Cycling slowly on fast roads

[bungee]

Hi guys, had to jump in. I am a driving instructor and cyclist (albeit better at the former). The highway code does indeed permit overtaking of cyclists across double white lines, however I would always stress to pupils - when it is clear and safe to do so. I and other instructors will always teach the principle of "what if" and the onus is really on the driver to assume the worst and think - what if a car comes flying round the bend. Cyclists have as much right to be on our roads as anyone else and again that is something I always teach. Whenever it comes to passing a cyclist I also always say to people - treat him/her just the same as you would a car i.e. leave minimum 1 metre clearance when you pass and only do so when it is clear and safe.

In short it's not your fault the hill is steep but it is the driver's fault if they make a dangerous and irresponsible overtaking manoeuvre on a bend which is clearly marked as such.

 

[HLaB]

I posted this on youtube the other day, if somebody is going to be potentionally dangerous they will be so regardless of your positioning. I would stress that this was only 2 overtakes on the ride, the car that overtook in between was perfect and a lot of others were too.
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzdbyRFVwi8[/media]


A few nights previously on the perpendicular road I found folk very patient, including this bloke

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roVuPcwun1U[/media]

 

[Tasker]

Hi guys, had to jump in. I am a driving instructor and cyclist (albeit better at the former). The highway code does indeed permit overtaking of cyclists across double white lines,

Thanks for jumping in with that particular bit as well as the rest of your post. As a sometimes car driver I certainly didn't know that. Please do continue to teach your pupils thus, I for one have no wish to hold up traffic when gasping up a hill with no opportunity to pull off the road to let the backlog by.

 

[Alien8]

The highway code does indeed permit overtaking of cyclists across double white lines, however I would always stress to pupils - when it is clear and safe to do so.

Yes, when the cyclist is travelling at 10mph or less. Hence at above these speeds it doesn't matter how clear and safe it is a motorist shouldn't straddle or cross a solid white line when it's nearest to them. So when I've had learners do this when I've been doing 20+ I assume that their instructor wasn't very good or knowledgable.

 

[HLaB]

Double White - I am surprised you hold your line when been overtaken by a single vehicle; Like you I take a wide line however a couple of seconds before the pass I move well left thus guaranteeing I am left plenty of room.


A Big Thumbs Up - How long would you hold some one up before pulling over and allowing them to pass?

I'd tend to hold the line in a stuation like that until I see its clear and only move out of the way when I need too.

I wouldn't say there is a constant rule to how long, it depends on my speed/ terrain etc. I pulled over a wee bit at the start of that clip iirc, knowing it was twisty road but the driver never took the opportunity; I epected them to overtake on the straighter bit but the patient driver never did and gave me plenty of room, he must of fallen back about 20yards at that point