Bike Riding Taking The Lane. Don't Poke The Bear!

Bike Riding Taking The Lane. Don't Poke The Bear!

The other day I ran a Google search for tips on "How To Breathe While Riding a Road Bike".  From some of my videos you can tell there is a good deal of huffing and puffing at times on my part. But, try climbing a hill and control your breathing and talk at the same time. Not so easy. Anyway, I found a bike tip in my search results that I felt may be a bit misguided. 

The bike tip was "Taking The Lane", which essentially suggested to ride in such a way as to block motorist from going around you unless the motorist is willing to pass you by using the lane meant for on coming traffic. YIKES!!  Reading the logic behind this tip made the argument that you are more visible to motorists and therefore more safe if you ride in the "middle" of the lane rather than on the side of the road.  Personally I find that idea a pretty thin argument, and if you are concerned about visibility then turn on your tail light and use the flashing mode to make yourself even more noticeable.

I guess what I found most unsettling about this road biker tip was no mention of getting out of the way of a motorist when and if you are taking the lane.  I mean, c'mon!  Don't poke the bear!  There are far too many jerks and aggressive drivers on our roads to gamble your life and limb on the notion that "Car Back" doesn't mind following you doing 15 or 20 miles per hour.

I did reread the tip more than once to be sure I didn't misunderstand, but clearly whoever wrote the tip didn't think it through.  Let's just say I won't be following that advice, and for me I feel safer staying out of the way of motorists, riding on the side of the road and using my flashing tail light to provide as much notification to motorists of my location.  My tip is "don't poke the bear" and "don't be a dick".  Ride to the side and be safe.

 #roadbike #cycling