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Which lane do you ride in?

7K views 40 replies 30 participants last post by  JMacd62 
#1 ·
In two, three or even four lane motorways/highways, do you have a preferred lane to ride in? I know in Europe you are supposed to stay on the outside lane and use the others for overtaking as traffic allows, always returning to the outside. Seems that any lane is game on US highways, so overtaking occurs on both side if you are in the middle lane of a three lane highway. Somewhat disconcerting if you are used to overtaking vehicles passing on one side only. Universally I believe the law "encourages" staying on the outside lane (furthest lane from traffic coming in the other direction). Makes sense to me, but interrupted by merging traffic (that has priority in the US).

Share what's your rationale for lane selection?
 
#29 ·
Where I live I stay in the left lane the drivers around me do something the cops call a "Puertorican lane change" and when I lived in Texas they called it a "Texas Exit", both are when the drivers are in the far left lane and then at the last minute come across all lanes to make an exit so if you aren't in the left lane some idiot could come out of nowhere an run you down, and also in my state I think they are setting a record for the most hit and runs and don't get me started with all the wrong way accidents we have been having. I use the middle lane and the break down lane as my escape and I always go faster than the flow of traffic to keep me away from the wolf packs and I always seem to find clear lanes when I do that.
 
#30 ·
I ride in the lane that is the most open... the one with the least amount of traffic and the one in which I have the best view down the road. I never ride the exact same speed as surrounding traffic, choosing instead to move 5 to 7 mph faster than traffic around me. That keeps me constantly moving in relation to all the cars and easier to see. I prefer passing on the left, as is legal, but I will pass on the right if that will quickly get me out of a traffic pod and get me clear of traffic.

My biggest rule is NOT to ride in a pod, or cluster, of traffic. If they aren't near you... they can't hit you.
 
#32 ·
(Here in Italy)
I generally stick to the outside lane, it is the most free from traffic as most cars drive on the inner, sometimes fast and other times slow.
If I have no traffic ahead I just ride along, then again I am a slow rider at 70/80mph, don't really have any issues.
Before junctions I switch to the inside to allow eventual inward traffic and then move back to the right.
I also tend to keep a good safety distance and overtake trucks when their side mirrors are about to go out of sight.



...
BUBI 0_0

www.lamiatriumph.it
 
#33 ·
When in rural area with fewer on-ramps and two lanes going each direction, I ride on the left side of the right lane. I do move over to the left lane (when possible) to allow entering traffic to merger; however, the entering traffic does not have the right of way; they must yield to traffic already on the multiple lane highway. When in congested traffic with more than two lanes in each direction, I ride near the center and/or the left side of the far left lane. This allows me to have traffic on only one side and maneuverability in the lane and left shoulder as necessary. I avoid riding in the center lane, as there is traffic on both sides and motorcycles are difficult to see in all that traffic. The best solution (when possible) is to ride on two lane roads. You still have to watch out for on-coming traffic entering your lane, animals running onto the road, vehicles pulling out in front of you or driving too close to your rear (I then spit in the air and it hits their windshield), but you don't have to play with high speed semi traffic.
 
#34 · (Edited)
This might sound odd to people in other places, but I usually run in the fast lane (#1 lane). Some of this has to do with the law here in California. The law here states that all trucks (over 3 axle, I think) must stay in the right two lanes (the two lanes left of the right hand fog line) unless an additional lane is specifically marked OK for trucks. That makes those right two lanes slower, and more congested than the others. There is also no law here stating the left lane is only for passing. I do feel that if I am in the fast lane I have the obligation to keep my speed up so as not to impede the flow of traffic. If everyone seems to want to run faster than I want to, I move over to the right one lane. But I do not like to run with the trucks. They are a danger to avoid and you cannot see around them. Of course you have the dumb trucker now and again that insists on running or passing out of thier designated two lanes. I LOVE IT when I see them get ticketed for that! Usually some out of state "hillbilly" trucker. The Teamsters, and longhaul drivers usually know better. ...J.D.
 
#35 ·
I ride in Colorado. Went thru Lyons up to Nederland and back to Ward then down left hand canyon today. I have an SE but did this ride with my wife on a hog.

My biggest hazard is fruitcakes in subarus that want to cross the double yellow line to give 6 feet of space to a bicyclist in their lane and in the process crossting into my (going up or down) lane thus squeezing me at the worst possible moment into the furthest right edge of the road. So I never let this be a threat and I just ride accordingly although it did take me a few rides to learn what to expect.

Overall I drive the lane that is either strategically or tactically to my advantage. I use my performance advantage to position myself in the least congested space when I can. I don't care if you catch up to me. I only care it I am able to concentrate on the least number of variables when I can.

The two biggest reasons bikes crash is unable to negotiate the corner and a cage turning in front of you.

So I work real hard on awareness at the points where I am helpless and most vulnerable.

On our little ride today, about 110 miles, we had two cars cross in front of us and one car cut us off completely. In each instance I was so far under the available stopping capability that it was not a big deal.

So bottom line is this, we ride machines that out perform nearly all cages. So while we can use our advantage to be safe we can also eliminate our advantage by "taking away the time available to a normal driver" simply because we can haul ass.

Work the combination that benefits you best.
 
#37 ·
I ussualy pick the wrong one.
Somebody turning left without bothering to signal or parking.
Particularly in Vancouver, pretty sure most drivers are on phones, drugs, both or bribed someone to get a license.
I find them much more courteous when I am on my bike. Still a few air heads. Most are more courteous to my bike than my car.

On the highway depends.
Rush hour near Vancouver whichever one I think is moving best, I mostly bet it wrong. I like my bike can use the HOV. So I do.

Not so many three lane highways. Between Vancouver and Hope it doesn’t seam to matter much but I try and stick to the right lane when traffic permits. Nearer the city the right lane turns into an exit lane far to often.

Most of the highways are two lane with passing lanes every so often. I stick to the right unless I am passing the posted signs tell you to.

Main thing I find is despite riding between 10 and 20 k above the posted limit. I am slower than most. Doing 110 of 120 in the pissing rain getting passed by semis, logging trucks, 5th wheels even one one of those little f ing trendy fiats.
You want to pass, I pull over let you pass.

I will pass them again on the next hill.
 
#38 ·
I stay in the non passing lane , unless I'm passing, then I get into the passing lane and make the pass, then I get back into the non passing lane.

  • The rules/laws must have changed since I got my license 36 years ago because I find myself having to pass (in the non passing lane) an awful lot of idi*** that are driving, (in many cases, under the speed limit) in the passing lane. :mad:
 
#39 ·
Law hasn't changed, at least in Michigan. They just don't enforce it. Also there are exit and entry ramps on both sides of two, three, and more lane highways, necessitating traveling in the "overtaking" lanes. Seems like we have lost our way with lane discipline, and significantly compromised driving safety at the same time. Commuting into Detroit, is becoming more of an adrenaline rush than ever.....just praying the gods stay with me!
 
#40 ·
I don't think it so much that we are losing our "lane discipline", if such a thing even has any value in today's driving world... I mean, to me "lane discipline" is stay in your lane unless you have a legitimate reason to leave it. But WRT normal driving in the so-called "passing lane", well the problem around here is just that there's simply not enough road capacity to reserve a lane for "passing". Sign or not, people are going to drive in that left lane because the road would be way more congested if they didn't. And it's safer if it's not congested. It's also safer if people don't exceed the speed limit. The "slow people in the 'passing lane'" issue is only annoying for those who want to speed. Don't pretend it's about safety, it's not.
 
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#41 ·
Decades of the 55 limit and vehicles which handled like your living room couch. Appear to have destroyed the idea.
Today congestion often is not the point all lanes are slow, fortunately on a bike I can use the HOV lane, sometimes I can even ride up to the speed limit.
Once you are clear of the congestion, simple common sense and courtesy and here in Canada posted road signs dictate slower traffic keep to the right.
Particularly when the highway has designated passing lanes. At intervals and inclines.
 
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