I won't criticise anyone for erring on the side of safety. That is
their perogative - and I appreciate the lack of traffic when the
weather turns nasty. It's just that it is obvious that their comfort
level with the conditions is significantly less than mine. I've seen
the exact opposite in other parts of the world - where the unprepared
plunge headlong into the unknown - and frequently pay the price for
their foolishness. I haven't had any run-ins with rednecks yet, but you
never know what will be around the next curve. Just this evening I had
an encounter with a groundhog while riding that could easily have
turned dramatic.

As for the debate about whitelining - I am not opposed to it in
principle. I favor making the most efficient use of the available
resources (pavement in this case), and do feel that the American
mindset of "stay in line and follow the leader" doesn't jibe with it.
That doesn't make it wrong - but does make it dangerous. I have driven
in third world countries where it is par for the course for the
2-wheelers (and sometimes 3-wheelers) to maneuver around all the cars,
trucks and buses stopped at a light -so as to be at the front when it
changes. Everyone accepts this situation - so it isn't a problem. Now
if we can get ower the notion that someone who passes you when you are
stuck in traffic (because their vehicle gives them the ability to do
so) is somehow taking unfair advantage of the situation, our highways
will be a better (and safer) place to be. Having said that, do I
whiteline? Nope - because I'm well aware of the hazards involved. The
closest I will come is to use a partial lane to make a right or left
turn. In other words, I'l pass on the left or right of stopped traffic
if I'm planning to turn (provided there is adequate space to do so
safely)- but never down the middle.

David Johnson