Best position, center or shoulder?

[3D]

I was having a conversation with a fellow rider and we had a difference of opinion about where is the best place to position yourself when riding a four lane road/highway. I tend to stay closer to the center line, that way I'm making myself as visible as possible to traffic to my right (or left). He says it's best to position yourself closer to the shoulder, that way if someone merges into your lane you will have time to adjust. I feel that if you are closer to the shoulder you are less visible to other vehicles and will have traffic merging into your lane more often than not. I'm just curious as to what some of you think is the best position to be, closer to the shoulder or closer to the center line?

[madvlad]

It all depends on traffic flow at the time. It's about constantly adjusting

[sag]

right side of the left lane. only have to worry about idiots on one side changing lanes and such, while retaining some space to escape to the left if need be.

[3point5]

I like to ride closer to the center of either lane (in the same direction) - my preference is the left lane where I can make eye contact with drivers in the right lane. I tend to be seen by more drivers that way and if I need to make a panic swerve I have the entire lane to maneuver…

never had to make any major panic moves but you never know!

[kawasakirob]

I like riding near the stripes, in the fast lane, when traffic is present. I can see around the cars in front of me while making myself (semi) visible to drivers looking in there mirrors. It's aggresive, but like mentioned above, you only then need to deal with merging vehicles from 1 lane instead of two. My tires will ALMOST be right on the stripes, but then again that's in heavy traffic. And it gives me an out incase traffic suddenly stops. The person behind me has extra room to stop/pull to the shoulder without crushing me. Again, this is only in heavy traffic

[kawasakirob]

When riding in a metropolitan area, I rarely ride in the middle lanes. Also when riding, it's good to look at them, through there own mirrors, to check if they glimpse back at you. If they don't glimpse back, I try to get past them as soon as possible, staying tightly up against the stripes

[Ghosty]

It all depends on traffic flow at the time. It's about constantly adjusting

+1

My riding style is totally dynamic, all the time changing. Depends on the amount of traffic, car locations ahead and behind, car speeds around you, looking for cops, position that allows YOU the best visibility all around, etc.

Generally speaking, at highway speeds, I ride near the center of my lane, or a little to the left of center, depends also on what gives the best view behind me in my side-view mirrors. I also like to speed ahead of blocks of cars. It's best to have the probable idiots BEHIND you, rather than in front.

[Sean]

IMO- If I'm in the road by myself, I go in the center of my lane. That way I can go left or right if there is and obstacle coming up. In traffic, I go wherever I know people will see me. Personally, I move around a lot because I always want people to be wondering where I am and looking out for me and my bike. If I'm passive and consistent in a lane/speed, I find that people don't know I'm there. Granted, I'm not moving around like a jackass, but I make sure that if they want to, people can see me in their mirrors.



btw: I do not miss commuting on 36!

[Matty]

right side of the left lane. only have to worry about idiots on one side changing lanes and such, while retaining some space to escape to the left if need be.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

I was having a conversation with a fellow rider and we had a difference of opinion about where is the best place to position yourself when riding a four lane road/highway. I tend to stay closer to the center line, that way I'm making myself as visible as possible to traffic to my right (or left). He says it's best to position yourself closer to the shoulder, that way if someone merges into your lane you will have time to adjust. I feel that if you are closer to the shoulder you are less visible to other vehicles and will have traffic merging into your lane more often than not. I'm just curious as to what some of you think is the best position to be, closer to the shoulder or closer to the center line?

If it's divided and/or with a barrier, I like left side of left lane. If it's not divided, I like right side of left lane.

[Slo]

2 lanes on each side, I favor towards the right side of the lane, unless I find myself in a blind spot...then I adjust in the lane accordingly.

[asp_125]

Ever changing, it's more of choosing the lane position that balances your visibility to others, traffic around you, pavement conditions, and an escape route.

If I am in the clear all by myself, I tend to ride in the left or right tire track, where it's fairly certain the pavement will be debris clear. Passing semi trucks and buses I pick the lane that is furthest away from them, in case they throw a pebble or blow a tire. I might move into the leftmost lane near cloverleafs and merges, if it's clear.

[FZ1Guy]

If i'm in the right lane, I like to ride in the left tire tract, drivers ahead can see you with left side rear view mirror and hopefully less gravel because you are furthest away from the road edge.

If i'm in the left lane, I prefer the left tire track for vehicle ahead side rear view mirror visibility, but I ride in either the left or right tire track. I assume that i'm invisible