If drivers are crossing the center line to pass then I assume there is no shoulder and the lane is substandard width, meaning not wide enough for a motor vehicle and a cyclists to be side-by-side safely. In that case I absolutely take the lane, and yes I do find that motorists give me more space when they pass me. If I hug the right side of the road then they are more likely to pass without crossing the center lane, which means coming too close to me. I ride more miles in Maryland than in other states, and their law requires you to ride as close to the right as practicable except when the lane is substandard width. (They also prohibit riding two abreast if you are impeding traffic.)
I also seek out roads with less traffic and avoid roads with 50mph speed limits and no shoulders, even though it is technically legal to ride a bike and take the lane on those roads. But I am cycling for recreation and exercise, not for transportation, and I tend to stay out of cities and crowded high-traffic suburban areas because I already have enough stress in my life.
I should add that the type of unsafe passing Becca is seeing -- crossing the center line in no passing zones, on curves and on hills -- is something I also see a lot of. People around here have gotten the message that they have to give 3 feet of clearance when they pass a cyclist, but many don't get the part about waiting until they are sure it is actually safe to pass. I don't know the solution to this, since it seems like common sense to me to avoid a potential head-on collision, even if it means driving slowly for a few seconds.
- Gray 2010 carbon WSD road bike, Rivet Independence saddle
- Red hardtail 26" aluminum mountain bike, Bontrager Evoke WSD saddle
- Royal blue 2018 aluminum gravel bike, Rivet Pearl saddle
Gone but not forgotten:
- Silver 2003 aluminum road bike
- Two awesome worn out Juliana saddles