Positioning (Passing Motorbikes)

[Tribal Chestnut]

From a bike perspective, I also prefer cars not to try and facilitate my passing, unless in slow moving/static traffic, in which case moving over and leaving a nice gap in front is always appreciated. I do try and wave or stick my boot out, but sometimes it isn’t safely possible.

[WilliamWoollard]

Don't encourage them to pass you but help them when they do.

[GriffoDP]

LosingGrip said:

Car and bike rider. I wont give up my position for a bike. Its easy enough to overtake. I also dislike it when cars move over. I'll go when its safe for me, not when someone in front wants me to overtake.

Ditto.

[PhilAsia]

I do not police but position firmly to discourage where passing would be possibly unsafe..., in the same way i would when meeting another road user where there is severely limited space.

I would also not position to encourage a pass unless it was absolutely safe to do so for both parties - whether prior to, or whilst in the process of passing..

[Pent]

I ride and drive.

If I drive, I don’t move over. Why?
Because I know when I’m on my bike I will choose when to overtake and when is safe.

Sometimes I want to just ride and I don’t need cars pulling to the left all the time when I want to just chill
Also most of the time, cars will churn up st on the side of the road into my visor haha

[hiccy18]

Tribal Chestnut said:

From a bike perspective, I also prefer cars not to try and facilitate my passing, unless in slow moving/static traffic, in which case moving over and leaving a nice gap in front is always appreciated. I do try and wave or stick my boot out, but sometimes it isn’t safely possible.

This.

If you're doing 40+ in a 50 then there's no reason to move over. If the bike rider pictured is comfortable making themselves meat in a sandwich then they're possibly thinking less about their safety than you are thinking about yours.

[Salted_Peanut]

Tribal Chestnut said:

From a bike perspective, I also prefer cars not to try and facilitate my passing, unless in slow moving/static traffic, in which case moving over and leaving a nice gap in front is always appreciated. I do try and wave or stick my boot out, but sometimes it isn’t safely possible.

^ this.

[Donbot]

Pent said:

I ride and drive.

If I drive, I don’t move over. Why?
Because I know when I’m on my bike I will choose when to overtake and when is safe.

Sometimes I want to just ride and I don’t need cars pulling to the left all the time when I want to just chill
Also most of the time, cars will churn up st on the side of the road into my visor haha

^This.

A couple years ago a van in front of me almost ended up in a ditch such was their enthusiasm to give me space.

Best to drive normally. It's up to the rider overtaking to make sure it is safe.

[BoRED S2upid]

_Hoppers said:

No 1, your recent experience confirms this too!

This. By moving over you are encouraging the overtake. Stay where you are.

[Killboy]

Errr, those pics do not look very hairy to me at all. So much space for the bike, and I'm not sure where he put you in danger?

I think its all situational. If there are a line of cars queuing behind something like a tractor or group of cyclists, whats wrong with opening a bit of space in front of you for bikers behind you to leapfrog the queue? Cars cant make progress like bikes, so why hold them up?

Moving over - well thats a mixed bag too. Moving over too much - especially in right hand lanes on highways - throws up debris etc from the sides. Moving over a little - while it doesn't necessarily help them overtake, it signals to the rider you've seen them. Obviously there is room for error here, as the rider needs to make a decision on whether that is deliberate - but over time it becomes clear.

[911hope]

Very simple. The motorcyclist should not be doing an overtake unless it is safe. I.e bags of space ahead on the other side of the road to pass with a large lateral gap to the vehicle being overtaken.

Moving over invite a bad decision and squeeze past is not a good idea for anyone.

Edited by 911hope on Thursday 25th May 23:15