just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
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Quoted: 173 Post(s)
I tend to be courteously assertive when riding on roads. I find that in most situations, if I stake out a reasonable portion of the road to ride safely, car drivers will give me room to ride. I believe that in most things, acting with reasoned assertiveness is safer than being overly cautious. But sometimes drivers are too hurried and aggressive for that approach. Then I will get out of the way or find a different route. I will also pull over to avoid causing several cars to back up behind me, unable to pass.
I will use a shoulder in some situations, but I try to minimize it. Having to move out into the lane when there is trash or other obstacles in the shoulder lane can be more dangerous than riding in the traffic lane consistently. But you have to use good sense.