Originally Posted by
jfowler85
As far as your latter statement, that is absolutely false. You have no control over the cars behind you. If you are going too slow and an opening presents itself to an inclined driver, he/she will pass you. No cyclist has any control over any vehicle on the road, that's just silly to assume you would, and is a great way to get yourself hurt. Waiting in a line of moving traffic is a great way to get rear-ended, if anything.
"Control" may not be the best term, but "influence" certainly works. You ABSOLUTELY influence traffic behind you based on your riding behavior, lane position, hand signals, and probably other factors. There was a study conducted recently of how lane position affects motorist passing distance. The farther left the cyclist gets (farther from the edge), the more likely the motorist is to change lanes to pass. Interestingly, starting from the curb or edge, if one moves just a few feet left (right tire track), passing distances actually get CLOSER. But then as the cyclist moves farther left still towards the left tire track, nearly 100% of motorists change lanes to pass. This directly reflects my experiences in the past 3 years of riding and commuting by bike.
So yes, you definitely can influence motorists behind you. To think you cannot influence others is just silly. The very act of being there influences others. Pretending that other people can't see you is actually a great way to get hurt. The best way to stay safe is to do everything in your power to MAKE SURE other people can SEE you.