A couple of thoughts about riding on roads. If the shoulder is inconsistent or hazardous, try and stay inside the white line in the lane. Once you cross over it, in many if not all jurisdictions you need to yield to oncoming traffic to come back over it.
I also tend to do a small weave when out in the country riding solo and I know that there is traffic approaching from behind. Probably well less than a foot but I've found it tends to keep car mirrors much farther from my elbows. I'm a randonneur (we do time limited rides from 200 to 1200 kms) and a fellow rider had mentioned this technique and I thought it was stupid until I tried it.
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