Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff
I can move a mere two or three inches to the left of the bike lane and sufficiently signal intent to claim the lane. I can move back into the bike lane and signal that it is okay to pass. These maneuvers would take a very large change in lateral positioning if there were no reference line, such as the case of a WOL. It allows a lane change (or lane claim) to happen in a discrete manner. There is no confusing the intent of a cyclist who is outside of the bike lane, even if it is by only a couple of inches.
This is an interesting regional difference. I have found the absolute worst place to ride is just 3-12" to the left of the BL stripe. That 'round here is an open invitation to get close buzzed and honked at. I have several videos of this, but never bothered to share as I expected the BF-A&S response to be, 'well of course you were buzzed as you were so far to the right in the primary lane -take it instead or stay in the BL' and with this poor driver response, I find the bike lane stripe and the lateral area 2' to either side of it to be 'asking for motorist' trouble zones that I must spend as little time in as possible. So when I get out of a BL, I 'jump' over this zone, instead of smoothy merging right to left as I do in a WOL from the 3' from curb to the center bias position.
Al