Originally Posted by
Andy_K
I've tried to figure out a way to take the lane. The best I've come up with is to do it on the other side of the intersection. Even that's not easy in heavy traffic.
It may not be easy to think about but it is easy to do. I ride the same area and I haven't come that far East yet lately but I wouldn't be afraid to take the lane anywhere in PDX Metro. Where I used to live the cars would actively speed up and force you out if you tried it. I haven't seen that kind of squeeze play at work out here. I don't like to do it, its admitting, to the second class status of bicycles but there is the odd intersection where its actually quicker to make a right turn, do a quick u-ie and go left with the cross traffic. YMMV.
H