[SDCBC] Cycling Etiquette

[James Hotchkiss]

I got into a yelling match with a motorist on my way home (on my bike) this
afternoon.
I feel bad because I know that the motorist went home with a sour experience
with a cyclist.  I also question as to whether I was in the right.
Going west on Fletcher Parkway, coming out of El Cajon, the (3 lane) road
forks.  2 lanes go to the left and remain Fletcher Parkway, 2 lanes go to
the right and become Navajo Road.  The center lane splits.  I need to follow
the road to the left (Fletcher Parkway).  As a cyclist I position myself in
the middle of the center lane, forcing cars that are going to go to the
right of the fork to take the lane to my right, and forcing the cars that
are going to go to the left of the fork to take the lane to my left.  Once
past the fork, I move over to the right side of the road.
This motorist came up behind me and leaned on her horn.  I caught her at a
traffic light and she was furious with me.  She told me that she almost hit
me and had to take evasive action to get around me.  (When I had moved in to
occupy the center lane, there was no one within 200 yards of me).
I told her that I needed to establish myself in the center lane to let
motorists know my intentions.  She felt that I was cycling recklessly.  I
think she thought I should have stayed to the extreme right and moved over
only at the last minute. 
Was I following proper bicycle/automobile etiquette?
Is there a quick response that I could have given this motorist to get her
to see my predicament and maybe come out of the exchange with compassion for
what it is like to commute on a bicycle?

Thanks,

JimH

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