Although your state law clearly allows it, you'll want to present some documentation of precedent for cyclists using the center of the lane, including official government publications that represent this as a normal and reasonable thing to do where the lane is narrow.

Here are some examples:

Streetwise Cycling (NCDOT):
“On a very narrow road […] the best approach is to ride a straight line far enough
from the curb to discourage unsafe passing. [….] In vary narrow lanes, you may
have to ride far enough from the edge to discourage unsafe passing.”
http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle...e_Cycling.html

Cary (NC) Bicycle Map (See also the Raleigh Bicycle Map):
“On a road with very narrow lanes, ride far enough from the edge to discourage
dangerously close passing.”
http://www.townofcary.org/depts/dsde...cleplanmap.htm

North Carolina Driver Handbook (NCDOT/DMV):
“Bicycles
Bicycle riding is an important means of transportation, particularly for traveling
to and from work and school. Because bicycles are vehicles, bicyclists must obey
the same traffic laws as other drivers. Bicyclists usually ride on the right side of
the lane, but are entitled to the use of a full lane.
“Pass With Care
“A bicyclist staying to the right in their lane is accommodating the following
drivers by making it easier to see when it is safe to pass, and easier to execute the
pass. Drivers wishing to pass a bicyclist may do so only when there is abundant
clearance and no oncoming traffic is in the opposing lane. When passing a
bicyclist, always remember the bicyclist is entitled to the use of the full lane.”
http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv.../bicycles.html


Florida Bicycling Street Smarts (Florida DOT)
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/Safety/pe.../pdf/index.htm
and identical wording in the Pennsylvania Bicycle Driver Manual:
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/docs/pamanual.pdf
“On a multilane road with narrow lane, ride in the middle of the right lane. If you hug the edge, you
are likely to get squeezed out. [….] Understand that the law is on your side. The law gives you the
right to use the road, the same as a motorist, and to make other traffic slow down for you
sometimes. The driver approaching from the rear is always required to slow and follow if it’s not
possible to pass safely. [….] It may seem dangerous to make a motorist slow down for you, but it’s
not. [….] Remember, the drivers behind you don’t have room to pass you safely anyway. If you
ride all the way over at the right, you’re inviting them to pass you where the road is too narrow and,
too often, you will get squeezed off the road. If you show clearly that it’s not safe for drivers to
pass you, they’re unlikely to try. [….] On a road with two or more narrow lanes in your direction -
like many city streets - you should ride in the middle of the right lane at all times. You need to send
the message to drivers to move to the passing lane to pass you. If you ride all the way to the right,
two cars may pass you at the same time, side by side, and squeeze you off the road.”

Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Rules for riding bicycles on the road:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/...ycle/rules.htm
“Narrow lanes: Ride in the center of the lane.”

Biking in New Jersey, Touring Tips (New Jersey DOT):
http://www.state.nj.us/transportatio.../tourtips.shtm
“If the outside lane is too narrow for side-by-side sharing with motor vehicles, move toward the
middle of the lane (i.e., ‘take the lane’) to indicate that motor vehicle traffic must change lanes to
pass safely.”

City of Fort Collins, Colorado:
http://www.ci.fort-collins.co.us/bicycling/rules.php
“Be aware that when roads are too narrow for cyclists and motorists to ride side by side, cyclists are
encouraged to take the lane when appropriate. This is especially true for narrow City streets where
cyclists can be ‘pinched’ between vehicles.”

Maine Motorist Handbook and Study Guide:
http://www.dmv-department-of-motor-v...er_manual.html
“An experienced bicyclist will often “command the lane” by moving further into the roadway.
Motorists must yield. Slow down to avoid an accident. When it is safe to pass allow at least three
feet to your right side when passing.

Wisconsin Motorist's Handbook:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers...e-handbook.pdf
“Do not share a lane with a pedestrian or bicyclist. Wait until it is safe to pass in the adjoining lane.
Bicycles are vehicles, and are entitled to a full traffic lane. Give a bicycle at least three feet of room
when you pass.
“Bicyclists are legal users of the road. As such, they are entitled to the full use of a travel lane,
although a bicyclist may choose to use the shoulder.”

Oregon Driver Manual:
http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf
“Do not crowd bicyclists. Wait for a clear stretch of road before passing a bicyclist who is moving
slower than your motor vehicle in a lane too narrow to share. Remember, the bicycle is a slowmoving
vehicle and this may require you to slow down. The greater the speed difference between
you and a bicyclist, the more room you should allow when passing.


A number of states explicitly define 14' as the threshold width, below which is considered too narrow to require same-lane sharing. Others leave that judgement to the cyclist.