Quote:
Originally Posted by dpg
Can't really comment on why some bikes hug the yellow line so much. However I do know why they generally will not ride the middle of their side. That's where cars will drip any oil, coolant, etc that one may be losing. Have you even notices the "dark" center patch in the middle of the lane? Hit something new (wet) and bang, your going over. Mighty sarcastic opening to the beginning of this thread by the way. No, I do not own a bike.
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This is very true, bikers try to stay out of the danger zone in the middle of a lane. IMO, they should all stay in the the tire tracks, that is where the cars wheels would be. Riding the centerline is incredibly dangerous, and is a pet peeve of mine as well.
A little story. I used to commute through Boston to Newton for work. One hot summer day I was riding my m'cycle down Storrow Drive. I came out of the tunnel and up around the bend towards the Hatch Shell. I got into the middle of the lane (the danger zone) and my back wheel lost traction and I started skidding. I was real close to going down. A bit further down the road I came to a red light. I stopped and put my feet down. My right foot slipped right out from underneath me, and I nearly tipped over just sitting there.
So yes, that center of the lane can be very very slippery. But one does not have to ride down the center line to avoid it.
BTW, there was discussion about this recently here:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ead.php?t=7795