge of the road.

And as has already been pointed out, cyclists don't block traffic - any more than drivers of cars block traffic.
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Old 04-30-14, 04:28 PM
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All I can say in response to "take the lane" folks, is I'll purposely block cars from passing me in certain situations where my safety dictates it. I make it obvious that I'm blocking them from passing me, and then get out of the way at the earliest oppportunity. However, I'll never just ride along in the middle of the lane like some seem to advocate. I've been riding a long time on all sorts of roads, and have never been in an accident with a car, or even come very close, because I choose safe routes, ride very attentively and look out for my safety first. (I don't believe in jinxing myself, so don't even go there). Ride how you want, and be safe. You are the only one who is going to get injured or killed in a collision.
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Old 04-30-14, 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted by alan s
How does "taking the lane" make you more visible? I think it makes you less visible to the cars that are behind the car immediately behind you. The guy immediately behind you can see you in the middle or to the side of the lane. All "taking the lane" does is block the cars from passing, which in some situations is good, and in others, bad. I'll block cars from passing if absolutely necessary, but otherwise, ride to the side to make passing easier. Do you "take the lane" guys block all cars because you think it is safer in all circumstances? I don't see the wisdom in that.
well, I always try to take the lane (which has helped prevent right hooks due to visibility). with that said if a car comes up (which I normally notice before they get too close) I determine whether its safe (most of the time it is...) and will pull over to allow them to pass (usually with no need to slow down, even so they will slow down a bit as they pass and will give me some room).

before that I used to hug the right side of the road (near the fog line) and there were multiple drivers who wouldn't even shift a bit to give me room during the pass even though the road was clear to do so.
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Old 04-30-14, 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by DunderXIII
Its weird reading this thread because on Monday a cyclist lost her life in the streets of Montreal taking the lane on a Bixi. She was read-ended by a truck. It's very sad; but its producing a hell of a commotion with local authorities to make it safer for cyclists.

It seems pretty clear from the press report that cyclists have the right to take the lane; so it should be mass knowledge right?

But you have people, working for the city!, who do not know about the law and honk at cyclists when they take the lane. This ended up in the local news; sorry its in french. Basically the guy says "Its dangerous" and "You don't have the right"; which is totally wrong.

Un cycliste sermonné par un employé de la Ville | Marie-Michèle Sioui et Annabelle Blais | Montréal

She died right where I passed, several times .. :-( I used to park, walk & bike there, it troubles me deeply. That said though, I still take the lane when its safe. As sad as this whole thing is, I believe its a rare, yet tragic, event and should not stop me from taking the lane.

Its a good idea to know what's happening behind; for instance of you have an 18-wheeler behind it might not be wise to take the lane; especially in a downard slope, they just can't stop! For this though, you need to carry, and use a bike mirror.
The culture of "me first because i am in my car" could quickly be curtailed with proper education of new drivers & pervasive signs and perhaps even advertising.... The more you reach people the better things will get. I literally stood in a traffic lane waiting in the rain for cars to stop at a crosswalk a few minutes ago... I guess their trip is more important than the law.

- Andy
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