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Discussion
I'm sure he needs a reply - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
I was quite surprised at the number of bikers who said the overtaking biker should ride in the middle of their carriageway...I don't agree with this at all. You should always ride in the 'tracks' left by cars, be it on the inside or outside of the lane. The reason for this is that any debris in the road will almost always be shifted to the verge, or the middle of the carriageway by passing vehicles. The list of debris I've narrowly avoided in the centre of the carriageway includes bricks, dead animals, bits of wood, spilt diesel, a LADDER!, fallen road signs and a toilet seat.
The tracks left by vehicles are by far the safest part of the road to ride on.
I was also surprised that no one mentioned the fact that the buffeting from tall vehicles can be annoying when you're on a bike, and we'll often overtake just to get into 'clean' airflow, not necessarily to go faster (although I would never overtake, and then slow down like the OP was inferring)
I would have added this to the thread, but it's turned into a bit of a b
h'fest.
The tracks left by vehicles are by far the safest part of the road to ride on.
I was also surprised that no one mentioned the fact that the buffeting from tall vehicles can be annoying when you're on a bike, and we'll often overtake just to get into 'clean' airflow, not necessarily to go faster (although I would never overtake, and then slow down like the OP was inferring)
I would have added this to the thread, but it's turned into a bit of a b
h'fest.Hyperion said:
I was quite surprised at the number of bikers who said the overtaking biker should ride in the middle of their carriageway...I don't agree with this at all. You should always ride in the 'tracks' left by cars, be it on the inside or outside of the lane. The reason for this is that any debris in the road will almost always be shifted to the verge, or the middle of the carriageway by passing vehicles. The list of debris I've narrowly avoided in the centre of the carriageway includes bricks, dead animals, bits of wood, spilt diesel, a LADDER!, fallen road signs and a toilet seat.
Which is the same reason why I never overtake on hashed chevrons (ghost islands).Ps. You missed off the ubiquitous red PVC glove.
Hyperion said:
I was quite surprised at the number of bikers who said the overtaking biker should ride in the middle of their carriageway...I don't agree with this at all. You should always ride in the 'tracks' left by cars, be it on the inside or outside of the lane. The reason for this is that any debris in the road will almost always be shifted to the verge, or the middle of the carriageway by passing vehicles. The list of debris I've narrowly avoided in the centre of the carriageway includes bricks, dead animals, bits of wood, spilt diesel, a LADDER!, fallen road signs and a toilet seat.
The tracks left by vehicles are by far the safest part of the road to ride on.
While I understand your logic, I’m not sure I totally agree. You should position yourself in the part of the that gives you the best visibility (both forward and behind.) If the vehicle in front is large and tall then this may require that you ride at the limits of your lane. Even if you have good forward visibility you may still want to ride near the limits of your lane if there is a risk that traffic may suddenly emerge from either side. (This gives you maximum warning of the emerging traffic and the greatest margin for evasive manoeuvres should it happen). Likewise, spilt diesel (or any other liquid) is more likely to ‘pool’ in the ruts left by heavy lorries, especially in the wheel track on the outside of a bend.The tracks left by vehicles are by far the safest part of the road to ride on.
FourWheelDrift said:
Which is the same reason why I never overtake on hashed chevrons (ghost islands).
Ps. You missed off the ubiquitous red PVC glove.
That's something I hadn't really given much thought. I know I see lots of broken glass and the like in the hashed areas around junctions here in London, so try to avoid that, but elsewhere I had been using these as overtaking lanes perhaps a bit too much given the hazardous debris which is probably camouflaged by the markings.Ps. You missed off the ubiquitous red PVC glove.
As for following tracks rather than the absolute middle of the lane, on less major roads, especially in more rural areas, there's often a build-up of crud like gravel and dust in the less used parts of the tarmac, including the middle. I got quite a scare when I found some less than grippy patches on my way home from a ride on Saturday.
Be where your safest at all times. Be that from taking account of debris, traffic, junctions, light/shade, damp, puddles, paint, manhole covers, etc, etc. Yes, you may get a nail in your tyre from ghost islands, or hugging a verge/ lane edge but better a slow flat than you flat.
My tuppence.
Oh, yeah, and i friggin hate being behind transits.
My tuppence.
Oh, yeah, and i friggin hate being behind transits.
kiwi_uk said:
Always remember if you're riding for visability that safety comes first. Don't conprimise your safety for visability.
Absolutely!Visibility is the tool, safety is the outcome. You use visibility to obtain as much information as possible to inform your decisions relating to safety.
black-k1 said:
Hyperion said:
I was quite surprised at the number of bikers who said the overtaking biker should ride in the middle of their carriageway...I don't agree with this at all. You should always ride in the 'tracks' left by cars, be it on the inside or outside of the lane. The reason for this is that any debris in the road will almost always be shifted to the verge, or the middle of the carriageway by passing vehicles. The list of debris I've narrowly avoided in the centre of the carriageway includes bricks, dead animals, bits of wood, spilt diesel, a LADDER!, fallen road signs and a toilet seat.
The tracks left by vehicles are by far the safest part of the road to ride on.
While I understand your logic, I’m not sure I totally agree. You should position yourself in the part of the that gives you the best visibility (both forward and behind.) If the vehicle in front is large and tall then this may require that you ride at the limits of your lane. Even if you have good forward visibility you may still want to ride near the limits of your lane if there is a risk that traffic may suddenly emerge from either side. (This gives you maximum warning of the emerging traffic and the greatest margin for evasive manoeuvres should it happen). Likewise, spilt diesel (or any other liquid) is more likely to ‘pool’ in the ruts left by heavy lorries, especially in the wheel track on the outside of a bend.The tracks left by vehicles are by far the safest part of the road to ride on.
On a motorway on the other hand, if I'm in the outside lane, I'll position myself in line with the vehicle in front's nearside mirror. This way, especially if it's busy (as it nearly always is when I commute) if the traffic suddenly start braking I have a good 'escape' lane passed the car in front. Plus it gives a good view ahead. On the other lanes however, it's the same as being on a single carriagway...i.e, positioned to the offside.
In each example, I'm on the verge of the tracks left by other vehicles. But riding along in the unused centre section is a definite no-no.
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