Originally Posted by
Slaninar
Originally Posted by
Digital_Cowboy
How is taking the lane a "less orthodox" solution? We are operating a vehicle, therefore we have a legal right to be on the road.
Although, I do like your suggestion of tying a branch, etc. with a red flag to the back of ones bike.
In my country, the law says "bicycle uses 1 meter of road to the right", so it is practically an offense to take the lane. And it is not always safe.
Through experience, I've come to decide with confidence when it is wise to take the lane and when it is not. In spite of that, a few days ago, I was run off the road buy a truck hauling a trailer. I was taking the lane, he sounded his horn and I saw there was NO way he was going to stop (in time at least). I moved all the way to the right, he passed me and swerved to the right. I had to run off the road, to avoid gettin hit by the trailer.
So vehicle it is, but a lot different one and law is nice, but physics beats it in the street.
Okay, different countries have different rules/laws. Given that this an international forum we need to be careful of making blanket statements.
And as others have noted, when I ride in an assertive manner, i.e. taking the lane, and ride with confidence that I get treated with more respect. When I ride (which isn't too often) in the gutter pan, it hugging the curb I get less respect from motorists.
Another reason for taking the lane, is because the debris from the travel lane gets blown onto the far edge of the road, thus making it more dangerous and unsafe for us to ride too far to the right.