The safest way to cycle here is to ride as FRAP, because the automobile traffic is, in many cases, traveling in excess of 50mph. So if I'm doing 20mph, cars are closing from behind @ ~45fps. Factor in average human reaction time, assume that the driver is at an average level of distraction, and "taking the lane" isn't a safe pursuit.
Do I take the lane? All the time. My bike has radar. Not every road is chock full of high-speed traffic. But to even suggest that always taking the lane is the safest way to ride a bike is reckless.
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