Originally Posted by
FBinNY
I'm very much an agnostic on the "taking the lane concept". I have no objection to taking the land, and will when I fell it's appropriate, but I'm also mindful of the needs, wants, or rights of other road users and try to create passing opportunities whenever I can.
For me, there's a world of difference between taking the lane, and holding the lane. The NJ law is pretty clear on this allowing cyclists to hold the lane when moving with the flow of traffic, but requiring them to keep right otherwise, with room for discretion based on road conditions.
In my long cycling career, I've only been stopped by one officer because of my lane placement, which was well out in the lane of a twisty 2 lane road. He was miffed that I made safe passing nearly impossible, and I explained that the right side of the lane was very broken up and I was as far right as possible. Fortunately his superviser happened to pull up before we got very far in the conversation, and asked what the problem was. The officer started to explain, and before he finished, or I could get a word in, the sergeant pointed to the road and asked in classic NY terms "Where the F do you expect him to ride" (pointing to me and the road), and sent me on my way with "stay safe".
People here on BF can get very adamant about the law, or rights, but IMO it's not about that at all. It's about courtesy and getting along so everybody wins.
To the OP, it seems you had an OK cop. He had a problem, you had an explanation, and you were able to part with mutual pride and respect intact.
I could not agree more. The issues are being safe and being courteous to others. This isn't a civil rights struggle, and I don't want to feel like I'm in a demonstration when I ride my bike. It's annoying being stuck behind slow moving traffic, especially when it's a very small minority inconveniencing everyone else.
If I HAVE to take a lane, I will...but I also am going to make every reasonable effort to let people by, including choosing alternate routes that, while not convenient for me, might be more convenient to others.
While I'm sure this view will be unpopular, my personal opinion is that if your commute takes you through dangerous areas REQUIRING you to take a lane, and inconveniencing large volumes of faster traffic while doing so, there is some burden on you to live, or work, in an area more conducive towards your choices and less annoying to the 99.9% of traffic your choices impact.
It's legal to burn flags...I'm glad it's legal, but I think anyone who does it is a jack ass. If your only basis for your actions are that it's legal, and convenient for you, you're missing the point.