Originally Posted by chipcom

The OP's words regarding taking the lane come off to me more like cutting off drivers, rather than merging when it is safe to do so and negotiating the space you need if traffic is heavy. Of course he also alludes to the 'pressure' of riding in traffic, which is something I can't identify with...I don't feel any more pressure riding my bike in traffic than I do walking down the street, and definitely feel less pressure than when driving, working or trying to get into a restaurant.

Originally Posted by billh

Yes, I feel the "pressure".