Originally Posted by
ChipSeal
Yes, taking the lane by a cyclist presents the lowest risk profile for a variety of reasons and hazards when compared to riding to the right, riding on the fog line and riding on the shoulder. The relative advantage of taking the lane increases as the closing speed of overtaking traffic increases. So you got that part right.
A cyclist and a fixed object are perceived identically by an automobile operator traveling at speed. A motorist will take great care and give all his attention to avoid colliding with a stationary object. It would be unusual for a motorist to overlook any object in his path.
He will commonly not perceive objects adjacent to his path. This tunnel vision effect increases when the motorist is distracted from the task at hand. A distracted motorist is more likely to drift out of his lane. He is also more likely to drift to the right than to the left.
A fixed object, and a cyclist, are equally at risk of being hit by traffic if they are both on the same portion of the lane or shoulder. But that risk becomes less the further into the travel lane they go. The chances of being struck in any case is low, as experienced cyclists like Widsith (Years of shoulder riding) and I-Like-To-Bike (Years of taking the lane.) can testify.
pure bunk, full of unsupported conjecture.
RIP rider.