Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
I definitely think that giving advice about "safety" of "claiming the lane" should be qualified to indicate that it is applicable only to each individual's specific cycling skill, age, and experience in traffic situations as well as being dependent on the specific traffic scenario involved.
I assume that the OP is quite young and I would be hesitant of giving advice to minors and inexperienced youth about the relative safety of "claiming the lane" that is based on nothing but personal opinion and stuff said by somebody on the Internet.
I have to agree with ILtB here. I'm almost 50 years old. I started bicycle commuting here spradically in 2010. I've been biking every work day since May. What I have learned, so far, is that one size does not fit all. Each road has it's own unique circumstances, even the same road/route can be different depending on the time of day. I ride FRAP, in bike lanes, through parking lots (avoiding the street), and take the lane at different spots along my daily commute. My riding style has changed along different sections of the daily route since May.
In fact, even some of the routes have changed.
I'm less concerned about being right as I am about avoiding collision and confrontation.
I want to be prepared for whatever arises and it's a constant learning experience.