I saw a cyclist nearly get creamed last night, and it reminded me why, unless there is truly enough room to lane-share, it's safer to take the lane than to try to ride to the right.

This was on a busy three-lane commute street in downtown Sacramento (J Street, for those of you who know the city). The lanes are narrow and cars park on both sides, so there is not enough room to share a lane, particularly not on the far right due to buses. But this guy -- young, riding an older road bike, and a fast, strong rider -- kept coming up on the right, even though traffic was moving slowly enough that he would not have impeded anyone by taking the lane. (The buses were slowing everyone down already.) He was riding within inches of parked cars, and he had no lights at all even though it was dusk. And he didn't look like a daredevil -- he looked nervous to me.

I moved into the center lane to go around him, hoping he'd take the hint and use the whole right lane, but he didn't, and about a block later I saw in my rearview mirror as someone nearly took him out with a right hook. The cyclist went up onto the sidewalk and was okay, but that was way too close. So scary to watch.

If he'd had lights, he would have been fine taking the lane. And the streets on either side of that one have bike lanes. I personally avoid that street because it's too much for me, but I work there and sometimes use the alleys when I need to get around -- my office overlooks the alley there and it is practically a bike path, so many cyclists use it. This guy really chose the most dangerous of all possible options.

So take the lane if you have to! It is much safer than trying to share a space that is too small for two vehicles.