I concur. In a bike lane, if it's safe to be in the centre of it, a little on the right-hand side of it or even relatively close to the curb, then that is where I ride in order to put me a safe distance from motor vehicles. It's there for me to exploit and I exploit it. On roads where I am traveling in traffic without the benefit of the bike lane, I ride about 12 to 18 inches from the curb at a moderate speed. Most motorists slow and/or slide a little to the right when they pass, but there are some that are too impatient and reckless and pass very closely. If I am able to determine that they are going to pass dangerously in advance, I might employ one of your techniques (I like the zig-zag), but as it is, I can't always tell in advance as I am paying attention to road hazards and traffic ahead of me, so I just control my bike to the best of my ability. Riding regularly for thirty years now in congested city traffic, I haven't had an accident in twenty-five years, so I must be doing something right.

The suggestions Serge offers are reasonable and helpful, under the right circumstances and I don't have anything to add except be conspicuous, predictable and respectful. Due to back problems I developed a few years ago, I ride cruisers now because I can keep my back straight, and each of the four bikes I ride regularly are very eye-catching due to styling and colour. I have discovered a side benefit to riding unusual bikes like mine is many motorists who might have sped past me slow down to gawk (often smiling, pointing, giving the thumbs-up in approval, complimenting, etc.). When I towed a trailer for my son, cars were remarkably observant and respectful of the wider area I took up and the fragile cargo I carried (even though sometimes it was only beer ). My tricycle receives the same respect for the reason that it is twice as wide as well. Ordinary-looking (in spite of how interesting, well-equipped or expensive they may be to us) bikes tend to be ignored and deemed almost invisible by motorists, from what I have observed. I don't even get stupid comments from jerks. Now they're all smiles and friendly: sort of like what you'd expect if you were riding an OCC or West-Coast chopper or driving a really cool vintage car. Of course, the bikes I ride aren't for everyone or even most people, but they work for me.