Originally Posted by
spivonious
I actually have drivers pass a bit closer when there's a white line they can follow.
This.
If they have their own lane, and I have my own lane, there are zero thoughts given to passing me. If I'm in "their" lane then they get apprehensive, scared, cautious, or whatever else you want to call it and often give even too much room during the pass. Of course, there's always, on every ride, the angry fellow who passes way too close. I feel what the bike lane does is give me more room from the guy who is just not going to move over for me, and for this I am often thankful.