veggie_lover

From https://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/chapter2a.htm

On a multilane road with narrow lane, ride in the middle of the right lane.



In my city 70% of cyclists use the sidewalk, remaining 30% hug the curb/ white line. If this is the right way to ride ( which I think it is ), how come nobody does it?

e-Man

Because car drivers think they own the road and will voice their displeasure at a bike that they feel is in their way. Staying as far out of the road as possible seems to increase your chance at surviving. I always ride on the sidewalk or next to it, but I also make sure anyone walking on the sidewalk gets the right of way since technically I am not supposed to be on it.

veggie_lover

As someone on this forum says, 'If you look like prey you will get eaten'. If you ride assertively in your lane, people are not going to mess with you. Of course there is that tiny minority who may still get mad, but such risk is there if you are on the white line or from angry pedestrians on the sidewalk.

FlyingAnchor

Depends on where I am riding, the hwy (101) has a speed limit of 65 mph, no way am I riding like that. The city streets are a different matter, especially when I am making a left hand turn, then I take the lane (left) about a block early and stay there. If I am chugging up a hill I stay as far right as "practical"

Steven

Machka 

Because it's not the right way to ride ... it's actually illegal.

According to the traffic act in the province where I live, cyclists must ride as far to the right as practicable. Not down the middle of the lane.

Check your laws.

veggie_lover

Why not? How is the alternative of riding as far right as possible safer where every third car is going to buzz you at 65 mph?

veggie_lover

I think my laws say the same thing. They need to be changed. But I doubt that will happen given that less than 1% of total cyclists bike this way.

Carusoswi

Because most of us ride for enjoyment, exercise, transportation, not to fight some imaginary war against the majority of road users. I can get where I'm going safely, comfortably, enjoyably, and quickly without being in the face of every motorist who overtakes me.

Take the middle of the lane as you show, and every motorist who approaches from the rear has to move into the next lane to overtake you. At best, you force all those motorists to move to the next lane (totally), and if there is already traffic in that lane, you force them to slow to your 15-20mph pace from whatever motor vehicle speed prevails on that particular stretch of road.

In some vicinities, you may be ticketed for not riding as far right as practicable.

Right or wrong, it's not worth it to most cyclists.

You want to spend your riding time fending off motorists to make a statement, go ahead.

Caruso

MandaRin

I moved to a city with bike lanes...which drivers mistake for turning shoulders all the time...then they take right of way and look at you like your the arse. I dunno does not compute I guess. We also cannot legaly take up a lane unless you have a partner and riding side by side..which makes sense I guess.

mike

"taking the lane" as illustrated in the drawing is about as scary as riding in the gutter. I hate bicycling in traffic anyway. If you take the lane, it is only a matter of time before someone not paying attention runs you over.

If you ride the gutter, nearly every car on the road is going to give you a close call as they try to squeeze between you and the cars in the other lane.

All in all, the least scary and probably the safest is "taking the lane". Neither are ideal, but if you ride the gutter, most drivers will take chances trying to squeeze by you and your chances of getting bumped or hit are high.

stevo9er

I think one thing a lot of cyclists here don't consider is the fact that a lot of cyclists are extremely slow it really isn't practical. My wifes mother has taken to biking around but she bikes between 5-10mph. I can't see her taking a lane or trying to use a left turn lane. Instead she rides on a lot of sidewalks where there are no lanes and cross at crosswalks.

ctwxlvr

The only time I see this a being legal in most places is when there are parked cars to your right and traffic is light. as for me I ride the road as far right as practical and with traffic.

CommuterRun

That's a legal lane position here. In a lane too narrow to share that illustration is as far right as practicable. It's a much safer lane position than hugging the curb, and a whole lot safer than riding on the sidewalk.

I may not be right in the middle of the lane under those conditions, but I will be a position that gives me the entire right half of the right lane. In certain situations, I will be in the middle of the lane. Sometimes the left tire track.

All of the "Bicycling Street Smarts" books are an excellent source of information.

I fact, I am a firm believer that multiple, same direction, narrow lanes are the best, and safest, cycling infrastructure. The sub-standard width gives the cyclist the full use of the lane, and motor vehicles have another lane in which to pass.

genec

Define "nobody."

I know several people that ride like that... and in a narrow lane, really what other way is there to ride?

Allister

Which is fine as long as the traffic is light enough to allow that pass. If it isn't, hold onto your heart, 'cause they'll be right up your date, and not happy about it.

Bekologist

know how to intrepret your laws, machka. on a road with a narrow lane, riding 'as far right as practicable' will sometime mean taking up the entire lane. urban conditions often necessitate this.

I suspect 10 percent of drivers fume when they see a bicyclist in the lane even if they aren't affecting the motorist in any way (like if the motorist is coming the other direction) and at least 1 percent behind you are going to honk- bicyclists, we do get no respect!

making

About 3 or 4 miles of my commute is a road like this. I stay well away from the crub in the right tire track but not in the middle of the lane. There is so much oil nad debris in the center I think it could be dangerous. You can still make it obvious you clearly do not want to share your lane. I would use the L tire track before the middle.

Vodalus

+1

Grim

Yep in GA the law clear states as far right as possible.

I ignore it and when I can I take the lane on curves and at any side streets to avoid "the squeeze" and the "right hook". Sometimes you get caught out and get freight trained by a line of cars. That's when its really scary and most of my commute is a double lane roads like illustrated but curvy in spots. For the most part when traffic is light most drivers will act like that and change lanes. Something about rush hour and all courtesy and safety goes out the window especially if they have a phone in their hand.

talleymonster

AMEN. That sums it up pretty good. Own your Lane!

I-Like-To-Bike

And there is a tiny minority of bicyclists who actually believe that incessant posturing and sloganeering forms an impervious shield about them when cycling in real traffic, just like in the pleasant drawings/diagrams in their well thumbed books and pamphlets.

gcottay

Many of us ride exactly like that where the right lane is not wide enough to safely share.

In my opinion, the take or share decision is a cyclist responsibility since it so much more difficult for motor traffic to determine the safe option. Likewise, we are responsible for making our decision clear by our lane position. Personally, I also accept responsibility for my choice of routes.

benjdm

If the lane is too narrow for the bike and car to share, then the middle of the lane IS as far right as practicable. It is actually legal.

AlmostTrick

The reason almost no one rides like that is because they either don't know they are allowed to, (and should for their own safety) or they allow motorists to intimidate them into an unsafe riding position.

Like you, I (and area motorists) practically never see any rider not in the gutter or on the side walk. Even so, holding the entire lane when appropriate still works well when I do it. Contrary to what some think, drivers will not run you over just because you're in front of them. Even the ones who do get upset, still almost always pass me safely.

tomg

i'm somebody, i ride assertively, and claim a lane as needed - right tire area. (VB- "ride like this"!)

i rode almost 90 miles (85.5 dst) so far this week in club (1) and commuting (3) events. my commuter is full with right/left-front and rear Pannier sets, a handlebar bag, rack pack, flag, and myself. like a peacock, i consider all of my vehiclar bicycle's size and colors help in the identification of needed safe (shared) areas. behave predictably!

it appears, for the most part, drivers around here have an understanding of how to share.

there are, as always, many many more hurtles to work on for bicycle/pedestrian inclusion!