Originally Posted by
realityinabox
Taking the lane or not almost always depends on the size of the lane and general road condition. If it is a narrow lane in a 25mph zone, take it. If it is a wider lane where it is safe to slide to the side and you won't get pinched between a car and curb, then don't be a jerk, move over and let traffic pass. If it is a wider lane, but the right side is pothole hell (typical in MI), then take the lane.
My commute is a pretty good mix of narrow lanes, wide lanes, bike lanes, sharrows, and neighborhood streets. The most important thing is to keep your head up and be obvious about what you're doing. Hold the line as much as possible and be predictable.
That's what I figure is the answer for me too. I take the middle of the lane on the main thoroughfare nearest my house, because there's another lane cars can use to pass me, and the sidewalks there are more difficult to ride on anyway (narrow, not too heavy pedestrian traffic, but there's always someone walking and half the time with a stroller or dogs; some portions of the sidewalk stick out, etc.). I'd rather have motorists pass me on the next lane over, and not take the risk somebody will hit me on a right turn.
When I turn into my home street, I go more to the right because it's just wide enough for one car to go through (if two cars are moving in opposite directions, one has to pull over), it's a climb so I'm even slower than usual, and I'll switch to the sidewalk right away if there's nobody walking on it. If there is somebody on the sidewalk, then I stay on the street until I hear a car behind me, then hopefully get on the sidewalk past the pedestrian/dogs.