Here’s why you should usually ride near the middle of the traffic
lane, assertively taking charge of your own safety, rather than passively
slinking along in the gutter at the edge of the road.
Fig. 1 – Good position by a young cyclist
Fig. 2 – Avoiding the door zone. Ride a bit further out to avoid the “flinch zone”
Fig. 3 – Avoiding the right turn lane
Fig. 4 – Safely allowing right-turn on red
You can deter most unsafe passing by showing overtaking motorists
that they must act — either move over or slow down rather than squeezing by
at full speed (Fig. 1). [See note 1].
You are more likely to be seen by approaching motorists instead of being
subconsciously ignored as part of the “clutter” at the edge of the
road. This makes it less likely that you will be hit from behind by a
distracted motorist not paying full attention to the job of driving.
If you ride near the middle of the lane or even in the left tire track on
a higher-speed road, approaching motorists can see early that the lane
is occupied. This helps both motorists and you (Fig. 1).
You are much less likely to have motorists pass and then immediately turn
right. (This is called a “right hook” and it is a frequent cause of
collisions.)
If a motorist does hook you, it will be from further out in the road where
you can better see it coming and you will have more room to escape.
You are less likely to have left-turning motorists cut in front of
you. This is called a “left cross” and it is very dangerous.
If a motorist does left-cross, you have room to escape.
You are less likely to have a motorist violate your right-of-way by
pulling out from a side street or driveway. This is sometimes called
“drive out”.
If a motorist does pull out in front of you, you have room to escape.
If you ride at least five feet from parked cars, you have zero risk of
being “doored”. And if you stay at least six feet away, you are
unlikely to “flinch” and swerve into traffic if a door is suddenly opened as
you pass (Fig. 2).
On a fast downhill run, you need extra room (Fig. 1).
Being out in the lane allows you to better see and be seen by crossing
traffic (better sight triangles).
Riding near the middle of the lane is safer if the light changes while you
are still in the intersection — both you and the other driver can see each
other sooner and have more space to maneuver.
By staying out of a right-turn lane when you are not turning, you avoid
crossing paths with turning traffic (Fig. 3).
The road is usually in better shape (fewer cracks and holes) where traffic
operates.
Riding well away from parked cars can prevent you from running into a
pedestrian or animal cutting between parked cars.
There are rarely dangerous sewer grates where traffic operates.
If you do have to dodge something, you have room to move away from
passing traffic (to the right), rather than towards traffic.
There is much less debris (glass, gravel, dead mufflers, etc.) where
traffic operates.
You will get fewer flat tires by riding where passing traffic has cleared
the road of broken glass.
If you are “first-out” at a red light where right turn on red is
authorized, you can be polite to motorists by moving up and left to allow the
turn safely on your right rather than unsafely from your left (Fig. 4).
Here’s why most cyclists do not ride assertively to protect their safety.
Cyclists are not taught to do this. Instead, they’re encouraged to
stay out of the way.
Bike lanes and paths are designed to get cyclists out of the way —
exactly contrary to being assertive for safety.
Traffic laws that require riding “as far right as practicable” are often
misinterpreted “as far right as possible.” [See note 2].
If you ride correctly, most people will think you are wrong — and
vice-versa.
If you ride correctly, some motorists will yell or honk their horns.
Occasionally, improperly-trained police illegally harass cyclists for
riding correctly.
Footnotes:
[1] While nothing prevents foolishness by the really reckless driver, you can
prevent almost all incidents of squeeze-by passing by riding correctly.
[2] In Ohio, traffic law includes a clarifying paragraph § 4511.55(C) that
says: “This section does not require a person operating a bicycle to ride at
the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so. Conditions
that may require riding away from the edge of the roadway include when necessary
to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, surface hazards, or
if it otherwise is unsafe or impracticable to do so, including if the lane is
too narrow for the bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by
side within the lane.“
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Fig. 1 – Good position by a young cyclist
Fig. 2 – Avoiding the door zone. Ride a bit further out to avoid the “flinch zone”
Fig. 3 – Avoiding the right turn lane
Fig. 4 – Safely allowing right-turn on red