Originally Posted by
genec
The lane taking cyclist is only seen better when motorists are actually looking.
The glance and go motorists are looking for large car shaped objects... they can see right through a cyclist who is right in front of them. And the most fatal form of car bike collision is still being hit from behind. As long as motorists continue to try to multi-task behind the wheel... taking the lane is an iffy proposition.
I take the lane when I have to... but given the choice, I'd prefer to be out of the way of the distracted drivers of fast heavy vehicles.
Riding the shoulder would be far more iffy. Because, The safe assumption, is that every motorist is going to be distracted by one thing or another. Just like in a sense, when someone says another person isn't above reproach. Meaning that, always look out for, and assume every motorist is, a distracted driver. Never letting your guard down from that train of thought.