Quote Originally Posted by mattiooo View Post
People don't leave enough room as it is. I can't tell you the number of accidents I've seen on my commute in stop and go traffic because people are following too close. Calm down, people. You're all getting there at the same time.
As a rider you really shouldn't be leaving so much space that people think they're being held back. And if other cars are cutting in than the person behind you thinks he's been held back while you're not driving.

All while you have a smaller visual footprint making it appear that there is more room than there is.

The left lane is for passing, not for leaving enough space so you don't have to shift.