There was a thread about this not that long ago, but cannot find it for the life of me.

When riding on a 4 lane road (suburbs), speed limit 40 or 45, no side walk, no shoulder (aside maybe 1 foot worth) or a gravel shoulder. Where should I be riding? I try my hardest to avoid these roads, but sometimes I cannot.

I usually ride as far right as I can. I'm starting to think this is not smart. I have noticed that some cars barely move over and come very close to me. It's mostly pick up trucks and I swear they do it on purpose.

Right tire lane would be better since that would force the car to switch lanes, but then again it might not make a difference. Or even worse they will be playing with their radio and run me over. At least with riding as far over as I can, I have more of a chance. I don't know. I do hate riding on these kinds of roads.

I would be in the right tire track or maybe a little left of that for the very reason you cite: you're telling them it's ok to pass in your lane.

4-lane suburban roads can be nightmarish. I second Unterhausen. I'd only add that if cars continue to buzz, I'd take the whole right lane, placing myself smack dab in the middle of the lane. It also depends on lane width. It sounds like these might be the narrower type of lanes with not enough room for bike + car to share the right lane. In that case definitely take the lane.

If there are two lanes in your direction, there's no way you can be impeding traffic significantly. In any case your safety is paramount and if there's not enough room within the lane for vehicles to pass you safely, then logically they have to move at least partially into the other lane to get around you. Given that that is true, then it doesn't really matter where you are in the lane, they have to change lanes anyway. The farthest right I'd ride in these situations is the right tire track. I move farther left until people stop trying to squeak by me.

Sometimes you can't win though; I've been right in the center of the lane and had people go around me with oncoming traffic present on 2 lane roads, pushing the oncoming traffic into the DITCH. Some people feel that it's enough of an imperitive to pass bicycles that if they have to, they'll cause an accident rather than wait for 5 seconds behind a bike.

As far to the right as practicable---as far to the left as necessary to insure my safety.
It depends on the traffic. Usually the right tire track, more to the left in turns and down hill.

Busy shoulderless 4 lanes should be avoided like the plague. Contrary to what some may say, a 20 mph bike on such a road can cause major backups if it is busy enough.

When it is necessary to use them, i like to take a good chunk of the lane, right tire track or better and then watch overtaking traffic like a hawk. A helmet mounted mirror in such conditions is essential, IMHO. If you spend half your time looking over your shoulder, something ahead of you is going to take you out sooner or later.

When riding in these circumstances, i will generally move to the right after i am confident that the overtaking cager has acknowledged my presence by moving over. it's kind of my way of acknowledging him back and thanking him for not buzzing or steamrolling me. i use these same tactics if it is a two lane road, although in that case I might be a little quicker to commence "gutter cowering" as my VC zealot friends like to call it.

If you do find yourself in a situation where it appears that a substantial amount of traffic is backing up due to them all having to merge left to overtake you, it's a good idea to look for a section of useable shoulder or maybe even just pull over and have a swig of water to let the log jam pass. Too often I hear "screw them, if they don't want to waste a few seconds waiting to pass a bike". Just remember it works both ways. We too should consider wasting a few seconds in the interest of 2/4 wheel harmony.

If there is room to safely share the right lane with motor vehicles, share it...if not take the right lane and ride it like you own it - cuz you do.

If you gotta take the lane and you find you are backing up traffic, pull over/off when it is safe to do so and allow the log jam to clear.