Originally Posted by
wphamilton
Moving left makes it easier for the drivers to see you from behind, and helps them to realize that they need to move over to pass. Otherwise they're tempted to pass in a straight line, sometimes dangerously close.
"Controlling the lane", by which some people mean trying to control traffic by being in their way, is a different story. But taking the lane, when we have to, does discourage the close passes.
Controlling the lane is not about being in anyone's way. It's about maintaining safety, which is top priority. By riding lane center by default, and not weaving back and forth, I'm being more predictable and visible to motorists behind me. And to me that is more courteous than some ill-conceived notion about not "being in the way" or motorists' convenience. Safety trumps convenience ALWAYS.
If there are no bike lanes (or there are dangerous door zone bike lanes), and the right lane is too narrow to share side-by-side (the majority of roads with lane lines in my area) then it's best to control the right lane. Roads are first-come, first-served. I require motorists to change lanes to pass me, and that is what I get, 99.5% of the time.