tcv
Learned Hand
Reged: 01/13/05
Posts: 1237
Loc: Cape Canaveral, FL
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Periodically I will see another rider going down the road riding in the right hand side of the lane, which to me is the last place you would want to be riding as far as position on the road. I am not talking about where you would be prior to entering a turn, or coming out of a turn, but just heading down a two lane road. Under normal conditions I like to be in the left side of the lane as close to the center of the road as I am comfortable. There are a number of reasons for this:
1. I can see oncoming traffic better. I can generally see around the car in front.
2. I can see traffic behind me better. I can generally see around the car behind me.
3. Oncoming traffic will see me better.
4. Traffic behind me will see me better.
5. Merging traffic will have a better chance of seeing me. Riding on the right hand side is asking not to be seen. Cars are looking for other cars and generally they are looking down the middle of the road, not along the side of the road.
6. I will have 2/3 of my lane still available to me in an emergency. Riding on the right hand side I will have no lane available in an emergency.
7. When I pass a slower moving vehicle I only have to shift the bikes position about half a lane, so that I am in the right side of the left lane. Again near the center line.
There are several other reasons, but I don't remember them all.
Sometimes I want to pull up to the guy riding the right hand lane and explain this to them, but I just have this feeling that they will look at me like I am the idiot.
Tom
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Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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ThomWill
Learned Hand
Reged: 10/01/07
Posts: 1628
Loc: Georgia
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I agree, I prefer to hang to the left and only move momentarily to the right if I am following something large (box truck, school bus) and there are cars waiting to pull out on that side so they have a better chance of seeing me.
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Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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BrianT
Loquacious
Reged: 06/18/06
Posts: 2599
Loc: Fort Lauderdale, FL USA.
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Number one:
If it's a two lane road, when someone pulls out to pass, especially a big vehicle they can't see around, the first part of your lane they will see is the extreme right. They can't see the left part of your lane until they are several feet into it.
Number two:
Again a two lane road, if they wander into your lane, the left part is the first they invade.
I can be found in any part of my lane, it changes depending on where the biggest threat is.
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Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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newt
Oil Expert
Reged: 02/03/05
Posts: 2283
Loc: BONITA SPGS. FL.
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i think that that is one of the smartest things we can do in the "trying to be safe department" my wife is always on my back about rideing to close to the line but i keep telling her, its the safest place to be. as Tom said all traffic has a better chance of seeing me. the guy in front?? i'm in his rearview!! the guy comeing?? my headlight is in his face!! the guy 2 cars back who is trying to pass the car behind?? he knows your there before he try's to pass and finds out to late!!!! it just makes sense, its just the safest place to be!!!!! some yrs ago, a friend was rideing and was behind a truck, he was rideing to the far right, a car turning left didnt see him behind the truck and nailed him. he is no longer available for conversation.  it was a lesson that me and many of my friends learned through his mistake.
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ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Wade
Loquacious
Reged: 05/09/07
Posts: 2863
Loc: North Ga . USA
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I've seen too many distracted folks swerve over the line for me to feel comfortable to ride that close in the left . I like to wander all over the lane , like a drunk person , it's fun to score hits on small dead critters and brush right shoulder with trash cans . Really . Triumph , go yer own way .
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2005 Model . Two Fast Eddy stickers , a bell and a clock . She's Lola . She tinkles and keeps time .
http://s649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/britbike05/
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jerry
Adjunct
Reged: 01/13/05
Posts: 347
Loc: Perryopolis, Pennsylvania USA
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TCV, Nice comment. I have a good friend that I ride with that does that. I cannot thru conversation make him see the light. I am afraid that the day will come when some old goat will make 3 lanes where there are only 2. That also goes for the lead man in a group. He should be left of center for the same reason. If you ride that right hand line,,,,,"they will come over on you" It's just a matter of time.
jerry
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2005 America, Green, Thunderbike exhaust
LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET THE HE** OUT OF THE WAY!
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roundy77
Loquacious
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 3572
Loc: Houston,TX
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Quote:
Number one:
If it's a two lane road, when someone pulls out to pass, especially a big vehicle they can't see around, the first part of your lane they will see is the extreme right. They can't see the left part of your lane until they are several feet into it.
I read and re-read this and it still didn't make sense until I thought about oncoming traffic.
I use whatever part of my lane I feel like depending on the situation.
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Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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tcv
Learned Hand
Reged: 01/13/05
Posts: 1237
Loc: Cape Canaveral, FL
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Quote:
Number one:
If it's a two lane road, when someone pulls out to pass, especially a big vehicle they can't see around, the first part of your lane they will see is the extreme right. They can't see the left part of your lane until they are several feet into it.
Number two:
Again a two lane road, if they wander into your lane, the left part is the first they invade.
I had to read your number one several times also. Bottom line riding near the center of the road should put your headlight in about the same place as a typical car or truck traveling in the same direction. If the oncoming passing vehicle doesn't see you, you will see them and be able to move right and slow down. There are times I will use other parts of my lane, it all depends on the conditions of the road and traffic. This isn't a game of chicken.
In a two lane road if a vehicle is passing another and heading for me from behind I will see them from the left side of the road long before they get to me. If I was in the right side of the road I might not see them until they were entering my space.
It all boils down to being in a position to make it easier for them to see you, and for the rider to have a better view of the whole road not just part of it.
I know some people are not comfortable riding near the center of the road, but I have found that cars give me more space when I ride near the center (but well within my lane) than they would if I was in the middle or even sometimes on the right side of the road. They are just more aware of me being there.
I learned years ago (from lane splitting in California) to know what all the vehicles around me are doing. The only position on the road that you can do that from is near the center of the road. When it's a four lane road, then near the center of the two lanes. In that position I can observe every vehicle that is in my zone, and take action as required.
Tom
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Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
Edited by tcv (10/16/08 10:22 PM)
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freedom
Saddle Sore
Reged: 01/12/05
Posts: 5329
Loc: NW, MT
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Tom,
I agree with the left wheel track position most all the time. Especially when someone behind is passing, I want them to move all the way over and not use the "open" left side of the lane I'm in. Other motorbikers can be the worst offenders. 
It's true sometimes oncoming traffic drifts over the centre line, but I generally have room and time to slide to the right, shake my head and "point out" the error of their ways. And, I use my index finger, not the other one 
I don't know if it's true or not, but more sorted and assorted road debris tire hazards seem to collect on the right fringe of the tarmac.
Of course riding in the Pacific NW/Northern Rockies, I'm often gawking at passing scenery & other roadside attractions that occupy my attention & imagination 
.....your results may vary 
jh
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"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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erle
Loquacious
Reged: 04/05/08
Posts: 3320
Loc: 25-22-28-0***-****0
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Quote:
Tom,
I don't know if it's true or not, but more sorted and assorted road debris tire hazards seem to collect on the right fringe of the tarmac.
.....your results may vary
jh
I can tell you its true.
More debris gathers in the areas outside of the two areas of any lane that the tires tend to follow.
Others tires have either "picked up" or cleared the way of debris more rapidly then in the "dead" zones.
More oil film build up in the center of the lane, as is evident by the "dark" look.
All studies show riding to the left of your lane is USUALLY the smartest place to be, but as lifes experiancies show, not always! USE YOUR BEST JUDGEMENT!
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And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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