Do you overtake/filter over double white lines?

[Biker9090]

I'm specifically thinking about slow moving traffic (20mph ish) or a stationary queue.

Saw some horrendous riding today from a bunch of Charlie Boremans all blindly following each other which resulted in a near pile up at a junction as the road was too narrow.

I know what the highway code says but I'm curious as to other riders.

[Fastdruid]

Short answer is no.

Longer answer is, yes'ish, maybe, sometimes.

I will overtake stationary and *very* slow moving traffic. As in crawling, *not* anywhere near as fast as 20mph.

I have frequently overtaken *within* the lane where there are double whites (ie not crossing the double whites) but even though it's *massively* frustrating the number of places that have double whites where you can easily overtake on a bike, I don't. I do see a lot of riders who do though.

[vonhosen]

No, I don't cross or straddle them.

[JulianHJ]

I won't cross them, but I do sometimes filter within the lane if the traffic is stationary and it's safe to do so.

[Triaguar]

There are quite a number of roads where one can overtake safely and stay on the correct side of the double white lines. However perhaps the fact that there are white lines indicates an area of particular danger. So like every other overtake it depends on the oartivular circumstances

[Axionknight]

I'll filter on the other side of them if the traffic is slow moving and the visibility is good, but I won't overtake on them whilst out on the open road

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

Perfectly legal if overtaking something doing <15mph. However as the lines are there for a reason so you have to be extra vigilant

[vonhosen]

Marquezs Stabilisers said:

Perfectly legal if overtaking something doing <15mph. However as the lines are there for a reason so you have to be extra vigilant

That's incorrect.

You can only legally cross or straddle the solid line to pass a very limited number of moving things travelling at <10mph.
Such as pedal cycles, equestrians & road maintenance vehicle (displaying a keep right sign to the rear).

[DirtyHarley]

Really depends on the situation, but generally no since it's often not worth the hassle.

On my commute I go on this bit of road:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4723286,-0.01242...

Going down the hill I will almost always straddle the white lines as it is generally safer and easier than getting into the very short bus lane that pinches at the bottom. Going up hill I'll generally filter between lanes of traffic rather than straddle the line (although I do see a lot of folks straddle the line I'm generally quicker up the hill by filtering).

Other than that I don't really encounter many double whites on my regularly routes and those that I do encounter on the country roads near home are generally there for very good reasons.

[SteveKTMer]

Marquezs Stabilisers said:

However as the lines are there for a reason so you have to be extra vigilant

They used to be when the police determined where they were used. Now councils can choose where they are used which is why you now see long sections of road with double lines where it’s clearly not necessary.

[Tribal Chestnut]

If safe and appropriate, then I’d struggle to criticise anyone for doing so.

[Tommo87]

Only when the traffic is stationary and only then when absolutely nothing is coming the other way.

I’m surprised that the question is being asked, to be honest.

[Dr Jekyll]

Tommo87 said:

Only when the traffic is stationary and only then when absolutely nothing is coming the other way.

I’m surprised that the question is being asked, to be honest.

+1

[trickywoo]

I see plenty where it would be perfectly safe for a bike to overtake but it’s a high risk game with all the dash cams around.

[Triaguar]

Let's just get the legal position clear...as we have done on numerous occasions on this site... before we discuss whether to overtake or not. The capitals are the authors not mine.

Highway Code Rule 129
Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.

Laws
Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 36
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002: Regulations 10 & 26

[bogie]

Varely rarely have need to cross them, I dont commute by bike any more and generally stay away from cities/towns. I do filter in lane in a number of places on busier routes and traffic usually moves across to allow bikes to do so.

You are riding the best overtaking machine on the planet, theres no need to break multiple traffic laws to make progress

[CoreyDog]

Situation dependant.

If it’s stationary traffic and I have a gap to get back into if the situation changes, yes, I’ll filter over a solid line. Group of us did it coming out of Matlock Bath heading towards Matlock couple of weekends ago, I did second guess myself when we filtered past a marked Police car but they didn’t seem to care.

[Zarco]

Very rarely. Say if someone is driving their car at 36mph in NSL and braking for every oncoming car.

[airsafari87]

Yes.

[HyperFelony]

Generally speaking, no. Even if it's safe to do so. It gets peoples' backs up, dashcams way too prevalent these days, and BiB take a rather dim view (not that you see many about).

But also this...

Zarco said:

Very rarely. Say if someone is driving their car at 36mph in NSL and braking for every oncoming car.

I treat it as a last resort and considered option, rather than something I routinely do without a second thought.