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Old December 9th 10, 03:39 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Duane Hébert
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Posts: 384
Default Bicyclist Fatalities in AZ 2009

On 12/9/2010 1:10 AM, RobertH wrote:
On Dec 8, 10:14 pm, Frank wrote:

I have NEVER said I always "aim for," or ride in, the middle of a
lane. I have many times said I share a lane whenever it's safe to do
so. However, it's not safe to do so in a ten foot lane, unless
perhaps the passing vehicle is a motorcycle or other bicycle.


Right. But when in you are "controlling the lane," as I specified, you
always aim for the general center of the lane? Or are there times when
you choose to ride further left?


Riding in the
middle of such a lane gives a five-foot buffer to right side hazards,
less than the width of a standard suburban sidewalk.


So you seem to be saying you, too, would ride in the middle of that
lane when a truck is behind. Don't be shy about saying that.


Read it again. That is most certainly not what I am saying, or even
what I "seem to be saying."

To be clear what I am actually saying is that a fixation on a down-the-
center lane position, when so many other 'positions' are open and
available, is questionable at best. In most situations a five-foot
buffer to right side hazards will be woefully inadequate. Dangerous,
you might say. You give a good example of how dogmatic adherence to
arbitrary vehicular cycling guidelines ("primary position, secondary
position") can lead to a decrease in rider safety.

It makes me wonder: Have you really thought this through, in terms of
maximizing actual space? Or is the 'lane-controlling' center lane
position more about theater?

Probably on such a street I would be riding close to the middle of the
road, not the middle of the lane. But it massively depends, on so many
things. I also don't mind moving over to help someone pass if
possible. If a street required constant "lane controlling" in front of
anxious traffic I would also try to find a better one.


This seems to be what every single person here is telling Frank.
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