Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Riding position on th road

Periodically I will see another rider going down the road riding in the right hand side of the lane, which to me is the last place you would want to be riding as far as position on the road. I am not talking about where you would be prior to entering a turn, or coming out of a turn, but just heading down a two lane road. Under normal conditions I like to be in the left side of the lane as close to the center of the road as I am comfortable. There are a number of reasons for this:

1. I can see oncoming traffic better. I can generally see around the car in front.
2. I can see traffic behind me better. I can generally see around the car behind me.
3. Oncoming traffic will see me better.
4. Traffic behind me will see me better.
5. Merging traffic will have a better chance of seeing me. Riding on the right hand side is asking not to be seen. Cars are looking for other cars and generally they are looking down the middle of the road, not along the side of the road.
6. I will have 2/3 of my lane still available to me in an emergency. Riding on the right hand side I will have no lane available in an emergency.
7. When I pass a slower moving vehicle I only have to shift the bikes position about half a lane, so that I am in the right side of the left lane. Again near the center line.

There are several other reasons, but I don't remember them all.

Sometimes I want to pull up to the guy riding the right hand lane and explain this to them, but I just have this feeling that they will look at me like I am the idiot.

Tom

I agree, I prefer to hang to the left and only move momentarily to the right if I am following something large (box truck, school bus) and there are cars waiting to pull out on that side so they have a better chance of seeing me.

Number one:
If it's a two lane road, when someone pulls out to pass, especially a big vehicle they can't see around, the first part of your lane they will see is the extreme right. They can't see the left part of your lane until they are several feet into it.

Number two:
Again a two lane road, if they wander into your lane, the left part is the first they invade.

I can be found in any part of my lane, it changes depending on where the biggest threat is.

i think that that is one of the smartest things we can do in the "trying to be safe department" my wife is always on my back about rideing to close to the line but i keep telling her, its the safest place to be. as Tom said all traffic has a better chance of seeing me. the guy in front?? i'm in his rearview!! the guy comeing?? my headlight is in his face!! the guy 2 cars back who is trying to pass the car behind?? he knows your there before he try's to pass and finds out to late!!!! it just makes sense, its just the safest place to be!!!!! some yrs ago, a friend was rideing and was behind a truck, he was rideing to the far right, a car turning left didnt see him behind the truck and nailed him. he is no longer available for conversation. it was a lesson that me and many of my friends learned through his mistake.

I've seen too many distracted folks swerve over the line for me to feel comfortable to ride that close in the left . I like to wander all over the lane , like a drunk person , it's fun to score hits on small dead critters and brush right shoulder with trash cans . Really . Triumph , go yer own way .

TCV, Nice comment. I have a good friend that I ride with that does that. I cannot thru conversation make him see the light. I am afraid that the day will come when some old goat will make 3 lanes where there are only 2. That also goes for the lead man in a group. He should be left of center for the same reason. If you ride that right hand line,,,,,"they will come over on you" It's just a matter of time.

jerry

Quote:

---

Number one:
If it's a two lane road, when someone pulls out to pass, especially a big vehicle they can't see around, the first part of your lane they will see is the extreme right. They can't see the left part of your lane until they are several feet into it.

---

I read and re-read this and it still didn't make sense until I thought about oncoming traffic.

I use whatever part of my lane I feel like depending on the situation.

Tom,

I agree with the left wheel track position most all the time. Especially when someone behind is passing, I want them to move all the way over and not use the "open" left side of the lane I'm in. Other motorbikers can be the worst offenders.

It's true sometimes oncoming traffic drifts over the centre line, but I generally have room and time to slide to the right, shake my head and "point out" the error of their ways. And, I use my index finger, not the other one

I don't know if it's true or not, but more sorted and assorted road debris tire hazards seem to collect on the right fringe of the tarmac.

Of course riding in the Pacific NW/Northern Rockies, I'm often gawking at passing scenery & other roadside attractions that occupy my attention & imagination

.....your results may vary

jh

Improperly spelled word in prior post is for your enjoyment!
I caught it before you.

Just to the left of the white line seperating the two way traffic. If its a dual carriageway right in the centre depending on which lane I am in.

My mrs goes on at me because I have started hanging out there in the car as well..

I know one thing for sure...whenever I'm on some sort of a group ride and in a staggered formation, I always feel just a little less comfortable and sort of "boxed-in" whenever I'm staggered to the right-side of road. Yep, I always prefer to be one of those on the left-side. I feel it allowed me more options and more of the road surface "just in case".

(...such as that cager parked along the side of the road who just might decided to pull out into traffic at the most inopportune moment, or even just the opening of his driver-side door just as I'm about to go past him)

According to group riding gurus, the lead rider should be on the left (inside) lane in a staggered formation. He has to be able to see when it's clear to pass or change lanes (4-lane).

Hopefully, the guys behind the leader would have the benefit of the entire group being much easer to see. The worst problem I've encountered is when the some of the group let too much space get in formation and cagers try to "shoot the gaps".