Why you should give cyclists a wide berth when passing.

[Zoobeef]

WinstonWolf said:

Had he given that much room he would have missed the cyclists head. That is the correct position to be in when overtaking cyclists.

It was completely the cyclists fault, but as a driver I'd rather avoid hitting anyone. If you can mitigate a poleaxe by giving a bit more room it makes sense to me.

His left wheels were at the edge of the road. Just how far into the dirt do you expect him to drive?

Or are you saying roads are only for cyclists now?

[WinstonWolf]

No, I'm saying what I said, that's why I said it. Personally I could do without the aggro when I'm driving. If good positioning helps me avoid other road users then I'll employ it.

[Zoobeef]

WinstonWolf said:

No, I'm saying what I said, that's why I said it. Personally I could do without the aggro when I'm driving. If good positioning helps me avoid other road users then I'll employ it.

Yes you said he should give him more room. He is at the left edge of the road. Do you want cars to have to drive "off road" to pass cyclists?

[spookly]

funkyrobot said:

I would say the cyclists in question aren't courteous. However, the problem arises when all cyclists are judged in this manner.

There are blanket comments in this thread along the lines of 'idiots in lycra'. These are made by some about pretty much every cyclist they see. Painted with the same brush and all that.

If it's any consolation, I don't behave like the cyclists you mention. I'm sure that the majority of cyclists on here (who have a good balance of driving and riding experience) would be the same as me.

In my experience, the difference seems to manifest between cyclists who are cycling for transport who seem more courteous, and the lycra clad TDF fans.

I have never had any of those wearing lycra pull over to let me past. No matter that there is a huge queue behind them or that they are doing 10mph up a hill in an NSL on an A road. Unfortunately, because our roads are often a bit congested this makes overtaking dangerous or impossible even on fairly wide A roads, as there is always something coming the other way. That's before they insist on riding several abreast and in long peletons.

[Jodyone]

spookly said:

funkyrobot said:

I would say the cyclists in question aren't courteous. However, the problem arises when all cyclists are judged in this manner.

There are blanket comments in this thread along the lines of 'idiots in lycra'. These are made by some about pretty much every cyclist they see. Painted with the same brush and all that.

If it's any consolation, I don't behave like the cyclists you mention. I'm sure that the majority of cyclists on here (who have a good balance of driving and riding experience) would be the same as me.

In my experience, the difference seems to manifest between cyclists who are cycling for transport who seem more courteous, and the lycra clad TDF fans.

I have never had any of those wearing lycra pull over to let me past. No matter that there is a huge queue behind them or that they are doing 10mph up a hill in an NSL on an A road. Unfortunately, because our roads are often a bit congested this makes overtaking dangerous or impossible even on fairly wide A roads, as there is always something coming the other way. That's before they insist on riding several abreast and in long peletons.

I wear lycra on the bike, I enjoy the TdF, I cycle for transport, I drive for transport, I drive for fun (occasionally), I cycle for fun. When in "lycra-clad TdF fan mode" I certainly try to make it easier for cars to pass, as do my riding friends, because riding with cars stuck behind you is pretty unpleasant, and frustrating for the drivers. That doesn't mean we pull into the hedge the second a car appears, but we'll try to slow a little and pull in asap, indicate to the car if there's clear road ahead, etc. If it's clear the car can't pass and clearly can't drive faster than us anyway (common on small twisty roads downhill) then we'll use the whole lane until things change.

The point has been made by many on here that courtesy is not a tribal characteristic: there is a dick contingent in any grouping of people. It must be remembered however, that when you're driving and you see bike riders being rude and thoughtless, it's really irritating, and sometimes dangerous. When you're riding and you encounter drivers being rude and thoughtless, it's absolutely terrifying. That feeling- of mortal vulnerability- is a regular feature in practically every bike ride I ever take. Responsibility must scale with the damage you can do, surely.

[DoubleD]

Its is the responsibility of all road users, regardless of their transport choice, to use the roads in a safe and courteous way.

[wst]

DoubleD said:

If they moved into single file(as i used to do when out riding with friends)it would make things safer for everyone. Its all about helping each other and getting along.

If they're in single file you won't have any gaps to return to - you'd be overtaking a long chain - if something caused you to need to return to the left side of the road.

[DoubleD]

Only ever 3 of us, and no lycra! You should consider the needs of others when using the road. If you are in a large group then you should leave gaps to allow faster moving transport to pass more easily and therefore more safely. If you are passing large groups then you should only pass when its clear.

Its all fairly simple stuff.

[spookly]

Jodyone said:

spookly said:

funkyrobot said:

I would say the cyclists in question aren't courteous. However, the problem arises when all cyclists are judged in this manner.

There are blanket comments in this thread along the lines of 'idiots in lycra'. These are made by some about pretty much every cyclist they see. Painted with the same brush and all that.

If it's any consolation, I don't behave like the cyclists you mention. I'm sure that the majority of cyclists on here (who have a good balance of driving and riding experience) would be the same as me.

In my experience, the difference seems to manifest between cyclists who are cycling for transport who seem more courteous, and the lycra clad TDF fans.

I have never had any of those wearing lycra pull over to let me past. No matter that there is a huge queue behind them or that they are doing 10mph up a hill in an NSL on an A road. Unfortunately, because our roads are often a bit congested this makes overtaking dangerous or impossible even on fairly wide A roads, as there is always something coming the other way. That's before they insist on riding several abreast and in long peletons.

I wear lycra on the bike, I enjoy the TdF, I cycle for transport, I drive for transport, I drive for fun (occasionally), I cycle for fun. When in "lycra-clad TdF fan mode" I certainly try to make it easier for cars to pass, as do my riding friends, because riding with cars stuck behind you is pretty unpleasant, and frustrating for the drivers. That doesn't mean we pull into the hedge the second a car appears, but we'll try to slow a little and pull in asap, indicate to the car if there's clear road ahead, etc. If it's clear the car can't pass and clearly can't drive faster than us anyway (common on small twisty roads downhill) then we'll use the whole lane until things change.

The point has been made by many on here that courtesy is not a tribal characteristic: there is a dick contingent in any grouping of people. It must be remembered however, that when you're driving and you see bike riders being rude and thoughtless, it's really irritating, and sometimes dangerous. When you're riding and you encounter drivers being rude and thoughtless, it's absolutely terrifying. That feeling- of mortal vulnerability- is a regular feature in practically every bike ride I ever take. Responsibility must scale with the damage you can do, surely.

I can appreciate all of that. But what I would like to see cyclists do, rather than slow down or try and direct me, is to actually pull over in a layby or somewhere off the road to allow traffic queues to pass.
TBF, I'd also like to see HGVs and people with caravans do it once in a while. I've seen tractors do it often enough.

Find a steep hill and these cyclists will be struggling to do 10mph. In NSL zones with lots of bends that is something I personally would not risk.

[Jodyone]

spookly said:

I can appreciate all of that. But what I would like to see cyclists do, rather than slow down or try and direct me, is to actually pull over in a layby or somewhere off the road to allow traffic queues to pass.

That;s what I meant by "pull in asap". I appreciate it wasn't obvious..! It really is no fun riding with a car up yer ass, apart from the courtesy aspect. Plenty of people don't seem to mind it though, which bewilders me. (I bet they're the same people who never indicate, who tailgate, who never let anyone out etc when they're in a car..)

[WinstonWolf]

Zoobeef said:

WinstonWolf said:

No, I'm saying what I said, that's why I said it. Personally I could do without the aggro when I'm driving. If good positioning helps me avoid other road users then I'll employ it.

Yes you said he should give him more room. He is at the left edge of the road. Do you want cars to have to drive "off road" to pass cyclists?

No. Just use the image in the Highway Code as an example.

[Finlandia]

WinstonWolf said:

Zoobeef said:

WinstonWolf said:

No, I'm saying what I said, that's why I said it. Personally I could do without the aggro when I'm driving. If good positioning helps me avoid other road users then I'll employ it.

Yes you said he should give him more room. He is at the left edge of the road. Do you want cars to have to drive "off road" to pass cyclists?

No. Just use the image in the Highway Code as an example.

Look at the image in the HC and then look at the beginning of the video. same room given. What if the cyclist in the HC image suddenly veered into the path of the car, which is what happened in the video, then what?

[Zoobeef]

WinstonWolf said:

No. Just use the image in the Highway Code as an example.

Ahh, so you're saying you can't overtake a cyclist unless there are 2 clearly marked lanes and you're in the other one.

[GetCarter]

Zoobeef said:

WinstonWolf said:

No. Just use the image in the Highway Code as an example.

Ahh, so you're saying you can't overtake a cyclist unless there are 2 clearly marked lanes and you're in the other one.

If so, I'm behind them for 17 miles from my house.

[BrownBottle]

This thread makes no sense, a cyclist might be pished swerve in front of you and fall off his bike under your car so as a motorist you better be prepared and take to the dirt just incase?

I'll just keep passing them assuming they're able to maintain their speed and course same as I do with every other vehicle I overtake but thanks for the heads up...

[WinstonWolf]

Zoobeef said:

WinstonWolf said:

No. Just use the image in the Highway Code as an example.

Ahh, so you're saying you can't overtake a cyclist unless there are 2 clearly marked lanes and you're in the other one.

:sigh: No, I'm saying what I said, that's why I said it...

If I haven't said something then I'm not saying it.

[GetCarter]

WinstonWolf said:

Zoobeef said:

WinstonWolf said:

No. Just use the image in the Highway Code as an example.

Ahh, so you're saying you can't overtake a cyclist unless there are 2 clearly marked lanes and you're in the other one.

:sigh: No, I'm saying what I said, that's why I said it...

If I haven't said something then I'm not saying it.

Just in case I'm being stupid (it has been known). Are you saying that cars should leave that amount of space whilst overtaking a cyclist?

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 21st August 19:27

[WinstonWolf]

[GetCarter]

WinstonWolf said:

Yes, I read that, I'm asking you Not a trick question.

[WinstonWolf]

GetCarter said:

WinstonWolf said:

Yes, I read that, I'm asking you Not a trick question.

That is my answer

If I'm driving on a narrow road and I physically can't leave that much space I keep my speed differential low as if I were passing a horse.

I'm a chilled driver these days, I pass when it's safe not just because there is a slower road user in front of me