Bikers - Undertaking, do we have any sympathy ?

[dapearson]

agreen said:

I don’t have much of a problem with bikes undertaking/filtering when done safely. (I am not a biker by the way so this is purely from a driver’s point of view). I think there can definitely be an element of poor observation and awareness on the part of both the car driver and/or sometimes the biker that often underpins the cause of some of the accidents mentioned above as I can’t imagine drivers would see a bike and actively move into it/block it likewise most bikers I know are pretty clued up on self preservation.

An example of bikers undertaking that I think is fairly safe happened yesterday- I was driving up the M11/A14 to work at main commuter time and traffic at that time was at lorry speed in Lane 1 and about 65-70ish in lane 2. (So not in the slow/queueing category but it wasn’t exactly flowing nicely). Clocked a bike filtering/passing through traffic a few cars back. I had a couple of options as it came up behind me set on my near side rear - (I also had cars in front of me so wasn’t being a moron sitting in the outside lane)

1) I could pull across the biker into lane 1 to allow him to pass on the outside, however I would have to drop my speed by about 15mph to fit into lane 1 (I was approaching to pass 2 lorries at this point) and there wasn’t really a gap that I could move into without causing others to change speed/brake. This option doesn’t help me and would involve cutting across a bike that might have been planning to overtake on the inside. Unlikely to end well.

2) I could stay put, pass the lorries and wait for a more suitable opportunity to move to lane 1. (Probably what the highway code would suggest).

3) (What I did) Indicated right to show the biker I knew he/she was there and moved to the right hand side of lane 2 to create a bit more room. Biker then proceeded to overtake on my near side in the half gap in lane 1. Friendly wave of the leg and off they went. I often use this approach and bikers always seem fairly appreciative - I don’t see the point in holding people up unnecessarily when they can make progress safely just because I can’t at that time whether that is overtaking on the inside or outside.

Does the above make sense or am I committing a big no-no to be widely condemned by the biking community and this forum?

Cheers

Alex

That's fine with me from a biker's POV. I'd rather not undertake, but sometimes it's better for you to stay put (or shift right as you did) and let the bike make its way past.

Having said that i wouldn't go past if you were doing that kind of speed, not unless you were obviously distracted by my presence and continually moving around, checking your mirrors. I've had instances of that happen where i feel safer just getting past and taking you up on your offer as it's probably safer for both concerned

[Mr2Mike]

HertsBiker said:

g3org3y said:

Mad Jock said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XihQeZpwqpE

Yoda or just fking lucky?

I like going fast but that made hair on my head and arms stand up..! Fantastic concentration there, great skills and reactions. Too quick for me though.

He is undoubtedly (much too) quick, but the film is sped up to make it look a faster still (look at the flashing rate of the indicators).