In NYC most car traffic is traveling like a slinky or a rubberband being pulled- it stretches and then catches up to itself. When the cars are stretched, I am in the left lane and it is mine. Many streets are one way, I stay and pass on the left. When the cagers are piled up, honking, idling, trying to sell their mother to get one carlength ahead, I filter. I can't accelerate like a car, but I can cruise just below the city speed limit of 30mph. There is no reason that I can find that I should sit in a line of cars, that is going to rush forth to get slowed down by other cars only 50 to 75 yards ahead.

Jalopy, you probably got buzzed because you were hugging the gutter on the right side of the road, yes? You need to take that lane, and ride on the driver's side if possible. You are then right next to them, not across the car, on the furthest side. Outside of urban areas, ( with low max speed limits) there are some roads where you really can't get away with this. In New York City, this is how you prevent "accidental" buzzing and right hook collisions.