Stebel and habits paid off this morning

[bobhamlin]

Originally Posted by loafer

I disagree with riding Left of center when in the Left hand lane.
I always ride Left of center in the Right lane and Right of center in the Left lane.
I almost ride next to the driver's window. I don't want to be in a blind spot, I want them to feel my presence. Granted I don't ride in traffic like some of you, but if they don't see you, you can expect they will drive over you. Some day even that loud horn will fail you. JMO.

In theory, you are correct. In practice, you cannot trust that drivers can see you even when you think you are in the middle of their mirror. The following video is an example of perception.



If the driver is looking for cars or trucks, you might be invisible. They might look right through you to see the vehicle trailing you.

I try never to cruise side by side with another vehicle. If I cannot pass quickly, I will keep my front wheel at least slightly behind the car's rear bumper. If that car swerves into my lane, it looks close, but it cannot hurt me.

Even if the driver knows you are there, a kid's scream from the back seat, a cell phone ring, a bee buzzing around can momentarily distract a driver enough to veer that car into your lane, and you never know when that veer is coming.

For me, the extra several feet of buffer room protects against surprise situations.