Passing stationary or slow moving traffic

[Mazzin]

I'm new to cycling and have after a few weeks hit the roads today for a 6 mile commute to Sheffield.

I wasn't sure how I should pass stationary or slow moving traffic on a single carriageway. Should I stay to the left to the left of vehicles and undertake or should I overtake by passing to the right?

If I pass on the left then at times I'm restricted as some cars are nearby to the kerb leaving me with little distance to pass. If I pass on right then, when the traffic suddenly starts moving again I find myself on the wrong side of the road.

One of the benefits of cycling is that I can pass much of the traffic so I don't really want to wait with the traffic

 

[Profpointy]

It's usually best up the outside as you can see cars coming and they can see you, as can the overtaken cars. You need to be on the ball to tuck in smartish and safely when they all move off.

if going up the inside. be very very wary of folks turning left - probably without looking as they don't expect you to be there. Also letting people out from side roads - who then don't look for bikes zooming up the inside. Passengers opening the door to hop out is less likely but not unheard of. And going up the inside of trucks and buses is also dodgy unless you are quite sure of what they're doing - still best avoided.

That said, we all do it but be very very careful up the inside

 

[vickster]

If you are new to cycling, suggest you get a copy of cyclecraft which will provide advice on how to deal. With many sorts of situation you may encounter. It may not all be relevant but it's a useful read all in all

Filtering is best done at a slow speed, but you'll still be quicker than the traffic. Be aware of folks pulling out through gaps turning right who won't see you possibly and also traffic coming the other way!

 

[Archie_tect]

Just make sure you are riding slow enough to stop if/ when you have to... I watched a cyclist tear down the centre past a line of standing traffic straight into the path of an emerging car turning right out of a supermarket side turn- luckily the emerging car was suitably cautious- unlike the cyclist.

 

[Markymark]

Passing on the left is probably the more dangerous but each junction is different.

Cars don't expect you to pass on the left and can turn left suddenly (without indicating) over you. This can (and does) cause serious injury. If I were to pass on the left, I'd only do it if there's plenty of space and the TRAFFIC IS STATIONARY AND NOT LIKELY TO START MOVING SOON. I usually find it safer to filter on the right and get prepared to move across when the lights change.

Try not to have a MGIF (Must Get In Front) mentality, sometimes its best to stay at the back, I often move forward to make sure I make the lights but not at the front, then wait in between the cars a few cars back.

If the traffic is flowing, either move with them or filter on the right if you can. Watch out for junction as cars may still turn right across you.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I pass to the right and try and get a reasonable speed (not too fast) so I don't get trapped in the overtaking position - you need to anticipate or spot when the traffic ahead might start to move. You may need to tuck in when safer, rather than risk getting isolated in the middle.

I find drivers are generally quite considerate to overtaking cyclists and back off if you are caught out.

 

[vickster]

In heavy traffic I wouldn't filter at more than 10mph myself. Watch out for eejits on motorbikes filtering on the other side of the road, many don't give a stuff about cyclists doing the same, in the other direction (or even the same), most are impatient whatsits around here

 

[HLaB]

Passing on the right is my prefered option and I can usually out accelerate cars in a jam and slot in, very rarely do I get the driver who won't let me slot in and then the driver one or two back lets me.
Passing on the left as said opens you up to left hooks or passengers suddenly deciding they've had enough and getting out of stationary cars.

 

[Sods_Laur]

Pass on the right but be very cautious when passing junctions on the left. Cars may pull out thinking the oncoming traffic is stationary. As I discovered in March, one separated shoulder and a wrecked bike later.

 

[Dogtrousers]

as well as passengers hopping out of cars, be aware that a bus driver, stuck a short distance from a stop may open his doors to let people off. As I found out, fortunately going slow enough to stop.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

As many have said always on the right, too many dangers on the left, once you know your roads, you can better plan overtaking slowing as precaution for upcoming junctions.

 

[summerdays]

Left/right/not at all, I make the choice depending on what's in front of me. Sometimes I switch between the two depending on where the space is, but generally low speed, being particularly careful at junctions, and passing large vehicles, even if they are stationary in a large queue, they will block you from being seen. Also watch out for those who are sick of sitting in a queue and decide to do a U-turn.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Also right where possible here. I have a few bits of my regular commute where I have traffic and no left turns or reasons for people to hop out so may go left, but I do it with serious caution, you have far fewer escape options trapped between car and kerb. I need to be really, really positive it'll stay put before I overtake anything bigger than a van on the left.

When on the right, the thing for me is differential speed between me and the traffic, I want to be making progress past the cars, but not zooming past so as to surprise them. Be aware for motorbikes doing the same too. Keep in a good gear for acceleration and look a good distance ahead to anticipate the traffic, don't be afraid to come in to a good gap early rather than pushing for things to move.

Finally, be particularly careful around any vehicle you can't see through (vans, lorries, etc) anything could be about to appear from in front of them.

 

[HLaB]

Pass on the right but be very cautious when passing junctions on the left. Cars may pull out thinking the oncoming traffic is stationary. As I discovered in March, one separated shoulder and a wrecked bike later.

Ouch, I hope you've fully healed now. I've saw a few times muppet losing patience with a queue and sunddenly pulling out an U'Turning, 'the roads been clear for the last 5 mins I've sat here, so it must still be clear'!

 

[Sods_Laur]

Ouch, I hope you've fully healed now. I've saw a few times muppet losing patience with a queue and sunddenly pulling out an U'Turning, 'the roads been clear for the last 5 mins I've sat here, so it must still be clear'!

I'm getting there. I'm a bit limited in what i'm allowed to do for the time being though, apart from my physio exercises, so it's all a bit boring.