Where do you ride?!
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: Bellefonte PA
I ride wherever I have the best chance of being seen. Constantly scanning, and adjusting as necessary. Approaching intersections I am always careful to try to avoid having obstacles such as road signs, etc. in the line of sight between me and other drivers. I figure if I can't see their eyes, they can't see me. If I can see their eyes, I assume they don't see me and plan accordingly making sure I always have an out. On a multiple lane road, I try to keep as much space between myself and other vehicles as possible. I will move around within my lane to maintain a safe cushion. And of course try to avoid all the road debris and whatnot.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 338
From: Upstate, SC
On a 2 lane road I ride the center line, adjust accordingly. On a 4 lane I ride the center line, pass on far left, back to center. Always 5 over the limit and find the blank zone. Speed by trucks on far left. Never in the slow lane unless it is my exit. Move to right and allow super speeders to pass then get behind them at a safe distance. I am usually the fastest moving vehicle, not a slow poke and wont ride with a slow poke. I can control what is in front of me not what is beside or behind me. Run fast, find space and create space. I feel safer at 80mph on the highway than I do in town at 30mph. Bottom line , keep a buffer zone, I am faster and can stop faster than most cars, that"s the fun of riding. If cars are passing you, you are not riding safe.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
On a two lane I tend to hug the center line. That way the driver ahead of me can see me in his mirror and if someone feels the overwhelming desire to pass me they are not crowding me in my lane.
On a four lane I generally will take the right lane, in my opinion there tends to be more "escape" options if someone is being stupid.
At a stop I always watch the tires of the cars around me.
On a four lane I generally will take the right lane, in my opinion there tends to be more "escape" options if someone is being stupid.
At a stop I always watch the tires of the cars around me.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Waco TX
As I was riding home from work yesterday afternoon, I had the same idea for a thread. On I-35 heading south with afternoon traffic I get in the left lane and adjust depending on other cars around me whether I am in left part of lane or right. I try to never stay in the same position of a cager in the center lane. I usually get in front of them as soon as I can.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
I tend to move around in the lane to put me in the position I feel is the best for being seen. In slow moving traffic if I'm following a car, I'll move to the right lane so any car waiting to pull out into traffic, has a better chance of seeing me and I'm not blocked by the car in front. I see alot of cars waiting to turn left and people always look in the direction they want to turn. If I see someone looking left and any hand movement, I hit the horn. Keeping a safe following distance is almost a joke in New Jersey. If a driver sees a spot he can fit into, he'll pull right in usually without a signal. It's one big Nascar race without a finish line. You don't really see as much oil in the center of a lane like you used to. I guess the EPA has done their job on cars like they did with leaking Harley's.,,
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, MI
expressway, I will ride the dotted white line...but never in the center lane. In my opinion, this lets the car in front see me in their mirrors, and if I am passing them on the left, they can see me coming. Country roads, center line and move over for curves. Same theory, they can see my lights except for curves.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 40
From: New York
Lot of good stuff in here. Like big cahuna said, It's impossible in Manhattan to follow the MSF guidlines when some asshat is always jumping into any open space. For me staying visible sometimes means shaking my bike which sometimes wakes 'em up. I use my horn alot in traffic, and I always have a blocker when I go through a multi-lane intersection- I wait for some one else to pullout so I only have to worry about traffic from one direction.