I don't think one can "protect one's lane".... in any contest between a bike and a car... the bike is going to come up "short"
What the OP describes, seems to me, is more of keeping the other vehicle operators AWARE of the bike/rider's presence.
Each vehicle occupies their lane... a bike might be "seen" as an empty spot, by another (passing) vehicle. a slow, but deliberate "weave" within the bike's lane, will present a view of the bike, and the movement, is more likely to attract a driver's attention, thn remaining in one (relative) position

 

I was taught to "command my position " when riding ..... call it what you like ... to me it means my *** is my own for another day ..... if the cage's don't like it well it will just have to go in my IN tray and i'll take a look later!.....

 

I remember the first time I was sitting at a stoplight in the left third of the right lane and a cage squeezed in and almost hit me turning on red. I was pissed. So now I hold the bike in the right side blocking people from turning right next to me. That is not aggressive driving. That is a defensive response to others aggresion. I don't have to literally kill myself letting others take advantage of me.

 

I also am also offended when some chit for brains, while I am stopped waiting for a stoplit or stop sign, pulls up right next to me on the right side of my lane. On more than one occasion things have got ugly quick. I have always occupied the left third of my lane but now move over more to the middle at stoplites.

 

Lots of good comments. MSF teaches the best lane position is the one that is appropriate for that moment in time....in other words, it is constantly changing depending on road conditions, other traffic, intersections, curves, blind curves, weather, etc.

One caution about stopping in the middle of a lane. You may find yourself on a more slippery surface than in either the left or right side, due to fluid droppings from other vehicles.

A cycle is a motor vehicle, and like all others, is entitled to the full use of the lane. This also includes other motorcyclists. They do not have "the right" to pass you in your lane, but in some states you may give them permission to do so, by waving them by.

When a car approaches you from the rear, by moving into the left third of your lane, you force them to use proper passing. If they cut it too close, you have the whole center and right side of the lane to get out of their way. MSF calls that a "space cushion."

 

We have had several discussions on this in the last few years. Like the OP I was taught to control my lane and protect my position while demanding respect. That means I am here and give me room. I will not die over lane position or poorly chosen choices. I will analyze, anticipate, evade, survive. Then I will deal with the idiot that just tried to kill me by analyzing, anticipating, and doing what I think needs to be done if I choose. There are many ways to deal with idiots---the problem is not becoming an idiot doing it. I am also disgusted by the meek and weak.

 

Some of this reminds me of the runover pedestrian that said, "But I was in the crosswalk".

just sayin

 

Worth repeating.

 

I have not been riding a long time but the side next to the yellow line puts me pretty close to on coming traffic, which makes me a little uncomfortable.

 

ALMOST always.

My friend's bagger went out from under him one morning on the way to breakfast (unmarked road construction debris) and hit a toyota. He gathered up his scuffed-up leathers and went and got his other bike and continued on to breakfast. The driver of the toyota left in an ambulance.

Back OT, I don't know if I call it "protecting my lane", but I try to make everybody aware that it's occupied. But I tend to move away from other people rather than hang around protecting a spot alongside of them.