Taking the lane to me could mean a wide range of positions within the lane. Inches of left/right position can make a big difference.

I know some have experiences with not getting good passing clearance in WOLs. I do not discount it, but it puzzles me a bit honestly.

That is because it is the opposite of my experience on many different high speed (up to 55mph) multilane roads with 15ft WOLs. I get fanstastic passing clearance - in fact much better than the passing distance I get when riding toward the left side of a BL (which one must often do for a variety of reasons)

The very reason I am so in favor of WOL over BLs is that my experience with them has been so much more pleasant, not just the passing clearances, but the total and complete flexibility it gives me without any question to myself or any driver as to where I should or should not be within that WOL. Sure in a legal sense one is flexible with a BL present, but there is a total lack of driver education on this and I know based on converstations/observations I have with non-cyclists who don't even know I cycle that they get very upset with cyclist who move to the left of a BL. (example - 'some cyclist was almost out of his lane and I gave him a scare to wake him back up' or from someone who knows I cycle 'why do you guys always ride on the bike lane line - first you want a special lane, you get it and don't even use it right)

Al