Archimedes
Fire Watcher
I find weaving around in my lane is the best way to get noticed by everybody.
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Lane position: blocking?
- Thread starter TheRiddler
- Start date
elbacalao
My office.
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- '22 Triumph Speed Twin. '22 Ducati Streetfighter V2. '22 Multi Strada V2S. 2015 R1200 RT-P
My lane position changes depending on any number of variable things. It's never good to stay static while riding in my opinion. For what it's worth, I have heard of the term "blocking" before in regards to lane position. Its just as good as any other definition for me in regards to being defensive in your riding.
tuxumino
Purrfect
yeah I move around in the lane depending on proximity of perceived threats, if I'm going to be in the #1 lane for a long time I generally ride in the left wheel track.
It is really about maintianing as much space around you as you can and being in a position to avoid trouble.
It is really about maintianing as much space around you as you can and being in a position to avoid trouble.
terdog55
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[QUOTEActually, riding in the right side of the #1 lane gives you less reaction time.][/QUOTE]
But, it can tend to get you in more trouble, as its harder to be seen by the cage in #2 lane.
I think that we all agree that being seen is the strongest plan. And riding in the right side of the #1 lane is more likely to keep you in view.
This has served me well during my 700 mile per week commute.
But, it can tend to get you in more trouble, as its harder to be seen by the cage in #2 lane.
I think that we all agree that being seen is the strongest plan. And riding in the right side of the #1 lane is more likely to keep you in view.
This has served me well during my 700 mile per week commute.
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RhythmRider
Still Rhythm Rydin'
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I ride to the right while in the fast lane in heavy traffic so that I can easily go between the lanes. If there's plenty of space then I just ride in whichever position gives me the best view.
I like to ride right from center in lane 1. Makes me more visible to lane 2 cages like someone mentioned. Keep in mind tho, blocking or whatever you want to call it is only like 30% of the equation. You also have to look at the drivers around you and pay attention to the littlest things because your life could depend on it.
For example, your on the hwy and your approaching a vehicle and you can see into the car that there is a tassle hanging on the rear view mirror. Chances are that the driver is female and of asian decent. You should be on high alert when you see this and hurry up and get away from this vehicle.
For example, your on the hwy and your approaching a vehicle and you can see into the car that there is a tassle hanging on the rear view mirror. Chances are that the driver is female and of asian decent. You should be on high alert when you see this and hurry up and get away from this vehicle.
ahnh666
New member
fast lane, i usually ride the right of the lane...feel that cars and other motorcycles will see me better....but, when the traffic in the #2 is slow...with no cars in front...i move over to the left side...when i'm near a car in front again...i move back over to the right...pass the cars to the right in the #1 lane...
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2strokeYardSale
Moab on my mind
Yup, I do that all the time to make a smaller perceived gap to a cager who sees me is anticipating an unsafe lane change near me. There's also the opposite maneuver, where I move over to make for a better buffer.
First, realize that Canadian drivers are better than US drivers.
Personally, I ride on the left part of the lane, so drivers to my left have a better chance of spotting me in their mirror. It's harder to see a bike way over to the side. Except in the left lane, where the only danger is from the right. So I ride in the right part of that lane, where I can more easily be seen in the mirror of the cars to the right.
tzrider
Write Only User
+1. With little traffic in the fast lane, I'll usually stay left of center, particularly if I'm in a commuter lane next to slower moving traffic. While in heavy traffic, I'm to the right of center as RR says above.
louemc
New member
Thats my way...the situation is always changing (or could change), and I'm always assessing it, and ready to move to get away from what could be (or is) danger (a bad place to be).
I have no "rule" of where to be in a lane..as such. I do stay away from some parts, like the center of a lane if a vehicle in front of me, is blocking the sight line I need, for debris that tires are missing (but would be mine hitting).
But everything depends on the conditions/situation.
And I don't give a big rats ass what the Canadians call it, or what anyone calls it. I have my way...
that's it...Period.
R1-Limited
New member
Not only moving around a bit, but travelling just a bit faster than the traffic if you can.
Interesting note: I've noticed that when people are following my too closely, all I have to do is start weaving just a bit left and right 99% of the time, they back off and give me more room. Won't apply in all situations, but you'd be surprised at how effective it is.
Funny, this happened to me yesterday morning between the Golf Course and Bailey. I scan constantly, as this entire stretch of 101 is,,,, well for some, the autobon.
I get my bubble glance to my ass, no one. I glance again and a Toyota SUV is on my ass. I move to the right, move to the left, shake my foot do the hokie pokie and still on me butt.
I pulled to the center lane and this ass floors it Guess what, the guy was on his phone and a *$ in his right hand holding the wheel.
Sometimes stupid is stupid
terdog55
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PC award comin your way
Actually, we can all agree that we will NOT all agree on that being the strongest plan.
Ride like you're invisible. They won't see you no matter WTF you do, so why on earth would you pretend they will?
tzrider
Write Only User
Agreed. There is nothing wrong with trying to make yourself seen, until it interferes with other options.
My suggestion - Use common sense. Where you ride in a lane should change as the situations change.
Normal Traffic - I typically like to ride as your OP suggests when in the number one lane. The reason I do this is as they say I block the lane for jumpers but it also allows me a nice long distance by which I can see around cars in front of me for any surprises. Riding this way also gives cars in the number 2 lane ample time to see you.
Heavy Traffic - I also ride as the OP suggests for most of the same reasons for normal traffic but also as a quick out. If the cars in front stop quickly for any reason I can simply split past. I don't like doing this on the left shoulder as people tend to swerve into the left shoulder to avoid what they are stopping quickly for.
HOV/Carpool - I will hug the left side of the number one lane only when there is nobody in front of me in the HOV/Carpool lane and the number 2 lane is moving much slower and is more congested. The reason is lane jumpers. When I'm doing 80MPH in the HOV lane and the number 2 is crawling at 50mph I want the distance from the number 2 for jumpers.
Now I only do this when there is nobody in front of me. If there is someone in front of me then I ride hugging the center line as another issue is a car in the number 2 waiting for the car in front of you to pass and then not being able to see you because you are left in your lane and they jump out soon as the car passes right into your bike. Not good for sure.
Anyway that is my 2 cents for what it's worth. Again, where you ride and how should be an adjustment of the situation at hand. You can also note that I ALWAYS ride in the number 1 lane. I cringe every time I see someone on a bike riding in other lanes (when not fixing to exit) just cruising along with cars passing them left and right. Not me man. No way in hell.
Normal Traffic - I typically like to ride as your OP suggests when in the number one lane. The reason I do this is as they say I block the lane for jumpers but it also allows me a nice long distance by which I can see around cars in front of me for any surprises. Riding this way also gives cars in the number 2 lane ample time to see you.
Heavy Traffic - I also ride as the OP suggests for most of the same reasons for normal traffic but also as a quick out. If the cars in front stop quickly for any reason I can simply split past. I don't like doing this on the left shoulder as people tend to swerve into the left shoulder to avoid what they are stopping quickly for.
HOV/Carpool - I will hug the left side of the number one lane only when there is nobody in front of me in the HOV/Carpool lane and the number 2 lane is moving much slower and is more congested. The reason is lane jumpers. When I'm doing 80MPH in the HOV lane and the number 2 is crawling at 50mph I want the distance from the number 2 for jumpers.
Now I only do this when there is nobody in front of me. If there is someone in front of me then I ride hugging the center line as another issue is a car in the number 2 waiting for the car in front of you to pass and then not being able to see you because you are left in your lane and they jump out soon as the car passes right into your bike. Not good for sure.
Anyway that is my 2 cents for what it's worth. Again, where you ride and how should be an adjustment of the situation at hand. You can also note that I ALWAYS ride in the number 1 lane. I cringe every time I see someone on a bike riding in other lanes (when not fixing to exit) just cruising along with cars passing them left and right. Not me man. No way in hell.
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rodr
Well-known member
Another typical BARF thread -- attitude everywhere.
This best reflects my view. There is no hard and fast rule. When it comes to lane choice and positioning choice within your lane, some things to consider are:
Thats my way...the situation is always changing (or could change), and I'm always assessing it, and ready to move to get away from what could be (or is) danger (a bad place to be).
I have no "rule" of where to be in a lane..as such. I do stay away from some parts, like the center of a lane if a vehicle in front of me, is blocking the sight line I need, for debris that tires are missing (but would be mine hitting).
But everything depends on the conditions/situation.
And I don't give a big rats ass what the Canadians call it, or what anyone calls it. I have my way...
that's it...Period.
This best reflects my view. There is no hard and fast rule. When it comes to lane choice and positioning choice within your lane, some things to consider are:
- How fast are you willing to go?
- Having plenty of buffer space
- Positioning to best see ahead
- Avoiding road hazards
- Being seen
- Always having an escape
- Not being a dick
ST Guy
Well-known member
I still can't believe people believe it's safer to ride in the right of the #1 lane. The reasoning is that they're more visible. This makes a lot of assumptions:
1. That the driver actually looks.
2. That the driver actually registers in his brain what his eyes see.
3. That the driver actually has their rear view mirrors adjusted properly.
Those are huge assumptions. And what do you give up for that? Your time to react and a buffer zone between you and the brain-dead cagers.
That's a piss poor trade off.
1. That the driver actually looks.
2. That the driver actually registers in his brain what his eyes see.
3. That the driver actually has their rear view mirrors adjusted properly.
Those are huge assumptions. And what do you give up for that? Your time to react and a buffer zone between you and the brain-dead cagers.
That's a piss poor trade off.