Drawing depicts MLK Jr. Blvd. in Chapel Hill, NC, a road with lanes just 1′ wider than “standard” 12′ lanes.
The “Space Cushion” is the lane space of protection all around one’s vehicle.
IN THIS PAPER I show that when a bicyclist operates “Far To Right,” the Space Cushion collapses on both sides (shown above), resulting in increase risk of several collision mechanisms. In contrast, the Space Cushion is maximized when a bicyclist operates at lane center or further left and motorists change lanes to pass.
