Cycles of all sorts

A bicyclist is using the full lane (also known as "taking the lane") when traveling along near the center of a marked travel lane instead of the side. Using the full lane normally precludes passing within the same lane by drivers of wide motor vehicles, while being positioned next to a lane line usually encourages such passing.

Vehicular cyclists commonly use the full lane under the following circumstances:

• when there is a junction at which approaching or waiting traffic may turn or cross directly in front of the cyclist
• when there is traffic approaching from the rear (to increase conspicuity),
• when traveling at the normal speed of traffic at that time and place,
• when the marked lane is too narrow to share comfortably with overtaking traffic,
• when merging across a roadway in preparation for a turn across the opposing lanes,
• when overtaking or passing another vehicle or cyclist,
• or whenever the cyclist feels it increases his safety.

John Franklin advocates operating bicycles in accordance with the basic rules of the road for vehicle operation. Using terms such as primary riding position — meaning in the center of the traffic lane — and secondary riding position — meaning about 1 meter (3 feet) to the side of moving traffic, but not closer than .5 meters (1.5 feet) to the edge of the road, Franklin advocates the primary riding position as the normal position and the secondary riding position only when safe and reasonable to allow faster traffic to pass.

Vehicular cycling, including using the full lane when appropriate, is supported by traffic laws in most countries (California's Vehicle Code section 21202 is an example of this).