well you live in a completely different continent. but they don't keep as close as the curb as possible in america and canada. even if you do.... the lane is made to FIT A !@#$%^&* CAR. if you take up a little part of the lane... CARS CANNOT P!@#$%^&* YOU. therefore, it's a safety hazard. drivers have to step on the !@#$%^&* brakes every 5 seconds to accomodate your dumb !@#$%^&*es, which then creates a chain reaction... hence, a potential car crash. if you slam on the brakes of course an accident will occur regardless of weather there is a cyclist or not. A gentle deceleration however then matching speed until a safe opportunity to p!@#$%^&* arises will not cause an accident. Yoy seem to be painting a picture of might is right here. Very true i do live on a different continent, cycling is very common here however the lower speed on roads with no cycle lanes still occurs. According to the UK highway code a cycle is a road using vehicle and therefore motorists have to treat a cycle eith the same respect as they would a car or any other road user.