Which lane do you prefer?

[tbante]

In metro areas with 4 or 5 lanes in each direction which lane do you think is safest? I have seen so many close calls in the far right lane with people cutting across 2 or 3 lanes to exit at the last minute that I am thinking the far left lane is the best bet. That right lane might be slower but too much merging for me.
What have you learned ...........what do you do?

[Soupskin]

If there is a concrete barrier in the middle, I always go far left.

If there is just a center turn lane, I go far left if it is crowded and middle if there is light traffic.

[luckylindy]

+1 on far left lane.  I rarely ride in metro areas with multiple lanes, but I feel safer in the left lane.

[Bumblebee]

What have you learned ...........what do you do?

I learned not to ride on roads with more than two lanes in each direction. Three lanes is the absolute limit in a city. At four or more lanes, I find an alternate route.

The far left lane is where the aggressive people in a big hurry like to drive because they know they can maintain 20-40mph over the posted limit and will try to touch your tail light if you're slower than them.

[Soupskin]

What have you learned ...........what do you do?

I learned not to ride on roads with more than two lanes in each direction. Three lanes is the absolute limit in a city. At four or more lanes, I find an alternate route.

The far left lane is where the aggressive people in a big hurry like to drive because they know they can maintain 20-40mph over the posted limit and will try to touch your tail light if you're slower than them.

I'd rather them be on my rear in the fast lane than have them sideswipe me if I'm in the next lane to the right while they try to pass the other slow person in the fast lane.

[Burgi]

Most of the freeways around me have HOV lanes in the #1 position. In theory they have limited access but that just means you will get a ticket if you're caught crossing in or out outside of the designated opennings. In other words, you maybe more protected in the #2 lane but not necessarily. I ride in the #1 (HOV) or 2 on freeways. The less chance of cars changing lanes the better and the further right you go the more lane changes going on.
If someone comes up on my rear I have no problem moving right to let them pass. I'm not the police and I'm not interested in trying to control the road. I figure if you let the people that want to go fast through on the left they have less reason to race and swerve through all lanes.
I avoid the far right lane on any type of road. It is to easy for someone doing a rolling stop to pull out into that right lane without ever seeing a bike.

[Hondo]

Middle lanes are generally considered kill zones because somebody isn't going to see you.

Riding on the outside lanes will almost always allow you one escape route, though on the freeway merging traffic makes the far right dangerous.

[Pithecanthropus]

Middle lanes are generally considered kill zones because somebody isn't going to see you.

Riding on the outside lanes will almost always allow you one escape route, though on the freeway merging traffic makes the far right dangerous.

I always felt comfortable in the first lane. I don't like to ride 20+ the speed limit and the shoulder around here (NC) is always pretty clean and wide, just in case. I know the left lane is preferable but I feel a bit safer in the first lane dealing with merging traffic (switch to middle briefly) from time-to-time rather than with the speedsters and driving skills/awareness that comes with them.

[ariwhiteboy]

In metro areas with 4 or 5 lanes in each direction which lane do you think is safest? 
What have you learned ...........what do you do?

I have learned (in many aspects of life) that there is no such thing as "safety", only heightened awareness and constantly having an escape route.  That being said this "two lane country boy" prefers the leftmost lane in freeway situations 90% of the time.  I might hang out in the middle briefly, but that's only if I need to let someone by on the fast lane.  I don't fly down the road, but I do like to be moving a touch faster than the majority of cages.  +1 on what soup said about keeping the dangers behind you, If things get too thick cage wise I'll boogie on out at the first opportunity.

[Bumblebee]

I know the left lane is preferable but I feel a bit safer in the first lane dealing with merging traffic (switch to middle briefly) from time-to-time rather than with the speedsters and driving skills/awareness that comes with them.

One thing to watch out for is those 270 degree on-ramps that dump merging traffic into a short acceleration/exit lane. Cages will get on the power through the last 90 degrees of the turn and will go wide 1-2 lanes before getting the turn into traffic under control.

It's all about situational awareness. Look ahead and know what's coming long before getting mixed up with it.

[Burgi]

I know the left lane is preferable but I feel a bit safer in the first lane dealing with merging traffic (switch to middle briefly) from time-to-time rather than with the speedsters and driving skills/awareness that comes with them.

One thing to watch out for is those 270 degree on-ramps that dump merging traffic into a short acceleration/exit lane. Cages will get on the power through the last 90 degrees of the turn and will go wide 1-2 lanes before getting the turn into traffic under control.

Yeah, you gotta worry about those merging in and the ones that decide last moment they want to get off. Their only concern is catching their exit, anyone that stands between them and their goal be damned.

[tbante]

Just yesterday I was in my cage in the far right lane approaching an exit (I was not taking the exit). A guy was in the far left lane in a pickup, towing a boat.
I dont even have to tell you what this jerkwad did, do I?
Unbelievable.....he crossed over 4 lanes to get to his exit.
It looked like a restart at the Daytona 500.

[muttstang]

I'm a big fan of the left lane.  the speeders here usually aren't going more then 15 over so I typically see them coming up behind me being that I check my mirrors a lot.  Too many idiots who change lanes without warning into the right lane.

[LOKi]

I'm a left lane rider. Never had a problem with cagers coming up from behind. 

[muttstang]

try riding in san francisco....

I'm a left lane rider. Never had a problem with cagers coming up from behind. 

[happycommuter]

I keep right except to pass.  I wish everyone did.  Needless to say, this necessitates constant lane changes but you stay visible ands alert that way.

[LOKi]

I keep right except to pass.  I wish everyone did.  Needless to say, this necessitates constant lane changes but you stay visible and alert that way.

I do keep right except to pass. 

Really we are talking heavy traffic here. On the open HWY out in the country I stay to the right. But in cities where traffic is dense with distracted drivers eating fast food, putting on makeup, and texting while merging with traffic I want to put myself as far from that mess as possible. I think its safer to be moving slightly faster than traffic.

I want to take control of the situation not just sit and let things happen around me. I'm always moving forward. Always looking for the next empty spot in traffic and moving toward it. Keeping options open in case the situation changes. If your already moving to that next empty spot when the cage next to you decides he wants your lane and starts to move over with no signal then its no big deal. Punch it and shoot into the spot you where going to anyway. If his actions cut that option off go to option two. If that option is also cut off then break. If breaking would cause a rear end collision with a mac truck then take the white line. There is almost always a way out on the HWY. Expect every single cage around you to not see you and suddenly want your spot. Plan accordingly. 

The way I look at it. It's easier to drive forward than reverse. If traffic is moving faster than you then you might as well be going backwards. Driving by mirror so you can see the cars approach from behind. At the same time you have to watch out for the cars in front that suddenly slow down for a stupid crow or trash bag on the side of the road.

OH Happy birthday happycommuter

[hppants]

I like......




 

[manimoney1]

I commute 30 miles everyday on the interstate in the Bay Area.  I always stay in the far right lane and cruise 3 seconds behind big 18-wheelers.  If someone doesn't see me then at least they have seen the truck. I am very aware of ppl merging and it is fine with me.  I slow down if someone is trying to make an exit....it's no big deal. 

Research stats have consistently shown that the likelihood traffic accidents increases with the number of lane changes and in the far left lanes.  By staying in the right, I minimize my lane changes and remain aware of what others are doing.