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Why do they do that? Lane position.
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Part three: Lane position
Why do more and more cyclists ride well into the right hand lane? Isn't it dangerous?
The previous post in this series was about equipment, specifically clothing, so it's appropriate to follow it with one about technique.
Lane positioning is one of the core lessons in bicycling education. Taking the lane is a difficult concept for motorists and cyclists alike. On one hand, a cyclist who rides assertively is often seen as arrogant or deliberately impeding traffic. On the other hand, a cyclist who rides along the fog line may think he's being courteous to overtaking drivers, but he'll also complain vociferously about those who pass within inches of his handlebar. He's afraid that a car might hit him from behind. Fear from the rear is the 900 pound gorilla in the room, so let's discuss it.
You parents probably said, "Have fun on your new bike, but stay out of the way of cars!" Children need simple, easily understood rules because they haven't developed the judgment skills so necessary for safe bicycle operation in traffic. Unfortunately, many adults haven't progressed since their grade school days.
About 8% of all bicycle/motor vehicle crashes occur from motorists driving into a bicyclist from behind. Half of these crashes happen at night to cyclists without lights or reflectors. Obviously, if you avoid riding at night, or if you fit lights and reflectors, you reduce the overall risk of this type of crash. We can reduce the risk even further by adopting some simple lane positioning techniques.
First, let's look at that cyclist riding along the fog line or even in the gutter. He believes that he's being both safe and courteous, but as noted, he'll experience many more 'brush by' passes than a vehicular cyclist. Think about this from the motorist's point of view. A driver has to make a decision about passing. Is there enough space? Did the cyclist wobble a little bit? He's making these decisions as the distance closes, and too often, he'll decide to 'thread the needle' between the cyclist and on-coming traffic. Some motorists simply hate to slow down even momentarily.
"Gutter bunnies" is the pejorative for riders who ride that far to the right. Unfortunately, the law is more than a little confusing when it comes to the "far to the right" language. Many states say that a bicyclist must ride as far to the right as practicable. This does not mean he must ride as far right as possible, and in fact, some states have amended this to 'as far right as is safe.' The latter wording is better, but obviously doesn't define where to find that 'safe' portion of the roadway.
Now, consider a similar scenario with a cyclist riding vehicularly - riding her bike as a vehicle. She's in a typical lane about 12 feet wide with a third of it to her right. That puts her solidly in the right-hand tire track, safely away from the gutter and its accumulated debris. There's about 7 feet to her left and the road centerline - too little space for a car to squeeze by in the same lane. So overtaking motorists slow down, wait until it's safe to pass, and then go around her at a safe distance.
There are some motorists and cyclists who find that appalling. Cyclists mistakenly think they'll face greater risks of being hit from behind. But motorists are very good at noticing and avoiding things directly in front of them. It's when they're forced to make a judgment call - i.e. is there enough room to pass safely? - that they make mistakes.
Some motorists are annoyed when we take the lane. Some of them believe that the roads are for motor vehicles alone. Some believe thay have the right to go as fast as they want whenever they want, and nothing should slow them down. None of it is true, of course, and a thoughtful motorist recognizes that a cyclist maximizes his safety when he takes the lane. It's not a matter of arrogance or a deliberate attempt to impede traffic. Just like anyone else, cyclists want to reach their destinations as quickly and safely as possible.
Same rights. Same rules. Same road.
Part One: low speed aerodynamics
Part Two: bicycling clothing
