First day of claiming the lane
 

Well today I had to run down to the store to fetch some coffee and creamer for my grandfather. I decided today would be the day that I would experiment some with claiming the lane to see if it really is safer. I was smart enough to check our state dmv manual before to insure that I was legally allowed and it did state that unless posted, I could ride my bike on any road except the interstate.

My route consisted of two three roads, my road and another road which doesn't carry much traffic, and another road which cuts straight through our town and leads to the interstate. On the first two roads I had no problem and until my way back I saw no cars. On the main road I had several cars pass me and I discovered that it is in-fact safer to claim the lane (though I did try to stay towards the right of the lane) and allow cars to pass me as if I was a car. They got further away from me then they would have if I would have just tried to ride in the grass. I did have one car that decided that he wanted to honk his horn at me as he passed but he still maintained a safe distance from me and him.

On the way back though I tried to turn off a bit early that way the two cars behind me could go ahead an pass but in the process of doing so I nearly crashed after my bike hit something. So from now on, I am going to claim the lane and let the cars behind pass safely.

Maybe the honker was older.. I think it used to be that you were supposed to honk when passing to ensure the person knew there was a car coming up behind them.

I really hate it went cars honk at me when I take the lane at intersections. Too bad. They can wait the <15 seconds it takes me to cross before I move back into the bike lane. I always recommend taking the lane when going through intersections to avoid being right hooked (and maimed, killed). Don't let those honkers intimidate you. Have extremely bright taillights and clothing and assert your position!

maybe You and I have different expectations about taking the lane.

I always try to ride on the right shoulder when available. If there is no shoulder I ride as far to the right as I can.

If the shoulder is damaged for a short section, I ride on the right most edge of the right lane until the shoulder is restored and then move back onto it.

THIS IS WHEN I TAKE THE LANE

When I am coming up to redlight or stop sign and plan opn turning right or going straight. I gradually move myself into the center of the lane thats going straight when it is safe to do. I just fall in behind any cars waiting at the light. I do this to make myself more visible to motorists and avoid the right hook.

If I plan on turning left at a redlight or stop sign. I move into the left turning lane when it is safe to merge over. again this is for visibilty to motorist.

either way, as soon as I am through the intersection I go back onto the shoulder or the right most edge of the right lane. I do not ride in the center of the lane for any extended periods, especially if there is a good shoulder available.

Be safe. and there will always be people who will honk at you.

^^^ I pretty much do as catonec when I ride on the road.

On these roads there is a very narrow shoulder and not exactly safe to ride on considering most cars will not move over or barely will.

But this was during the day and I know I was very visible but I am still gonna work on getting some lights and reflectors.

A rear blinking light goes a long way, no need to spend a lot or over do it.

these are cheap and effective.
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...62_-1___202551

So after one ride to pick up coffee, you're ready to say it's safer? :lol:

Correct use of the horn (at least over here anyway) is defined as 'to warn other road users of your presence.' So technically, you should briefly honk the horn whenever you pass someone who may not know you're there, such as a cyclist without rear-view mirrors. In some cities it does seem as if all the cars have the horn wired to both the gas and brake pedals though.

I definitely think taking the lane is safer, if they are honking at least they saw you

So... you have a perfectly good bike lane that you leave in order to "TAKE THE LANE" of the main motorway so you can be safe from hookers... how about wearing a condom? Seriously, how about remaining in the bike lane but instead of mindlessly charging forward the second the light turns green, you hang back a beat and see what's what. Or making eye contact with the lead car to your left. Either works. In my town there are no bike lanes in town. If I come up to the intersection, right turning cars are going to sit there even though they can right turn on red. I intentionally stop 10' short of the intersection so right turners will know I intend not to turn right and that they can go ahead. When I get the light I go ahead, even if there is a right turner waiting I have the right of way and he knows it. It works very well. I've never been honked, never been hooked, never had all the angst that so many here seem to display. Having lights is plain good sense. No need to be specific as to their brightness. The $10 Viewpoint or Ascent flashers that I like do as good a job as anything $$$ from Dinotte.

H

I don't take the lane at all intersections - but I do leave the bike lane if I'm coming up to a stop sign. If I stay in the bike lane, cars have a way of not noticing me.

Considering what I am used to, the trip today did feel much safer.

Yes, I will leave my little bike lane bubble and take the lane as I approach and cross an intersection (where traffic exceeds 20mph). Every time!

And yes, if I'm at a stop light next to drivers, of course I'll make eye contact to see what their intentions are. And 750 flashing lumens in the face from the helmet light usually does the trick to get their attention.

Yeah, guess that works in small towns. And no, your Viewpoints don't even come close to Cygolite, Niteryder, or Dinotte in terms of lighting up the road on solid beams, and more important for heavy traffic, dayflash.

Jonathon I know how you feel. It took me a while to get over the intimidation of riding as traffic instead of shying away from it, and developing a thick skin. It was probably the most dangerous time for me though, until I developed the habits and instincts peculiar to cycling in traffic.

Yep, I've had a few cars give a quick beep as they approached, which I usually take to show they just want me to know they are approaching from behind. I've had the odd guy give a long blast from some distance back before passing too close and too fast - people like that tend to get a wave. Sometimes I use all my fingers to wave.

I definitely think that giving advice about "safety" of "claiming the lane" should be qualified to indicate that it is applicable only to each individual's specific cycling skill, age, and experience in traffic situations as well as being dependent on the specific traffic scenario involved.

I assume that the OP is quite young and I would be hesitant of giving advice to minors and inexperienced youth about the relative safety of "claiming the lane" that is based on nothing but personal opinion and stuff said by somebody on the Internet.

Why do you ASSume that the OP is a minor?

Totally agree with your post, just wondering why you think he is under the age of 18?

"94" in his moniker combined with various other posts about borrowing his sister's bike until his dad buys him his own.

Maybe just turned 18 but definitely "inexperienced youth," not someone who is on his own.

I have to agree with ILtB here. I'm almost 50 years old. I started bicycle commuting here spradically in 2010. I've been biking every work day since May. What I have learned, so far, is that one size does not fit all. Each road has it's own unique circumstances, even the same road/route can be different depending on the time of day. I ride FRAP, in bike lanes, through parking lots (avoiding the street), and take the lane at different spots along my daily commute. My riding style has changed along different sections of the daily route since May.
In fact, even some of the routes have changed.
I'm less concerned about being right as I am about avoiding collision and confrontation.
I want to be prepared for whatever arises and it's a constant learning experience.

Yep, we were shown some "classic" movies in Driver's Ed where the advice was to tap your horn when passing or whenever you saw someone backing out of their driveway, just to alert them to your presence.

THIS.

The truth is that there is no one size fits all style and "rules" in some places work and in others, they don't. There are sections of some roads, and some times, where I do take the lane - though on the whole I consider it inconsiderate and a last resort. There are areas where it really is OK to ride on sidewalks at low speeds (not where I live). A lot of folks act like their preferences are universal when I think they are very dependent on where the person is; the mirror crusaders are a prime example.

Smart riders adapt their behavior to their environment.

Very true. If you collide with anything you're not going to come out of it too happy, even if it was 100% the other guy's fault. If you collide with a motor vehicle you're definitely not going to be happy. If it's your priority but someone driving several tons of steel wants to fight it, you can either yield and stay alive or you can be dead right.