Originally Posted by
pdedes
if i'm solo, i'll keep about a meter between my bike and the curb. keeps me out of the debris, forces most drivers to make a definitive move when passing me.
To each his own; I have managed to ride 100,000+ miles within 1-2' of the edge of the road without a problem. I don't want drivers to make any 'definitive moves' other than NOT HITTING ME. I hear what you are saying, but my feeling is that the 'definitive move' might very well be the driver rear ending the cyclist. It's a gray area: depends very much on the road, the condition of the shoulder (if there is one), but I try to stay as far to the right as I can, and it works for me.
Do you have the 'right' to 3' on the side of the road? Yes, you do. The police will console your widow that you died obeying the law.