Staying alive out there.

Is it urban, rural, or N roads without a shoulder?

Don't do the urban cycling myself, but when i'm on back roads If theres a car behind me i'd dip into someones tapered driveway, or else a gateway, seems a bit dickish to hold someone up on a narrow road when they'll never get a chance to pass, same person will probably go out and buzz the next cyclist they see.

On your average R road I'd keep myself where the left wheels of cars would be, and it seems to do me alright, I find it's the tourists drive the worst, too scared to go onto the other side of the road to overtake, but it doesn't really bother me If i get a close pass if the car isn't going much quicker than me, but it's a bit scary when I get passed by someone that goes past without slowing even a bit it's off putting.

Got a bottle of pasta sauce lobbed out of a car window at me when I was in college, but it was RAG week so it was high spirits more than maliciousness, got some wimmen all dolled up covered with the sauce.

Best approach is a bit of give and take, it's the lads that cycle really hella defensively because of getting abuse a few times, the overly defensive cycling gets them even more stick off cars.

Each and every time? :eek: Maybe I've become immune to being buzzed and I don't notice it happening, but that seems excessive. Maybe you're riding too close to the left? Strangely, being too close to the left can make traffic coming up behind you think there's plenty of room, and pass you closely without slowing down. If you're further to the right, the gap is perceived as smaller and the obstacle (you) as bigger, therefore the gut reaction is to pass wider and often slowing down first. Obviously, too far to the right (without signalling intent, shoulder check, eye contact) can be seen as taking the piss, and you'll get abuse for it.

I think by default I position myself where my left wheels would be in a four-wheeled vehicle. It's not in the gutter, and it can be the smoothest spot on the road (due to use). I take the lane when I need to (with a shoulder check first, and signal if required). Very rarely need to pull in to let others go by. I will ease off if a truck is waiting to pass me and I can see it's safe to do so. Don't call them on though, you don't know what their acceleration is like.

Cyclecraft might help you with road positioning and general cycling tips, like making eye contact etc.

Be courteous, but not submissive.

Cycling for 25 years. The safest position is about 18-24 inches out from kerb.

If you cycle close in they will indeed squeeze past you at speed. This is different to the kind of driver that will knock you down no matter where on the road you are( and of course leave your dying body on the road as was case recently).
Personally I cycle about 24 inches out this way drivers have to go around you rather than squeeze by.