Quote Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl View Post
Though I disagree with how the driver handled the situation, I must say that we NEVER ride 2 abreast if there is traffic sharing our lane and having to pass us periodically. A car can safely pass one bike while still staying in the lane if the bike is reasonably near the right white line in the lane. But a car cannot safely pass two bike abreast without officially going into another lane to get around them. Is there a real reason you need to ride two across and make everyone go into another lane in order to pass you? It seems to me it is creating unnecessary hazard for everyone, cars and bikes.
I respectfully disagree with you. At least out here (perhaps our lanes are more narrow than yours) If there isn't space to pass two riders safely there very likely isn't the space to pass one safely either without changing lanes or crossing the center line. Unless there is a very wide shoulder (which is rare here) I find it best to ride, even when alone, in a position that requires cars move over to pass, otherwise they will pass me with inches to spare rather than the 3 feet that is safe. If they have to move over they tend to pass much more safely. Our lanes just are not wide enough to accommodate both vehicles at one time, so why tempt someone to try it. You should never put motorists convenience ahead of your own safety. There are even a few places that I will not allow a car to pass me (a very narrow one lane each way road on my way to work with a planted divider in the middle)- they are very short stretches and the drivers will survive the extra 10 or 20 seconds added to their trip.