An interesting question popped up today when I was riding around town.

Would you rather

1. Sit in a cars blinds spot (truck, bus, sedan, etc.)

or

2. Ride closer than you are comfortable to the vehicle in front of you?

Sometimes you just have to choose.

I choose 2. I trust my ability to stop quickly more than a persons ability to see me before they change lanes.

 

I stay behind the car in the other lane. If conditions change and we start overlapping in the blind spot, I move up to adj or in front of their front fender.
I usually just follow behind, most MC accidents are from others pulling out from the side lots or left turning in front of you. By following, they will hit them first. Ride in the tire tracks, not centered in the lane.

 

Stay out of the blind spot and back far enough in the left track so that left turners are more likely to see you.

 

C. split lanes and find a safe spot all together

 

Illegal and would get your bike impounded quicker than you could say "but officer..."


unless you live in california

 

live in ca...felt great blasting through highway and splitting sf traffic

 

But those taxes those gas prices

 

I ride like they are all out to kill me.

 

I usually ride nearly on the white line to the far right and don't tail gate. I Pass if necessary. This has served me well over the years as if need be I can take the grass or ditch if an idiot comes my way. You must pay attention in this position, look far ahead and keep your head in the game but if want to stay alive after years and years of riding this works. The only time I will approach the center of the lane is when on a multi lane highway as the far right position encourages cars to share your lane.

 

I've been advised to not normally ride to the far right, in safety course and by others. IIRC there were two reasons: 1) drivers with poor depth perception coming up from behind may find it difficult to see you, and 2) it may limit your safe escape routes.