Why do bicycle riders ride in the far left of the bike lane?

[kang]

Whenever I ride my bike on the street, I stay to the far right of the bike lane. It's further away from traffic, which is obviously safer. Why do some riders straddle the left line, or even veer over it? Or sometimes ride side by side when that puts the person on the left in traffic?

The only thing I can think of is that the left side of the bike lane might be cleaner, less gravel and dirt, but I would rather ride in gravel and dirt than in traffic.

[Yorkie]

Less debris leading to fewer flats.

[berettafan]

as you suspect it's due to flats.

sometimes also to be seen better.

[JavaBrewer]

Also gives the cyclist more room to navigate obstacles. If cyclist is hugging the curb cars will adjust to that spacing from them. When the cyclist moves away from the curb to avoid obstacle they could be in danger of cars even if still technically in the bicycle lane.

[Otter74]

Sometimes what seems obviously safer isn't. Java Brewer gives one reason. In broader terms, I would say that it is about controlling your lane.

Another is to avoid dooring. Getting hit by someone who didn't bother to look before opening their car door is a far bigger risk in real terms. I never, ever, ride on the right of a marked bike lane unless I have three to four feet of clear space to my right.

[mfiazzo]

Same reason I do it on my motorcycle, less debris, people behind you can see you better, and people on other side of the road can see you, you have more time to react, and last but not least, if a deer jumps out, you have that much more time to maneuver.

[sammyg2]

It's in their nature.

[look 171]

All of the above is true, but the side by side? They like to talk, its similar to texting and driving?

[slow&rusty]

Storm inlet, herring bone grates they swallow up 700 x23 tires!

[Jim Bremner]

Pavement to concrete edge can toss a rider. Pedal can strike a curb causing the rider to flip debriefs, rain grates other than that I see no reason.

[jyl]

Lots of reasons.

Riding to the right puts you in the door zone. Someone throws open their parked car door without looking, the bike rider loses his teeth.

Debris, storm grates, etc are more of a problem close to the curb.

You're more visible to the left of the bike lane.

I've been riding bicycles in big cities since I was 8. Believe me, you're safer riding to the left of the bike lane.

[David]

Around here it's glass. At $90 per tubeless tire, I try to avoid glass.

[flatbutt]

There are some sections of road out here that have very narrow shoulders. That's ok on the straights but on right hand curves sticking to the inside makes you invisible. So drifting left on those stretches makes you more visible sooner and the driver doesn't need to over react to you. AMHIK

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by Yorkie

Less debris leading to fewer flats.

that mainly
it only takes a sliver of a rock to puncture a $70 tire/tube
also, if you ever ride on a 23mm tire at 140psi at 25mph+ you want a smooth road.


note to drivers:
you don't have to swing wide to the left, you don't even need to slow down. just have a little respect or consideration when passing.

I no longer ride BTW.