Doubling Up On Road

[Fab Foodie]

Bugger, I'm in trouble

 

[pepecat]

If it's a blind bend, or coming up to the brow of a hill, which are both dangerous overtakes anyway and shouldn't be done by drivers regardless of whether cyclists are in front of them or not, why can't a cyclist ride in primary to make sure a dangerous over take isn't done?

I have seen drivers overtake (other cars) on blind bends AND coming up to brows of hills and have cringed watching them, expecting to see an accident in front of my eyes. If a car tries a dangerous overtake, finds it's not going to work, and pulls back in, the potential is they could hit the very cyclist(s) they're trying to overtake. What's the problem with the cyclist preventing the move in the first place?

 

[rowan 46]

If it's a blind bend, or coming up to the brow of a hill, which are both dangerous overtakes anyway and shouldn't be done by drivers regardless of whether cyclists are in front of them or not, why can't a cyclist ride in primary to make sure a dangerous over take isn't done?

I have seen drivers overtake (other cars) on blind bends AND coming up to brows of hills and have cringed watching them, expecting to see an accident in front of my eyes. If a car tries a dangerous overtake, finds it's not going to work, and pulls back in, the potential is they could hit the very cyclist(s) they're trying to overtake. What's the problem with the cyclist preventing the move in the first place?

As far as I understand none at all. That's the purpose of primary position to get you noticed and forestall dangerous moves by other road users. Like Mr Paul I find I get less hassle from drivers if I ride assertively and for courtesy's sake wave a thankyou as I pull back into secondary to let them pass. 9/10 drivers usually aknowledge which leads me to assume they understand what I have done and don't mind.

 

[col]

[QUOTE 1588820"]
No trick. I just can't answer your question unless I understand what you're saying. You were suggesting the above earlier, in which case I think there's learning room for you. Then you seemed to change your tune a bit, which threw me.

Do you not realise that you yourself stop, block and "effect" other vehicles every time you ride on the road? As you are entitled to, and as you should.

The confusing bit is that what you do think (reading between the lines) isn't as black and white as your statement above, which you also made a few nights ago.


[/quote]

Mmmm I see your point, but it isnt really difficult to see my point. I always make myself aware of whats on the road, that also means whats behind me.(Im sure most do) And this is where I think you and others might dissagree, if im approaching a danger spot for example pinch/ blind brow or bend, the list goes on, and Im aware of vehicles approaching quickly from behind, Ill hang back and let them go if there isnt enough time for me to clear that danger point before the vehicles reach me. I would rather do this than annoy or get a close pass on purpose from an impatient motorist, or even a possible accident as they try to pass when oncoming traffic could appear. Yes I know what your going to say, they shouldnt be overtaking if its risky, well they do and always will. Thats the reality, so Ill avoid this and dont mind my journey being lengthened by a couple of minutes because of this. There are loads of instances which would make me give way, hang back, move over for similar reasons, but I think you get the gist. You seem to think I need more training because Im carefull and dont mind giving to motorists, I dont agree with that, but then you knew I wouldnt didnt you.
If I was to hold my line , or position , and even block approaching vehicles from passing me when I think it might be dangerous , then I believe I would put myself and others at more risk, because an angry/ annoyed/ impatient driver can be more erratic and dangerous, as they try to squeeze passed this cyclist who seems to be acting awkwardly, as most motorists dont see things in the same way as you.

 

[freecyclist]

You are still completely missing the point. Close passes are a byproduct of the staying out of the way mentality. Asserting our right legitimately to use the road is the answer. As however you have stated that bothering to read the HC is not for you it is not surprising that you are ignorant of best road behaviour.

I agree passes closer than designated by the highway code may be a product of the considerate staying out of the way mentality.I dont expect cars to overtake completely in the opposite lane , a meter or 2 is fine with me.
Asserting our right legitimately to deliberately stop cars overtaking to enforce cyclists right to a highway code pass is what angers motorists and can lead to intimidation and far worse danger to cyclists than being considerate.
If you need a little book to tell you best road behaviour then that says it all about you r2d2.

 

[freecyclist]

99% of the people on this thread have said they would move over so I don't know where you got this idea from exactly.

The Top Gear forum is over there >>>>>>>

Todaloo
X

Are you saying 99% of people agree with me then ?
Are you saying 99% of people would ride single file in secondary where safe to do so if it facilitated cars overtaking ?
Cos all im hearing from 99% is; the highway code says it ok, cyclists rights , its legal so therefore its ok, "the general rule is two abreast", no concessions to motorists et al.
Most wont even give a straight answer - like i asked you before and you came out with a list of variables -
are there leaves on the road
is it uphill or downhill
What color lipstick am i wearing.
Irrespective of other variables is your inclination , where safe , to ride single file in secondary if it allows cars to overtake ?
Considerate cyclist answers - yes of course.
Inconsiderate cyclist answers - no cyclists rights , no concessions et al or more likely prevaricates and wont give a straight answer.

 

[freecyclist]

As far as I understand none at all. That's the purpose of primary position to get you noticed and forestall dangerous moves by other road users. Like Mr Paul I find I get less hassle from drivers if I ride assertively and for courtesy's sake wave a thankyou as I pull back into secondary to let them pass. 9/10 drivers usually aknowledge which leads me to assume they understand what I have done and don't mind.

Noones disputing any of this.
What is in dispute is if "the general rule is two abreast".
My own opinion is that cyclists should ride single file whenever sodoing facilitates safe overtaking that would otherwise not be possible 2 abreast.
If you want a natter go and sit in the pub.

 

[Manonabike]

Are you allowed to ride side-by-side on roads?

Seen a lot of group cycling going on and they seem to ride in pairs. Which is annoying when you're in a car and are trying to overtake half a dozen pairs around blind bends etc (or sit behind them all the whole journey).

It's like overtaking a coach in length, but one with the stability of string, as every now and then one will dodge a pot whole and jut out without looking behind first etc.

Wondering what the correct way to go about this would be as I'll be cycling to work soon and a few people have the same route and I wouldn't mind a natter on the way to work but not if it's against the law (or unsafe).

Thanks for your help.

Am I wrong to think you don't actually like cyclists on the road?

I give cyclists same or more respect on the road than I give any motor vehicle and I don't find a bunch of cyclists annoying at all. What I do find annoying though is cyclists riding in the dark without lights. I nearly run over a stupid cyclist once, it was raining, dark and she was going like it was midday on a bright and sunny day on a busy road. Coming from the opposite direction and just as I'm turning into a road I see the cyclist at the very last second!!!! That annoyed it.

 

[Red Light]

Asserting our right legitimately to deliberately stop cars overtaking to enforce cyclists right to a highway code pass is what angers motorists and can lead to intimidation and far worse danger to cyclists than being considerate.

For someone that professes not to drive, you seem to be claiming an awful lot of knowledge about what its like to be driver and what drivers think.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Are you saying 99% of people agree with me then ?
Are you saying 99% of people would ride single file in secondary where safe to do so if it facilitated cars overtaking ?
Cos all im hearing from 99% is; the highway code says it ok, cyclists rights , its legal so therefore its ok, "the general rule is two abreast", no concessions to motorists et al.
Most wont even give a straight answer - like i asked you before and you came out with a list of variables -
are there leaves on the road
is it uphill or downhill
What color lipstick am i wearing.
Irrespective of other variables is your inclination , where safe , to ride single file in secondary if it allows cars to overtake ?
Considerate cyclist answers - yes of course.
Inconsiderate cyclist answers - no cyclists rights , no concessions et al or more likely prevaricates and wont give a straight answer.

A handful of people said they wouldn't move over, the rest said they would.

I gave a list of variables, then I gave an extremely detailed answer saying that yes I move over unless there is a safety risk in doing so, which you ignored and are still ignoring, which leads me to believe the only reason you are here is for a fight of some kind.

 

[snorri]

if im approaching a danger spot for example pinch/ blind brow or bend, the list goes on, and Im aware of vehicles approaching quickly from behind, Ill hang back and let them go if there isnt enough time for me to clear that danger point before the vehicles reach me. I would rather do this than annoy or get a close pass on purpose from an impatient motorist,

You must be causing great confusion to others by altering your speed at random, pulling in to the kerb for no apparent reason, giving way when you have priority.

It sounds as if being a little more assertive (NOT aggressive)would improve your progress on the road and help other road users to share the road with you in safety.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

I would judge it on those things.

If I am going slowly, then I will usually get out of the way, unless it poses a risk to me in any way.

If I am coming to the top of a steep hill, then I will pull over at the top.

If I am going at speed, especially downhill, then I wil gradually pull over, as to avoid skidding.

But if it's in the countryside, the vast majority of drivers hold back until there is more room than absolutely needed.

City driving, I will drive about a meter and a half from the kerb, so I have enough room on case of emergency.

BUT I live in London and 90%of my journey is in bus or cycle lanes, so of you live somewhere without these, I dunno.

You're welcome

 

[MissTillyFlop]

What color lipstick am i wearing.

I don't know, sweetie, what colour (FTFY) lipstick are you wearing?

 

[freecyclist]

You're welcome

I missed the above post you quote.
It seems that your inclination is to be considerate and pull over and allow others to pass you where safety considerations allow.
I am countering those who hold that the "the general rule is two abreast" with the justification that highway code says its ok, cyclists rights , its legal so therefore its ok, cyclists shouldnt make any concessions to motorists et al.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

I missed the above post you quote.
It seems that your inclination is to be considerate and pull over and allow others to pass you where safety considerations allow.
I am countering those who hold that the "the general rule is two abreast" with the justification that highway code says its ok, cyclists rights , its legal so therefore its ok, cyclists shouldnt make any concessions to motorists et al.

Everyone should make concessions to everyone on a road. It's a public highway, not a war.

I do ride side by side in the countryside, but generally, you only see a car every now and then, so just pull in as necessary and everyone is happy.