Why Road Cyclists Should Not Hug the Curb or Ride to the Far Right | Cycling Tips | Bicycle Safety

There are reasons why cyclists really shouldn't hug the curb when we're on out riding on the road. Florida law basically says cyclists are to ride as far to the right as practicable. But there's some reasons why you shouldn’t do that. Most of the roads in Florida are what we call a "substandard road". So the law in Florida provides that if you're riding on a substandard road, which is measured at 14 feet or less you're not required to hug the right line lane or curb. You can actually "take the lane." But what does that really mean, and why should cyclists do it? Most inexperienced riders feel more comfortable further to the right, particularly on roads that tend to be busier. But there's some reasons why being further to the right may not always be the safest alternative, and many times it’s not the safest alternative.

CyclingSavvy, a cycling educational information organization, recommends that we ride in the left wheel lane which is just off the center line. Some people feel better riding in the right wheel lane, which is four to five feet off the curb. The reason why you want to make the choice of riding in the left wheel lane is that it makes you more noticeable to drivers. When you're further off the curb, you're particularly more in a place where the driver's looking, whether you're approaching a driver who's turning out from the side street, or whether you're being seen by a driver coming up from behind you. So putting yourself in the lane, taking the lane on a substandard road, puts you in a position where you're seen more readily.

The big danger of riding to the right is that a driver thinks that they can squeeze by or that they can squeeze between you and the oncoming car lane, rather than hanging back and waiting for 10, 15, or 20 seconds. And another thing is, when you ride in the right or particularly in the left tire lane, they're gonna make that decision much more quickly because you're really out there. They recognize coming up from behind you that they can't pass and they have to commit to changing lanes and going around you. What you don't want, if you're on the right side are drivers approaching from the rear, and then they don't realize until they get right up on you that they don't have room to pass. And unfortunately when they've already committed they hit the cyclists because they don't want to get hit by the car coming in the opposite direction.

The bottom line is take the lane when you have the opportunity, even in traffic, it actually is much safer.

[ChrisBFerguson]

I like your perspective. Make sure that you aren't so far to the right that you aren't noticed.

I have had to deal with really really ignorant people who deserve to have the Cops called on them for trying to run me off the road. Going 25mph on an E-Bike in a 25mph zone and he told me to get on the sidewalk. I had the nastiest experience I've ever had with a driver with him. I cursed him out telling him how wrong he was and he got out of his car to try to scare me. Another person more recently didn't try to scare me but was as illiterate as he was with cycling on the road. Another person biking on a road with a bike lane before the bike lane started, telling me to get on the sidewalk when I'm going above 20mph. People truly don't know cycling is okay in the road and better for E-Bikes.