Originally Posted by
SlimRider
It's not advisable to always take the lane. In many cases, you just manage to piss drivers off. Only take the lane when you're about to make a left turn and you've got to move to the left to make the turn, or when there's not enough room for both you and the cars. Otherwise, stay to your right and allow cars to pass.
Ultimately it's about sharing the lane. If there's space for cars to pass safely then by all means let them. But hugging the gutter just means anyone who does pass a little too close leaves you with nowhere to go. (I know you're not telling people to hug the gutter but some people read "keep right" and see "hug the gutter")
So by all means keep to the side to let people pass, but if it's not safe to pass then take the lane to make it clear to drivers they are going to have to do it properly.