Who's in the wrong?

[craven2354]

Yesterday I was cycling down a main road into Manchester centre a learner hgv driver had overtaken me about 500 yards before and then we stopped at lights (I waited behind the lorry) then set off I was in a cycling lane and the hgv was going around 20 mph but I was going about 25mph as I was in a cycling lane I decided to undertake? Him just as I got past him he sounded his horn a few times and shouted some abuse was I in the wrong even tho I was in a cycle lane ?

 

[Theseus]

Yes

1. He is a learner driver ... give him room to make mistakes.

2. Never, ever, EVER pass on the inside of an HGV.

 

[craven2354]

Yes

Explain?

 

[dhd.evans]

Mmm, I've had a similar problem before.

 

[craven2354]

Mmm, I've had a similar problem before.

What did you do?

 

[rich p]

Irrespective of right and wrong it's sheer lunacy to undertake an HGV.

 

[dan_bo]

Dude, for a start, punctuation is your friend. Breathe.

Secondly, HGV drivers, even learners, are people too. Give 'em space and, with a bit of luck, they'll give you space back.

Thirdly, DON'T RIDE UP THE INSIDE OF A HGV. YOU WILL DIE BY YOUR ACTIONS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

 

[LosingFocus]

I would think* that what you did was technically fine and legal; but wrong in the sense that as he was a learner of a HUGE lorry you should give him a massive space for errors and the usual learner mistakes. He was also wrong for sounding his horn in anger, the only time a horn should be used it to alert someone to a danger or hazard.

*Im not 100% sure.

 

[craven2354]

Guess I wont be doing it again I was sh*ting myself undertaking him but was just going to fast and wasn't in the mood to follow him for 5 miles at 20mph

 

[ianrauk]

Agree with the others. Never undertake a HGV however slow they are going. What is more important? Getting to your destination 2 minutes earlier or your life?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

i think losingfocus is spot on. self preservation is far more important than being technically in the right…

 

[potsy]

If he was holding you up that much why didn't you go around him?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

indeed, there's nowhere in the highway code that says to undertake, even for cyclists.

 

[craven2354]

I have never overtaken a car and found it to be a scary prospect now I have seen your guys input I believe it was a stupid thing to do thanks for the input

 

[Svendo]

Unless the cycle lane is mandatory ( but even if it is don't rely on it) the HGV is perfectly entitled to use it if needed, and HGV drivers have HUGE blind spots all around their vehicles, even with the latest mirrors.
So you run the very real risk of being squashed as others have said even if the drivers observations are fine when he needs to use the space you're in. Also applies to buses, although their blind spots aren't so bad as the driver is lower.

[personally I might filter past an HGV on the inside if I can see stationary traffic far enough ahead to know I'll get past before he can move, and ideally not against a railing so there's an escape route, but don't tell anyone, don't want to detract from the main safety message]