Overtaking Etiquette?

[OvertheHill]

Okay, so I'm not particularly fast on my commute - I ride and MTB and average about 15-16mph to work and 12mph back. I get the odd guy on MTB's go past me up the hill and quite a few road bikes too. And I go past a few myself. Not a problem. But twice in the last week different riders on MTB's have edged past me whilst I've been stopped at traffic lights (they've gone over the white line almost out into the traffic) and then have been slower than me holding me up until I can get past when the traffic eases. Why do they do that? It's so annoying. Fair enough if you are a fast rider on a road bike but if you are holding me up you definitely should wait your turn in the queue cos you're unlikely to be pulling away from anyone.

 

[HJ]

It is just bad manners, there is not reason for barging in front traffic lights, but there seem to be a number of arrogant to$$ers who will behave that way. I take a delight in burning them off...

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Why do they do that?

twat's it is that they are.

my pet hate; those on (mountain) bicycle shaped objects who heave themselves past; all rusty squeaky chains, carriers on the handlebars, and flapping loose coats, on the down slope out of town only to come backwards at me when we reach the gentle up slope that follows

 

[HLaB]

twat's it is that they are.

my pet hate; those on (mountain) bicycle shaped objects who heave themselves past; all rusty squeaky chains, carriers on the handlebars, and flapping loose coats, on the down slope out of town only to come backwards at me when we reach the gentle up slope that follows

+1 I find it even more annoying when they squeeze down the side of a bus and then wobble about in front of it when the lights go green.

 

[sticky sherbert]

Just kick 'em off as you pass!

(I had a bad day at Work)

 

[Bollo]

I came across this on the recent Isle of Wight Randonnee. I like the Randonnee because its a broad church. But there are times, like waiting at lights, when different customs in different parts of the country can lead to friction. There were a couple of times where I was waiting at lights, sometimes right on the line, sometimes a car or two back, where riders would move in front. I don't think they were (imitates Joe Pesci in Goodfellas) breaking my balls but I confess I did get irritated. Irritation leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering, but mainly me blasting from the lights only to vomit into a bush about a mile down the road.

 

[Tynan]

LatelyI've taken to passing them on the inside before they manage to get back to the curb

I thik they get the point

 

[dellzeqq]

It is bad manners. I'd suggest OTH that you steer clear of Islington. You'd find it pretty depressing.

 

[peanut]

I'm glad I live in the country where the scariest thing I have to face is the old man pushing his bike up the hill laden with veg from his allotment ooooohhhh urrrrrrrh

wonder what he thinks seeing a lycra clad racer rocket by ? Morning .......UUuurrrrhh

 

[Jake]

oh it happens all hte time. I think i wrote a moan about it too the other week. Late, so cant write what i wrote before, but i tihnk the gist someone said was to pull alongside when your moving, make them huff and puff a bit then effortlessly zoom off. it is annoying your right, it does me head in, its dangerous, inconsiderate etc etc. I usualy shake my head in disaproval. anyway got to run

 

[D4v0]

It annoys me too, but luckily I only go through one set of lights the whole 14 miles.

Today I was taking it easy and just coasting down the hill when someone on a mountain bike came pedalling past me, not a problem but he then was in my way going back up the hill a little bit. I left him in front of me a while until we hit this very steep hill and I just decided to steam it past him (still sitting), nearly finished me off though.

I got 5 miles up the road and I decided to take a nice walk up another steep hill, when out of nowhere came the mountain biker riding up it, this time he said hi on the way past.

 

[Ben M]

I decided to take a nice walk up another steep hill

walk of shaaaaaaaame

 

[fossyant]

Nooooo......

Bet he was smiling............

 

[Olly]

It is bad manners. I'd suggest OTH that you steer clear of Islington. You'd find it pretty depressing.

Too right!!!!
At any given set of lights you can guantee that some slow poke will wobble in front of you then wobble away like a drunk snail!!!
Just grit teeth and leave for dust!!!