Nice close pass

[glasgowcyclist]

Or a very loose schedule if you can afford to sit behind cyclists for mile after mile waiting for the zero-risk overtaking opportunity.

I hear this "mile after mile" claim every so often, usually from impatient drivers who exaggerate the delay (if any) caused, but in all the miles I drive around the single carriageway roads outside Glasgow and all over the Highlands, I've never encountered such an obstruction. (And yes, I see plenty of club runs, group runs, on those roads.)

A driver's schedule doesn't override his responsibility to drive safely, especially around soft road users.

 

[Drago]

I'm not sure being stuck for a short spell behind a pack of roadies travelling at 25MPH is going to make any difference to journey times. Hell, for many motorists the only harm it may do is drop their average speed down to the posted limit for a change.

 

[KnackeredBike]

I hear this "mile after mile" claim every so often, usually from impatient drivers who exaggerate the delay (if any) caused, but in all the miles I drive around the single carriageway roads outside Glasgow and all over the Highlands, I've never encountered such an obstruction. (And yes, I see plenty of club runs, group runs, on those roads.)

A driver's schedule doesn't override his responsibility to drive safely, especially around soft road users.

Scotland is not representative of the south east. Whenever I have driven in Scotland there are so few other road users it feels like a scenic version of 28 Days Later.

 

[Markymark]

How often in a journey does it happen and for how long? I've been driving for many many years and there's an awful lot of club rides near me. I can't remember ever being delayed more than a few minutes. Nothing compared to the hours caused by too many motorists.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Scotland is not representative of the south east. Whenever I have driven in Scotland there are so few other road users it feels like a scenic version of 28 Days Later.

Keep going, we'll eventually get to a point where the circumstances you encounter are exclusive to you... then you'll have the answer.

 

[Profpointy]

Or a very loose schedule if you can afford to sit behind cyclists for mile after mile waiting for the zero-risk overtaking opportunity.

Just think about what you've said there. You seem to be suggesting that risky driving, specifically risk to others, is justifyable, or necessary even, if you're in a hurry.

My father in law was seriously injured in a head on collision by a moron doing risky overtakes. I have little time fir any attempt at justificatio

 

[KnackeredBike]

Just think about what you've said there. You seem to be suggesting that risky driving, specifically risk to others, is justifyable, or necessary even, if you're in a hurry.

My father in law was seriously injured in a head on collision by a moron doing risky overtakes. I have little time fir any attempt at justificatio

Overtaking anything is inherently more risky than not overtaking. It's easy for people on a cycling forum to say "I'd never overtake unless there was no bends, oncoming traffic or side turnings for the next kilometre" but in the real world you seldom/never get those conditions. And that includes cyclists overtaking/undertaking cars too.

 

[Drago]

Then don't overtake. No one is forcing them too.

 

[Profpointy]

Overtaking anything is inherently more risky than not overtaking. It's easy for people on a cycling forum to say "I'd never overtake unless there was no bends, oncoming traffic or side turnings for the next kilometre" but in the real world you seldom/never get those conditions. And that includes cyclists overtaking/undertaking cars too.

I would never deliberately overtake if I couldn't see the road clear for sufficient distance - and I'd certainly rule out anywhere where there's an offside junction; a risk factor many people ignore. This applies to overtaking bikes, cars tractors and includes when I'm on my 1000cc motorcycle even though it goes like a rocket. You really don't want to take chances overtaking. Sufficiently clear doesn't mean for the next kilometer but does need to be a reasonable distance clear of all hazard even on the motorbike. Anything else is grossly irresponsible.

Not to say I've never made a mistake but to claim taking a risk is OK is a bit shocking.

 

[KnackeredBike]

I will bow to public opinion but I think you are all crazy and/or must have a very understanding boss to accept "I'm late because I drove behind cyclists for five miles" as an excuse for being late.

 

[Drago]

Get out of bed two minutes earlier then.

 

[Profpointy]

I will bow to public opinion but I think you are all crazy and/or must have a very understanding boss to accept "I'm late because I drove behind cyclists for five miles" as an excuse for being late.

'kinell, how late will you be if you run em over. Or spend 3 months in hospital like my father in law due to someone else thinking risky overtakes are fine.

Seriously are you really saying risky overtaking is Ok? Really?

 

[Drago]

I can't see why the lives of vulnerable road users should be placed at risk in order for a car driver to be able to spend an extra few seconds in bed.

 

[KnackeredBike]

'Seriously are you really saying risky overtaking is Ok? Really?

I am saying any overtake has risks and if you are overtaking a large group of club riders it is impossible for it not to be a high risk overtake in the real world.

Everyone misjudges overtakes sometimes. Except perhaps Cyclechat users.

 

[KnackeredBike]

[QUOTE 4749230, member: 43827"]In 50 years I've held a driving licence I've never been held up by cyclist for more than a few hundred yards, except the Tour of Britain last year, and the police would never have let me overtake even if I tried.[/QUOTE]
Where do you drive? As a single cyclist I hold up a queue of motorists for more than a few hundred metres every single morning because the road is too busy and narrow to overtake, perhaps ironically on the "thirteen bends of death" Sunday Times road.

I doubt mine is an unusual commute for a road cyclist.