Lane position

[waynemorgan]

Hey,

Since getting the bike back I've been concentrating on my lane position and buffering but I've got a couple of questions:-

When travelling in heavy multilane traffic and I'm in the left lane I tend to stay in the left wheel track - which seems to invite other drivers to attempt to share my space with me. When I'm in the right lane I use the right wheel track - same thing.

When on a two-way road I've been advised to use the right wheel track rather than the left track. I find this a little nerve racking as I prefer to stay away from oncoming traffic and find myself back in the left wheel track and giving myself plenty of space.

Is there a rule of thumb for buffering and lane position? I know I'm supposed to control my space in my lane but I'm finding that a little intimidating. HTFU?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Wayne

[6maniac]

Two Wheels mag had an article on this a while back....... I vary my position in the lane to give maximum distance from all vehicles in either direction.

[dave#3]

G'day Wayne,

That's a good question, and one where I don't think there's an answer that fits all situations as neatly as you might be hoping for. I tend to position myself depending upon more than just the number of lanes and which one I'm in, but as a rule when all else is equal will sit in the right wheel track to be behind the driver of the car in front, and ideally either at or in front of the front door of the car beside me (or behind far enough that he'll miss me).

If there's nobody to follow (think a country road) I'll stay towards the right of the lane unless there's oncoming traffic, in which case I'll move towards the middle or left.

Regardless of whether I'm following somebody or not I'm also constantly adjusting my position to create a buffer around dangers (or areas of potential danger). For instance a right-turn bay (or a car with a right indicator on) coming towards me would generally have me heading towards the middle-to-left of the road - I don't want to be obscured by traffic in front by being too far left but I want some space to move in if old mate decides to drive into the side of me. On the other hand a car parked on the left side of the road will see me moving towards the middle, again to create a bit of space if it's required.

The only caveat I'll add is never compromise stopping distance (to the vehicle in front) for the sake of better buffer space on the sides - we're actually much more likely to run into the back of a car than to be hit form the side.

[Disco]

One thing I will always make sure of is to never sit in the car beside me's blind spot.....I know it's a bit of a given but if I need to speed up a little to get in front I will or drop back...Or will try and make eye contact with the driver.....Just so they know I'm there....

[Head_Mechanic]

You have been given all the advice you need . Well said and very good advice, ues it and you my live longer.

[binther]

this is something that i thought should be covered at least in queensland's Qride... generally you want to be as close to the traffic as possable... i know everyone give me the googly eyes hahaha it comes down to this you need to "claim your lane" if you don't use up the lane cagers will feel that they can sneak past you..generally ended up with you on the ground.

so if there is 2 lanes if your in the right lane... sit in the left wheel track, if your in the left lane sit in the right wheel track... this will stop people trying to pass you in your own lane..

yes its alittle more dangerious and even myself sometimes find myself sliding away when a big 4x4 is trying to pass me or when passing a truck but generally if your close the the cager your in less of his blind spot anyway.

remember there blinde spot is like a triangle... so close avoids more of the triangle.

im half asleep at work so if any of this doesn't make sense please question me on this... i know i don't post alot so most of you will be going who is he haha but i real everyday im a lurk... and we are out there listening....

[dilligaf]

According to Nick Ienatsch (Sport Riding Techniques) "Be a truck, be a bicycle". He means be as visible as a mac truck but remember you are as vulnerable as a bicycle. The left of the left lane is asking for trouble. People coming out from the left can't see you. People open doors of parked cars in front of you. Get out where they can see you, be predictable and protect your space.

This book is good for street riding
http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorc ... 986&sr=1-1

[seiko1]

Multi lane I always stay in the middle of the right lane.This avoids what several dicks did to me in Manly Qld. Oh I forgot to get the fruit, so I'll just flash accross both lanes without looking or indicating to get to the roadside fruit and veg stall.
Dave #3 advice is good also. (God forgive me )

[aardvark]

One thing I will always make sure of is to never sit in the car beside me's blind spot.....

I spend half my day sitting in the blind spots of drivers. It's a bloody occupational hazard!

[Glen]

Good question Wayne as it does get a little confusing. Read and re read dave#3's post as that sums it up pretty well. Daves summary is what they teach in the roadcraft section of the learners course and it's very effective.

The unfortunate thing is that you see very few riders actually putting it into practise

[culla]

i generally ride in the right side of lane in drivers mirror but i move around the whole lane to show i'm there also eye contact on the sides i prefer my own space front or back

[photomike666]

Very good points from the above. Think of how a driver will visualise where you are. They tend to take a quick look at traffic in the next lane, see car, car gap car, car. Enough of a reason to move over. If you place you bike on the edge of the lane, they see car, car, bike, car car. Don't hide in the gap. This makes the centre lane on a three way highway a dangerous place to be as cars can move towards you from both sides.

Watch for drives looking in their mirrors or turning their head, or perhaps drifting slightly in their lane - always expect a lane hope. Never ride too close, you have to be aware of so much you don't want to miss a car braking while you are performing a head check.

Most of all, watch for drivers in their mirrors. If you can see their face, they MAY see you. IF you cannot see their face, they probably won't see you.

A last point to think about. How often do you hear people complain about a bike moving around the road, and how often do you hear of accidents with the "Sorry mate I didn't see you". Which biker got home?
(This is not a suggestion to ride dangerously or be Ghost Rider - high speed and irratic manouvers make it very hard for a driver to judge where you are; if they see you at all before it's too late).

[dave#3]

this is something that i thought should be covered at least in queensland's Qride... generally you want to be as close to the traffic as possable... i know everyone give me the googly eyes hahaha it comes down to this you need to "claim your lane" if you don't use up the lane cagers will feel that they can sneak past you..generally ended up with you on the ground.

so if there is 2 lanes if your in the right lane... sit in the left wheel track, if your in the left lane sit in the right wheel track... this will stop people trying to pass you in your own lane..

yes its alittle more dangerious and even myself sometimes find myself sliding away when a big 4x4 is trying to pass me or when passing a truck but generally if your close the the cager your in less of his blind spot anyway.

remember there blinde spot is like a triangle... so close avoids more of the triangle.

im half asleep at work so if any of this doesn't make sense please question me on this... i know i don't post alot so most of you will be going who is he haha but i real everyday im a lurk... and we are out there listening....

Each to his own I suppose, but I'd think it pretty foolish to trade distance (relative to dangerous things like cars) for a reduced likelihood of being in a blind spot. Staying out of blind spots assumes that the driver will look for you, and when he/she doesn't if you haven't given yourself room you're toast. I assume the suckers wont even look and stay the fuck out of their way.

People often talk about looking in mirrors, looking drivers in the eye, watching wheels, etc, which is all good if you can do that as well, but I think the most important thing is to give yourself space because space = time to react, and time to react can be the difference between shit and splat. If you're busy looking a driver in the eye while getting closer and not making room you're a perfect candidate for being driven right into by somebody who was looking at you but didn't actually *see* you - there's a massive difference between what the eyes see and what the brain interprets.

Shit, that's two sensible posts in a row - I'll have to go pick on S&W to make up for it

[hoffy]

ride where the cars are least likely to hit and kill you..thats my take on it

[Wattie]

what they said. maybe not Binther...

and i like to move through traffic, rather than them pass you. that way you have more say in the moves than they do.

just look at every thing as if its aiming for you. even parked cars.