Overtake Etiquette

[rsdntbplr]

I'm on a 50cc. I didn't go for a 125cc because I'm taking my practical car driving test in December/January time and not planning on taking my full bike test until the later part of 2016 (for financial reasons). I love the feeling of riding a motorcycle. It's more exhilarating and enjoyable than driving a car. So, if it wasn't for the fact that I'm the only in a household of 5 on the road despite being the third oldest, I'd stick with biking. Alas I have a family that requires a driver. That happens to be me.

Reasons for a low powered scooter explained. The issue is that my route to work is a national speed limit road of about five miles. My scooter does about 40 on a completely level elevation, 35 up a steep hill, and about 44 downhill with the wind behind me and on a dry surface In the CBT we are taught not to ride in the gutter (rightly so). However, I do not feel comfortable holding traffic up at 40 on a 60 road. So what I do is signal for the cars behind me to overtake, indicate left, slow down to about 15 and go close to the gutter but not to the point of being on the edge of it, or in it.

This maneouvure seems to be appreciated by everyone. Haven't had someone say thank you when I've done that. Am I completely wrong for doing this? I can't seem to find much at all about it in the highway code.

[LiquidGnome]

Don't slow down, just move over a bit if you feel comfortable. Does this road have double whites? If not, you really shouldn't have to do much.

[battered]

As above, hold your speed and line, take possession of your bit of the road. If they want to pass, they will pass. If you get to the stage where half the county is behind you, or if there are solid white lines stopping people from passing, then if it's safe to pull in then do so. However this shouldn't be a matter of routine.

[cat with a hat]

I remember when I had a 50cc scooter pain in the ass tryig to keep up with traffic on some roads.

As the others have said i wouldnt slow down.. Depending on the road, you could pull into a lay by every so often to let others pass?

[V8forweekends]

Dude there's a bloke who does a bit of the same commute* as me - I see him on his moped going uphill in a NSL - he's lucky to crack 30 - I am quite happy for him to "hold me up" as I usually past in no time.

Of course, I don't drive an M Reg 405 Estate....

I'd say keep position, most people will be fine, but if passed too close don't chase after the offender and put the video on youtube

I did CBT a few weeks ago BTW

[ShaunTheSheep]

Maximum points for thoughtful road use.

My only concern is that you don't compromise your safety but if someone has the awareness you're demonstrating then I can't see you wouldn't also make the right choices about when not to make passing easier.

[srob]

Hold your line mate and don't ride 'in the gutter'. You're not choosing to ride that slow so nobody will get the hump with you and if they do, bks to them as all the proper men have done their time on 'peds and know how you feel

I ended up knocking myself out letting someone hassle me - I hit a bit of Tarmac that had broken up in a storm and as a car was trying to squeeze past when another was coming the other way I had no choice but to hit it, came off and knocked myself out. Since then I've never let anyone bully me into the gutter, even on the old knackers I ride now I hold my own piece of road and let people sort themselves out.

[PHlL]

I have never had to use a moped so do not have the experience of holding cars up which I can appreciate must be horrible especially if they are tailgating you. Although my mum just has a 125cc bike as will never do her test. On the odd occasion I go out with her I sit near the white line just behind her and people rarely tailgate if her bike struggles for speed. I think it must be if people see L plates.

I wouldn't have thought slowing down helps as it just causes longer queues behind and other drivers get more tireless and impatient. Are there no back roads you could always take so it's less of an issue?

[Renn Sport]

I think you need a sneaky big bore kit. 80cc or something more outrageous if you dare. lol

[Spanna]

My old Aerox would show 50 on a flat and over 60 down a big hill although it was probably overreading by a huge margin.

Stick to your riding line and let others worry about when they will perform their over take, just be aware when they do. You already know how to make it easier and are aware of them, so keep that up.

[smithyithy]

Spanna said:

My old Aerox would show 50 on a flat and over 60 down a big hill although it was probably overreading by a huge margin.

Stick to your riding line and let others worry about when they will perform their over take, just be aware when they do. You already know how to make it easier and are aware of them, so keep that up.

I kinda miss the old scooter days. As council as it sounds, and as much I love my Daytona - it was so much fun riding around on 'tuned up' mopeds with about 10 mates in the summer.

I had a Peugeot Speedfight, it was crashed and I spent hundreds on it, bought loads of parts from Germany like full custom panels, Polini 70cc kit, bigger carb, exhaust etc. It ran off the clock which was about 70mph, so probably 60mph real speed.

Sounds daft looking back now.

Although my friend had a Gilera Runner 125cc, which we stripped the rebuilt the engine of with a Malossi 172cc kit, PM Tuning spiral exhaust, huge carb, the works. The cylinder was rated at about 26bhp - in something that light with one 'gear' - it was bloody quick, easily lifted the front wheel from standing. I'd have one now to be fair.

[strudel]

https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/overt...

168 and 169 are the ones you're interested in. I personally would just hold station, you're more predictable and if they can't overtake a scooter at 40 then it's not your issue.

Perhaps also worth looking at the road ahead and deciding if you'd overtake or not after every bend - if they do and you wouldn't have at least you're prepared to take some avoiding action before it's too late.