Riding in the middle of the lane?

[blazed]

I dont do this riding because when driving i know how annoying it is being stuck behind a cyclist in the middle of the lane. But i was watching a few of a members youtube videos who always seems to be in the middle of the lane having arguments with drivers made me wonder whether riding in the middle is the norm?

 

[Theseus]

Better than riding in the gutter and getting pushed out the way. You have as much right as anyone else to use the road.

 

[purplepolly]

it's OTT to do it all the time but there are a lot of scenarios where many people feel safer in the middle of the lane or it's not possible to ride closer in

- it helps prevent drivers turing left through you while you're going straight on
- it makes you more visible to drivers waiting at left hand side roads who might pull out into you

These first two are statistically the two main dangers to cyclists on the roads


Other reasons are:-
- the edges of the road tend to be more potholed and slippery
- it helps prevent overtaking at traffic islands where there's not enough room
- it helps prevent overtaking at places where there isn't enough visibility such as when you're going up a railway bridge

 

[Sam Kennedy]

I don't often ride on the road, but when I do it is normally in the middle, for a few reasons:

If there is little or no traffic, people are more tempted to speed, or be more careless, so being in the middle of the lane makes sure they will see me.

If it's unsafe to be overtaken (such as taking a turn off, or going past parked cars).

If I'm going around a blind corner where there isn't much traffic, it will let the drivers see me earlier than if I was further left.

Don't take these are concrete rules, its just what I do. If I have said something incorrect, can someone correct me? I don't want to endanger myself and others.

 

[upandover]

I tend to ride in the middle when i don't like being pushed to one side in a particular bit, or when I feel it's too dangerous to pass. I often wave before and after as a thanks, and it's surprising how often the drivers wave back as they go past.

Using it wisely, most drivers seem to understand it. I see a lot of cyclists getting passed so close,and almost run off the road, because they don't seem to take the lane when they need to...

Steve

 

[summerdays]

If you are going at the same speed as the traffic you aren't holding them up (other than the 6 ft you are occupying in your bike). For me that's only when going down big hills and when the traffic is jamming up that I'm at their speed. One common place that I'm in the centre of the lane (primary) is at a traffic light whether at the front or in the queue.

But that's not to say that I wouldn't hold them up if necessary for my safety for example going through a pinch point. There was one on the main road near me and after loads of complaints from cyclists they removed it. After I have passed the hazard I would move back to a secondary position nearer the kerb.

 

[Paul_L]

There is a time and place for taking an assertive position in the road, such as most of those listed above. It's not about car versus bike, it's about being confident and assertive about your position and safety.

I alway occupy the middle of the road when approaching roundabouts, or when there are traffic islands / refuges or dodgy Tee junctions ahead. When i'm at the front of a queue of traffic at traffic lights i again always position myself in the middle so i can control the traffic until i get shoes cleated in and am fully under control.

As upandover says i always wave thanks as i move back to the left of the road. This usually diffuses any tensions the car drivers have about being held up, albeit briefly.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Taking the Primary position is done for your own safety, not to p*ss off drivers... but if that happens then there's nothing much you can do about it as presumably the driver is too self obsessed to even consider that there may be a reason for you being there (pinch point, stop a left hook etc.).

Even taking this position is no defense against some drivers though, but gives you some room to escape should the need arise.

 

[marinyork]

Mini roundabouts are a classic for motorists to misbehave. There's not really a lot you can do to stop behaviour as the whole point of them is not to have dividers before the roundabout or a solid centre - so drivers riding over that/driving the wrong way round a roundabout/overtaking cyclists even though they are told not to in the HC is routine. It's why I never liked the things.

 

[Garz]

It's definately a confidence and safety point of view.

 

[BarryP]

I've been riding vintage scooters for years (Lambrettas) and am often annoyed by the lack of space given to me by motorists when they are overtaking. You learn to be aware and your road sense and spacial awareness develops over time/experience....however.....having got back on my bike for the first time in 20 years last week, I have been gobsmacked at the tiny amount of space and complete lack of consideration given by motorists. Had my first shout at someone this morning!

 

[wafflycat]

For anyone cycling on roads for either the first time, or coming back to it after years away, I would highly recommend they, at the very least, get a hold of and read a copy of Cyclecraft or preferrably get some up-to-date cycle training as there are new national standards. It's a bit different to the old Cycling Proficiency Test with the emphasis on confident, safe and assertive cycling and Cyclecraft is the book used in conjunction with the new standards.

 

[magnatom]

Read my FAQ to get some perspective on my cycling and, I feel, the cycling of a good few others.

 

[blazed]

Read my FAQ to get some perspective on my cycling and, I feel, the cycling of a good few others.

In this video
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1C-0QPofC0&feature=channel_page
what exactly did the motorist do wrong? You mention the "must overtake mentality" but you yourself are overtaking a cyclist, does it not apply to you as well? You seem to be on a flat for sometime travelling fairly slow in the middle of the lane, is it any wonder people get pissed off or is that the whole, more angry drivers = more youtube views.

 

[Garz]

I watched it twice blazed and although you cannot get a complete perspective from multiple angles the cyclist didn't really do anything wrong. Cant see behind him or any physical manoeuvre signals from the helmet cam but there was nothing wrong overtaking the other cyclist. Certainly no need for the motorist to honk his horn though!