Taking The Lane

You'll often see the phrase "take the lane" on bike commuting blogs.  Its a simple concept and I'm pretty sure everyone reading this knows what it means.  However, as common as the concept is, it is rarely mastered by the average cyclist (at least around Akron).  Taking the lane is one of the most important skills that a cyclist needs to master if they ride on the road, whether they're daily commuters or going for a ride in The Valley on the weekend.

Remember, its not your clothing, gizmos, or your bicycle that make you a good cyclist, its how you ride.

If you don't know, taking the lane means to ride in the center of the lane instead of to the far right.  In order to master taking the lane, you need to understand that your bicycle has just as much of a right to be on the road as the cars.  Its true.  It is.  When you start "driving" your bike instead of riding it, you will be safer and more confident.

Many cyclists take the lane the entire time they are on their bike.  This is legal.  However, according to the Ohio Revised Code, bicycles should stay at a reasonable distance to the right when it is practical.  It is up to the cyclist to decide what is practical, not motorists.  Here is the law:

§ 4511.55.  Operating bicycles and motorcycles on roadway.
(A) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles and exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

(B) Persons riding bicycles or motorcycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or motorcycles.

(C) This section does not require a person operating a bicycle to ride at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so.  Conditions that may require riding away from the edge of the roadway include when necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, surface hazards, or if it otherwise is unsafe or impracticable to do so, including if the lane is too narrow for the bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

As you can see, the law gives cyclist plenty of leeway for riding in the center of the lane.  Just so you know, the purpose of staying towards the right is to avoid unnecessary slowing of traffic.  Riding on the right should be done if the roadway is clear of hazards and passing traffic has plenty of room to do so.  A good example of this type of road is Akron-Peninsula in The Valley.  There is a specially constructed shoulder for cyclists which allows them to safely ride on the right for most of time.  However, if the pavement is unstable, there is debris in the shoulder, or they are at an intersection they should take the lane.

Here are some poorly drawn examples of incorrect and correct positioning:

1a)

Wrong.  Do not sit in a driver's blind spot while waiting at a stop light.  They won't see you, and if they or the car behind them is turning right, there is the chance that they will hit you.

1b)

Correct.  The car behind you now knows you are there.  The most important reason for taking the lane is to make yourself visible.  Do this if there are cars ahead of you at the light:

1c)

Never pull up alongside stopped vehicles on the right.  You may get hit by a door of an exiting passenger or the car may suddenly decide to turn into a driveway, parking lot, or parking space.  In fact, don't pass on the right at all.  Period.

2a)

Wrong.  Lets face it, motorists are in a hurry.  If they see an opportunity to pass they will take it, even if it isn't safe.  Riding on the right through intersections not only makes you less visible, it also incites motorists to sneak around you if they think they can make it.  Sometimes they can't make it and they will hit you.  If you are in the far right, you are harder to see.

2b)

Correct.  By taking the lane in this situation, you not only make yourself visible, you also claim your space.  You will force them to wait to make their turn because there is no room to pass.

3a)

Wrong.  Do not travel through intersections in the far right.  A car turning left will not see you if you are alongside the oncoming vehicle they are waiting for.

*Fun story.  We nearly hit a cyclist with our car over the weekend while turning left onto State Rd. from Steels Corners because he was traveling far in the right and just behind the SUV in front of him (he also didn't have any lights and he was wearing all black lycra).  We didn't see him until the last second.  Thanks to the Mr.'s quick reflexes, everyone survived.

3b)

Correct.  You are now visible to the car waiting to turn left.  Taking the lane at an intersection will not only make you visible for traffic traveling in your lane but also to oncoming traffic and cross traffic.  Remember, when they are checking to see if it is safe, they will be looking at the center of the other lane because that is where cars travel.  They do not always expect something to be in the far right.

4a)

Wrong.  Do not pass parked cars as closely as possible.  You run the risk of getting "doored" by someone not looking before they exit the vehicle.  You can also be hit by cars pulling out of parking spaces because they don't expect you to be along side them.

This is also an example of when a lane is too narrow for you to travel safely on the right.  A rushed motorist is invited to pass you and will likely "buzz" you or worse.

4b)

Correct.  Once again, you are claiming your space and forcing the car behind you to wait to pass until it is safe.  You also are out of the door zone.

5a)

Wrong.  While its tempting to ride in an empty area of the parking lane, you once again make yourself invisible and you can cause a wreck by pulling out to pass the next car.  You can also be hit by someone trying to nab a parking space.

5b)

Correct.  By maintaining your position you are staying consistent and visible.

This also brings up how to pass an obstacle be it debris, unstable pavement, a low hanging branch, roadkill, or a parked vehicle.

If you come an obstacle or hazard suddenly, don't pop into the center of the lane.  Make sure it is safe to take the lane first by using a mirror or looking behind.  If a car is alongside you or quickly approaching, slow down until they have passed.  If it is safe, make sure you signal with your hand that you are moving left.  A motorist may not see what you are avoiding and won't expect you to take the lane.

Remember, communication is the key to happiness.

Ok, that's it for the drawings.  But, there are, of course, other instances where taking the lane is necessary.

This is the most important skill a cyclist must master if they are riding on the road.  Unfortunately, many are not comfortable with taking the lane because they are afraid of upsetting drivers or they think they aren't allowed.  Remember, you have just as much of a right to be there as cars do and you don't have to defer to them if it is not safe to do so.  By taking the lane you claim your right to the road and you will be safer for doing so.  In fact, most car/bicycle accidents were the result of the driver not seeing the bike, something that is easily solved by taking the lane.

Also, please remember that you should have both a front (white) light and rear (red) reflector.  Its the law.  However, don't rely on reflectors.  Make sure you have a red light on the rear.  I always have my lights on whether it is sunny or not.  You can have as many lights as you want as long as nothing on the front of the bike is red and nothing on the rear is white.  Bright clothing also helps.

So, do yourself and motorists a favor.  Stay visible.  Take the lane.

For the complete text of Section 45 of the Ohio Revised Code visit the Ohio Bicycle Federation's handy website.