Originally Posted by Bécane
Once somebody explained his theory to me about the distance you should keep from the edge of the road. If you keep one feet from the edge, then cars will only leave you one feet when they pass by you. Wherease, if you keep 6 feet, then they will pass by leaving you 6 feet.
Yes, I've noticed this too. My theory is that there is a natural tendency to preserve symmetry. The symmetry theory holds most of the time, but not always. And I have observed that the exceptions seem to have much more to do with the particular situation, than the individual motorist. In particular, regardless of the distance you leave to your right, if it looks like there is enough room within your lane to your left for motorists to squeeze their cars into that space, many will.
For example, if riding 5 feet from the edge of parked cars (to stay out of the door zones) leaves about 7 feet of lane to your left, drivers (especially of small cars) will still try to squeeze in. In that case you should move a bit further to the left. Just a few inches further and they'll leave plenty of space as they give up squeezing into the lane and pass you with plenty of room to spare.
Originally Posted by galen_52657
It happens so fast, all you can do is squinch as far right as you can.
That's not all you can do. See
post #13.
Serge