Passing Cyclists

Scania · 30 May 2010 at 20:17

Robbie G said:
Sorry...what exactly was your point?

Just a rant.

SlyReaper · 30 May 2010 at 20:24

Robbie G said:
Cry me a river. People that can't stand being overtaken by things able to move more efficiently than them through the road system, need psychotherapy.

You have to admit it's a pain in the arse though. You have to expend effort to overtake a cyclist, and then when he passes you and you have to overtake him again, it's annoying. Without condoning, I can understand drivers getting angry about it.

rypt · 30 May 2010 at 20:27

SlyReaper said:
You have to admit it's a pain in the arse though. You have to expend effort to overtake a cyclist, and then when he passes you and you have to overtake him again, it's annoying. Without condoning, I can understand drivers getting angry about it.

Don't like being overtaken by cyclists? Then sit as far left as possible provided the cycle lane is NOT solid white line (which most aren't)

Cyclist can't overtake you on the left now, and if he wants to get by he has to do it the real way via the right hand side

SlyReaper · 30 May 2010 at 20:29

rypt said:
Don't like being overtaken by cyclists? Then sit as far left as possible provided the cycle lane is NOT solid white line (which most aren't)

Cyclist can't overtake you on the left now, and if he wants to get by he has to do it the real way via the right hand side

I used to do that and I regret it. It's a dick move.

Lethal` · 30 May 2010 at 20:33

EvilDreams said:
Rightly so, it's a pain overtaking a cyclist, then getting to a junction/roundabout only to have the cyclist overtake you, (and possibly even run a red light), then 20 seconds later you have to overtake the same cyclist again. Then you come up to another junction, etc. etc.

Tried planning ahead?
e.g.
Cyclist in front
Traffic light turning to red coming up
I don't need to overtake the cyclist, just travel a bit slower

Simple. Of course it doesn't work in all situations, but too many drivers think "Cyclist! Quick, MUST overtake".

Scort · 30 May 2010 at 21:38

I was always taught, and isn’t it in the Highway Code (???) to give them at least half a car’s width when passing.

I saw something bloody annoying today – riding about in Wales I was heading down towards Tintern Abbey, following behind two cars, and we all caught up with a group of about 12 cyclists – now, rather than ride in a single file, or at least move into that formation to allow traffic past, these Tour De France wannabes took the entire width of the lane up so no one could pass them!

I normally don’t have an issue with cyclists, but this was just plain arrogant I thought – they held traffic at a 10-20 mph pace just because they wouldn’t move over, and it took several miles before a safe passing opportunity opened up for me – I left the poor car drivers to suffer

Participant · 30 May 2010 at 21:40

SlyReaper said:
You have to admit it's a pain in the arse though. You have to expend effort to overtake a cyclist, and then when he passes you and you have to overtake him again, it's annoying. Without condoning, I can understand drivers getting angry about it.

Honestly, the only thing I think when I pass a cyclist then he under / overtakes me (as long as he does it safely) is: fair play, if I was on two wheels I'd be passing people also.

Note - I overtake in the normal fashion i.e. on the right whenever possible / safe.

Draeger · 30 May 2010 at 21:42

Possibly a chain gang.

Gerard · 30 May 2010 at 22:35

I generally pass cyclists with a long brush pole stuck out the nearside window.