Got told off by a fellow cyclist (although he was in a car!)

[Mushroomgodmat]

Here's a question....When cars are stationary (waiting at lights say) and I'm in the left lane, is it right or correct to make my way down the traffic on the left?I used to overtake cars on the left, but figured quite quickly (when I was driving and a cyclist did it to me) that's it's probably not the best idea. But saying that. Sometimes cars are moving so slow that's it's hard not to ( as long as there's space of course)

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Here's a question....When cars are stationary (waiting at lights say) and I'm in the left lane, is it right or correct to make my way down the traffic on the left?I used to overtake cars on the left, but figured quite quickly (when I was driving and a cyclist did it to me) that's it's probably not the best idea. But saying that. Sometimes cars are moving so slow that's it's hard not to ( as long as there's space of course)

It's OK to filter past queueing traffic on the left. For example, HC code rule 163 says of this: "If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left". However, you have to take great care because people may not be expecting it.

 

[atbman]

He's completely correct.

Undertaking is bloody stupid and and an accident waiting to happen. Do yourself a favour, stop doing it!

That's odd, because I did it all my cycling life, safely. To keep safe while doing so requires exactly the same attention to what other road users are doing as is required while overtaking, e.g. does the car in front look as tho' he's about to turn left, even tho' he's not signalling; does it look like he's about to drop off a passenger; is there anything at all about his driving that makes you feel uneasy? Etc., etc.

Can I take it that you never filter between two lanes of traffic, on the grounds that you are undertaking the outside lane?

Cyclists not paying sufficient attention to the clues offered get clobbered whether they're over- or undertaking

 

[benb]

That's odd, because I did it all my cycling life, safely. To keep safe while doing so requires exactly the same attention to what other road users are doing as is required while overtaking, e.g. does the car in front look as tho' he's about to turn left, even tho' he's not signalling; does it look like he's about to drop off a passenger; is there anything at all about his driving that makes you feel uneasy? Etc., etc.

Can I take it that you never filter between two lanes of traffic, on the grounds that you are undertaking the outside lane?

Cyclists not paying sufficient attention to the clues offered get clobbered whether they're over- or undertaking

Sometimes that happens even if they are paying attention!

 

[jonny jeez]

Here's a question....When cars are stationary (waiting at lights say) and I'm in the left lane, is it right or correct to make my way down the traffic on the left?I used to overtake cars on the left, but figured quite quickly (when I was driving and a cyclist did it to me) that's it's probably not the best idea. But saying that. Sometimes cars are moving so slow that's it's hard not to ( as long as there's space of course)

I do it on occasion but feel that I have to be so vigilant that it take all the enjoyment out of the ride, you are constantly expecting someone to step from between the cars without checking left as they do (often running for the kerb to avoid holding up the cars!?).

When passing on the right the odds are in your favour as ped who steps out from between cars will come to a natural stop as they encounter the opposing lane...getting them to look right, once they have stepped past the cars, is a struggle though and will often require a good "woooah!" but in general people don’t "stride" out as easily on this side of the traffic.

That said I know a lot of riders who are intimidated by riding on the right as the opposing traffic can get close. For me the opposite is true because when there is no opposing traffic I have a vast escape lane to swerve into if something does pop out from between traffic. Also, if the opposing lane is clear...use it, get right over to avoid uturn cars and right hookers, just be careful not to go too far over so as to cause a surprise to cars entering the lane from junctions on the opposite side...they wont be checking left as they do