The UN-Blocking position????

[EngineerJoe]

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With more and more bikes on the road, and more and more newbs.
I'm seeing a lot of people in the absolute wrong position in the lane.
I always want to pull them over and tell them what they're doing wrong and how dangerous it can be, but that would be rude.


What to do?

Speaking as one of the "new" riders (so new I don't even have my bike yet)..... if you EVER pull me over to tell me of a mistake I'm making, I may thank you and shake your hand.... but you have to realize that I understand that many other experienced riders make mistakes too, so as far as I know, you may be telling me something wrong. In other words, I'll kindly listen to what you have to say, but don't expect me to blindly follow... no offense.

 

[outkastland]

As a new rider I would take advisement from a seasoned rider. I know the lane position due to the safety course i took but if I did not take it I would want to know.

 

[Griffin]

Your opinion on the centre of the lane might change, if you have to brake hard into a stop light just after it's started raining.

Well ya see, I do this really odd thing when I ride my bike, I keep an eye on the road surface. Helps me see pot holes, oil slicks, broken glass etc. And when riding in the rain I ride very conservatively and virtually never have to stop hard. If I do, I'm keeping an eye out for the oily film that makes it pretty clear the surface is really slippery.

What I don't do is slavishly position my bike on the leftmost spot of the lane because someone told me that will "block" my lane from vehicles that weigh 10-20 times mine and are piloted by people that likely are not paying any attention and probably wouldn't even notice if they drove right over me. A position that keeps my fragile bike within inches of vehicles going in the other direction that often drift over the centre line. But, meh, I've only been riding for 35 years.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Which is precisely why I mentioned the timing; just after a rain has started. Looking for it or not, you won't see it.

 

[ariesmars]

I don't think the person on the bike would be able to hear me over their own engine so I don't say anything but I would if I could.

Blocking position actually saved my life once now I swear by it. And since someone taught me, I'll teach someone else.

 

[mxs]

What I don't do is slavishly position my bike on the leftmost spot of the lane because someone told me that will "block" my lane from vehicles that weigh 10-20 times mine and are piloted by people that likely are not paying any attention and probably wouldn't even notice if they drove right over me. A position that keeps my fragile bike within inches of vehicles going in the other direction that often drift over the centre line. But, meh, I've only been riding for 35 years.

It's hilarious that after 35 years of riding you'd think that a blocking position is supposed to PHYSICALLY block a vehicle from entering your lane. You can't be serious? Either you know what the term blocking means and you are just stirring things up or you really have no clue in which case you've been extremely lucky in last 35 years. Good luck with the emergency braking in the spotty center lane ... one day you will not have enough time to scan a surface for debris or oil spots.

 

[C109Knight]

I only use blocking position in the city, and then only when its appropriate. If I'm on the highway odds are I'm in middle of the center lane. Why? Because you're less likely to get hit by some jerk that "couldnt see you". I find my lane position deters no one from driving recklessly around me, and that being in the center gives me maximum avoidance capabilities on all sides. Also, I dont have to be in the slow lane or the fast lane, so I'm not holding up myself or others by being in the center. Further, the rationale that "thats where cars are likely to leak oil" I find to be a dated and no longer a good argument. And like the other person mentioned, on a two lane highway blocking position puts you too close to oncoming traffic - and for what? To deter someone from passing you? If they want to pass they will pass, where you are in the lane makes no difference. Blocking position is born of the belief that there has to be some rational order to the safety of this very dangerous sport (so that regulators can regulate). But its bad advice to take it too seriously, the best advice is to use your brain and do whats smart given the situation.

And no, I would not have appreciated the advice

I agree with you 100%. With years of experience under my belt, I have realized one thing that safety comes first and it is in your hands. 1 extra second can save your life. You want to ride in Blocking position on a two lane highway is totally dependent on your skills. What is the use of riding in the blocking lane if your skills are not enough to pull away from a car which jumps into your lane. The other day I was on Islington south(4 lane), holding my blocking lane when a girl in her SUV tried to change lanes on me...she was texting. My habits of checking mirrors, being aware of my surrondings & putting 100% of my attention on the road saved me. That time I was thinking that center tire track would have given me an extra edge. The debate goes on but remember everything is dependant on your skill level also. Practice Practice..put more hours of good sensible riding hours under your belt... it will definately help when you are need. Also, Ride fast not Rash...

 

[socially distorted]

I've been riding on the street for 30-some years now and was originally taught to ride in the left tire lane, although i dont ever recall it being referred to as a blocking lane. I read this thread a few days ago and it gave me things to think about. Then I went for a nice long ride the other day and paid special attention to the pros and cons of riding in the "blocking" position. For my two cents, the blocking position offers far more pros than cons. Here's why: it was early morning and even though the road near my house I had always considered the same for the entire width, because of the angle of the sun I could see a definite shine in the middle of the lane compared to what was in the tire tracks. That there would tell me there IS more oil or other slippery stuff, and we cant always see it! I came up on a line of vehicles travelling along a two lane highway, that one in front of me was an SUV. If I moved to the centre of my lane, I could not see what was going on in front of the SUV, but when I stayed in the "blocking" position, I could see several vehicles. Since one of the keys to staying upright is being aware of whats going on around you all the time, it makes sense to be able to see the vehicles ahead and not just the one directly in front. As others have mentioned, certainly conditions etc will dictate what is best and it makes more sense that if I am the only vehicle going in one direction and there is a row of vehicles travelling in the opposite direction then i will drift to the centre or to the right tire track because as sure as a duck on a junebug there will be some impatient cager peaking out over the centre line looking to pass. IMO riding in the blocking position is the best choice the majority of the time, but be aware of road conditions and the location of other vehicles, driveways, etc.
BTW, I live east of toronto so most of my riding is fairly rural two lane. All bets are off on the 401 and downtown cuz I've seen some giant craters in the tire lanes! I honestly dont know how you toronto guys ride in that constant traffic without crapping yourself! Every time I take a trip through there I'm left shaking my head at how you can find it enjoyable day in and day out fighting with that traffic mess. stay safe out there.

 

[vdk]

The car was obviously going to be coming over and the rider didn't act pro-actively. He sat in the blind spot, of an impatient driver. Just taking a blocking position isn't enough. Besides that, he likely should have been closer to the leading rider, and in the opposite track, notthe left blocking position.

Bingo! Plenty of time to move out of the way... That was easily avoidable.

 

[Buddhacide]

First of all, anyone that uses phrases like "as sure as a duck on a junebug " is ok in my book.

Second, I think alot of what you've mentioned here doesnt apply to "blocking theory" per se, but rather doing what makes the most sense, like increasing visibility. Blocking theory states, essentially, that your lane position will deter others from driving too close to you. I dont believe thats the experience of many riders. It certainly isnt mine. For me, the best "block" is a good defence - by allowing as much space as possible - not pretending to be a larger vehicle than I am.

As far as the slick on the road concern, if you are on a two lane highway and you find this to be a concern, it might very well make more sense to maintain a left tire track position in general. But this isnt for purposes of blocking, just good sense. If I am on the DVP, Gardiner, or 400 Series highways concerns about oil and diesel take a far back seat to getting sideswiped, rear ended, or otherwise run over by some moron that didnt bother to look up long enough from his text message to avoid ramming his 8 passenger vehicle into me.

I've been riding on the street for 30-some years now and was originally taught to ride in the left tire lane, although i dont ever recall it being referred to as a blocking lane. I read this thread a few days ago and it gave me things to think about. Then I went for a nice long ride the other day and paid special attention to the pros and cons of riding in the "blocking" position. For my two cents, the blocking position offers far more pros than cons. Here's why: it was early morning and even though the road near my house I had always considered the same for the entire width, because of the angle of the sun I could see a definite shine in the middle of the lane compared to what was in the tire tracks. That there would tell me there IS more oil or other slippery stuff, and we cant always see it! I came up on a line of vehicles travelling along a two lane highway, that one in front of me was an SUV. If I moved to the centre of my lane, I could not see what was going on in front of the SUV, but when I stayed in the "blocking" position, I could see several vehicles. Since one of the keys to staying upright is being aware of whats going on around you all the time, it makes sense to be able to see the vehicles ahead and not just the one directly in front. As others have mentioned, certainly conditions etc will dictate what is best and it makes more sense that if I am the only vehicle going in one direction and there is a row of vehicles travelling in the opposite direction then i will drift to the centre or to the right tire track because as sure as a duck on a junebug there will be some impatient cager peaking out over the centre line looking to pass. IMO riding in the blocking position is the best choice the majority of the time, but be aware of road conditions and the location of other vehicles, driveways, etc.
BTW, I live east of toronto so most of my riding is fairly rural two lane. All bets are off on the 401 and downtown cuz I've seen some giant craters in the tire lanes! I honestly dont know how you toronto guys ride in that constant traffic without crapping yourself! Every time I take a trip through there I'm left shaking my head at how you can find it enjoyable day in and day out fighting with that traffic mess. stay safe out there.

 

[Buddhacide]

I'd just like to throw in that twice in last 7 days or so my "blocking position" (downtown) has left drivers with the impression that its ok to pass me to the left in my own lane. Just this morning on Bloor st (as usual) some woman decides she doesnt like driving behind a motorcycle, waits until I veer a little too right, and guns it past me in my own lane. For no other reason than to get one vehicle ahead.

Drivers with half a clue are NOT the real problem. There are drivers out there that absolutely out of it, and blocking position seems to only encourage them in these cases.

 

[hammakat]

I ride where I'm comfortable and have the best view/be view opportunity. That's not always the blocking position.

This all the way. I tell new riders to ride like they are invisible to everyone else on the road. I'm not always in the blocking position either if I think I'm safer elsewhere in the lane at that moment.

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