Overtaking Stationary Traffic

[Edge705]

What a cr*p couple of weeks it’s been for me hailstones 70mph gusts rain the lot and just to give you an idea decided to set off for work later than usual one particular day heavens opened then sun came out as I parked up in the bike shed at work - same day got held up at work doing a job for over an hour as I got out the office heavy rain all the way home then it stopped. Previous to this some days earlier in my hour commute it had hailstones heavy rained showered and gusted up to 50 mile an hour then sunshine as I approached the works gates Is someone trying to tell me something?

Anyway yesterday was another cr*ppy day roads seem permanently greased at the moment
but respite as the wind is behind/across me so I’m doing 23-25mph just about the same speed as the traffic and I notice one particular car come up alongside me not giving me much room even though they had plenty on the driver’s side I increased my speed to get in front so that she could see me and again she speeded up and kept me hemmed in to the left at that point I sought of figured she's upset with me so I eased off and let her go in any case there was a sharp right turn at a roundabout ahead so it made sense

Further up the road stationary traffic as there is every morning and its about 300 yards long Unfortunately through no fault of their own the drivers do not leave much room on the left so my option is to jump onto the pavement (not my bag really) or proceed on the outside (only trouble traffic coming the other way) but by this time I’ve slowed down to 10mph basically proceeding steadily but moving (incidentally I do watch for cars attempting to pull out and overtake but on this particular stretch a car cannot overtake otherwise you would completely block the carriage for road users coming the other way and there is a concrete barrier to their right. Anyway low and behold for the very first time this year a car pulls out gives me no chance and I hit her but was able to stay on the bike and de-mount. After a few expletives I looked and it was this same car In fact she was so embarrassed she would not make eye contact and to make matter worse the car behind winds his mirrors down and says I should not be overtaking like that (as if its his business anyway) I mean he was more concerned with my manoeuvring than my wellbeing (T*sser) If a car had been coming the other way it might have been much worse.

Sorry about the rant but had to get the whole picture across. Anyway is ok to overtake stationary traffic? What’s the highway code around this I’m struggling to find one for this particular situation

Incidentally I didnt bother to report the car I felt her embarrasment was lesson enough I wasnt hurt no damage to the bike just hope she learnt a lesson. I dont think it was malicious I just think she was in a hurry and oblivious to her surroundings I just hope she takes a little more care with her driving when she see's a cyclist in future

 

[gaz]

Depends totally on the situation.
You have the following options

• Filter in the left
• Filter on the right
• Don't filter

Which one of those is applicable is dependent on traffic levels, traffic position, potential turnings, oncoming traffic and length of queue.

The preferred option for me is on the right. Motorcyclists filter here and drivers will more likely check their right mirror than they will their left. If the right is not possible then there is obviously the left but this should only be taken if there is enough space and the queue is a short one (my opinion of course).

Be aware of side roads when filtering on either side, you can often get hooked or a smidsy at a side road. Also take care around parked cars, people will often open the doors without checking when stationary traffic is next to them.

Always filter within your own abilities and have an escape for all situations. Travel at a sensible speed, pay attention to everything around you and always cover your brakes.

The short of it, you are perfectly entitled to filter on the right and this is the best option.

 

[daSmirnov]

Filtering is perfectly acceptable and legal in most situations. I don't know off the top of my head where cyclists stand with filtering on zig-zags and double-white lines, but in other situations its fine.

Usually safer to filter on the outside of traffic, car drivers are *usually* more aware of what's going on, on that side, and that's where they expect other road users to be filtering, for example motorbikes.

The car driver should watch what they're doing, entirely their fault.

 

[Nantmor]

One of the images of cycling which is often presented by our media is of lycra louts and other types on bike. Essentially we are dangerous scum who should learn to keep out of the way. i.e. Clarkson and many others inc. Matthew Paris. This is the image drivers feel there is some truth in when they meet a cyclist on the road. The other image is fantasy cycling. Its green, healthy, etc. but we still don't actually do it, we know we won't. Thats because they/we know that real roads, not the ones in the ads, are full of cars. Cars are dangerous, so cyclists should avoid traffic. They/we know the roads are dangerous because they/we well know how badly the cars are driven, because they/we drive them.
I hope this makes sense to someone, I have a liquid excuse.

 

[gaz]

I don't know off the top of my head where cyclists stand with filtering on zig-zags and double-white lines, but in other situations its fine.

Zebra Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997
24 Prohibition against vehicles overtaking at crossings

Whilst any motor vehicle (in this regulation called “the approaching vehicle”) or any part of it is within the limits of a controlled area and is proceeding towards the crossing, the driver of the vehicle shall not cause it or any part of it—​

(a)to pass ahead of the foremost part of any other motor vehicle proceeding in the same direction; or​

(b)to pass ahead of the foremost part of a vehicle which is stationary for the purpose of complying with regulation 23, 25 or 26.​

​

My bold.​

 

[slowmotion]

I think the outside is much safer.

Personally, I try to do something like this:

1) look out for side roads on the left. If there is a gap in the traffic you are overtaking, a motorist may let out traffic from the side road who wishes to turn right. Neither may have seen you.

2) If there is a side road to the right, a car that you are overtaking may suddenly decide to go for it, instead of queuing.

3) If you are riding up the outside and are close to a red light, make sure that you can get back to a safe riding position in the road as traffic speeds up away from the lights.

4) Don't go up the outside unless there is lots of room for on-coming traffic to pass you.

5) Go up the inside if there is lots of room between the passenger side and the kerb

6) Be very, very careful of the possibility of a passenger opening the door of a stationary vehicle.

7) Be careful if you decide to swap the side you overtake on. Particularly if you weave back into what you think is an empty inside lane.

Sorry, none of this is rocket science, and it not an exhaustive discourse. Just some suggestions for you to consider or ignore.

Be safe.

Edit: A couple more..

8) Look over your shoulder before filtering. Motorbikes can bear down on you from all directions at great speed

9) Pedestrians can spring out from tiny cracks in stationary and slow-moving traffic.

 

[Night Train]

Some 20 odd years ago one of my electricians was stuck in traffic in his Escort van. He decided to leave the queue and aimed to do a right turn in to a side road he was stopped opposite. As he turned he was T boned by a motor bike, writing off both both vehicles. Fortunately neither the biker nor my electrician was too badly injured given the circumstances as it could have been a lot worse.

I initially saw it as most likely all my electrician's fault for not doing a shoulder check to ensure it was safe to pull out. The Police had a similar view at the scene I believe. However, with further investigation, witnesses and the biker's own admission it transpired the biker was doing 50mph completely on the wrong side to pass all the traffic. The insurance determined blame to be 50/50.
I still reckon my chap should have looked more carefully.

Sometimes it is legal to filter on the right, sometimes it isn't. Most times, if it goes wrong, it can hurt.
I have been known to either wait in line in the queue, in primary so as to be seen, or walk the bike on the pavement to get by. I'm not really one for filtering much.

Glad your incident wasn't worse and there is no injuries and no damage to speak of.

 

[benb]

I think the outside is much safer.

Personally, I try to do something like this:

1) look out for side roads on the left. If there is a gap in the traffic you are overtaking, a motorist may let out traffic from the side road who wishes to turn right. Neither may have seen you.

2) If there is a side road to the right, a car that you are overtaking may suddenly decide to go for it, instead of queuing.

3) If you are riding up the outside and are close to a red light, make sure that you can get back to a safe riding position in the road as traffic speeds up away from the lights.

4) Don't go up the outside unless there is lots of room for on-coming traffic to pass you.

5) Go up the inside if there is lots of room between the passenger side and the kerb

6) Be very, very careful of the possibility of a passenger opening the door of a stationary vehicle.

7) Be careful if you decide to swap the side you overtake on. Particularly if you weave back into what you think is an empty inside lane.

Sorry, none of this is rocket science, and it not an exhaustive discourse. Just some suggestions for you to consider or ignore.

Be safe.

Good stuff, I'd agree with all of that. I'd also add be careful of cars suddenly pulling out to do a u-turn, which can happen anywhere.

 

[slowmotion]

Good stuff, I'd agree with all of that. I'd also add be careful of cars suddenly pulling out to do a u-turn, which can happen anywhere.

Absolutely!

 

[Mad at urage]

I suspect that you were not doing 50mph past stationary traffic which (whatever the speed limit) would be irresponsible and would be contributing to the probability of a collision (unable to stop if someone manoevres); hence what you were doing was legal and responsible. As the others have said, outside is where cars expect to be overtaken and is therefore preferred, inside is fine as long as there is room. An escape route needs to be continually assessed in both cases.

The car driver who told you that you shouldn't be overtaking is a tw@nk. Not unexpected though; the next time someone offers similar advice, ask them if they believe Jeremy Clarkson is an authority on motoring law.

 

[BSRU]

I generally do not filter because there is not enough traffic to warrant it, unless of an accident or road works.
There is one road I use that can be congested during rush hour but I do not filter as it is not safe to do so. The road is two narrow lanes each way, the direction I am going is towards a RAB with both lanes turning right and the left lane also turning left. As I am turning left I just sit in the left lane not much of a delay and not worth the danger of trying to squeeze past other vehicles.

 

[subaqua]

Zebra Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997
24 Prohibition against vehicles overtaking at crossings​

Whilst any motor vehicle (in this regulation called “the approaching vehicle”) or any part of it is within the limits of a controlled area and is proceeding towards the crossing, the driver of the vehicle shall not cause it or any part of it—​

(a)to pass ahead of the foremost part of any other motor vehicle proceeding in the same direction; or​

(b)to pass ahead of the foremost part of a vehicle which is stationary for the purpose of complying with regulation 23, 25 or 26.​

My bold.​

"driver" in relation to a vehicle which is a motor cycle or pedal cycle means the person riding the vehicle who is in control of it

from the interpretation section of the SI.

if there was a fatal collision it could be argued by a smarmy barrister that the act means all vehicles and the jury could well beleive him. too much wooly stuff in the law and its wording .

 

[BSRU]

"driver" in relation to a vehicle which is a motor cycle or pedal cycle means the person riding the vehicle who is in control of it

from the interpretation section of the SI.

if there was a fatal collision it could be argued by a smarmy barrister that the act means all vehicles and the jury could well beleive him. too much wooly stuff in the law and its wording .

It is straight forward, although worded to confuse.

1) A motorised vehicle cannot overtake another motorised vehicle in the controlled(zig-zag) area, whereas a motorised vehicle can overtake anything else(including bicycles) in the controlled area.
A bicycle can overtake/filter passed any vehicle in the controlled area with the exception of the following law labelled 2.

2) No vehicle can overtake the vehicle closest to the crossing when that vehicle has stopped to allow someone to use the crossing.

 

[gaz]

"driver" in relation to a vehicle which is a motor cycle or pedal cycle means the person riding the vehicle who is in control of it

from the interpretation section of the SI.

if there was a fatal collision it could be argued by a smarmy barrister that the act means all vehicles and the jury could well beleive him. too much wooly stuff in the law and its wording .

If there was a fatal collision then a smarmy barrister will argue over anything.. If you cycle safely then overtaking traffic on zig zag lines is perfectly legal.
What this also shows is that motorised vehicles are allowed to overtake cyclists on zig zag lines as well.

 

[simon.r]

I don't know off the top of my head where cyclists stand with filtering on zig-zags and double-white lines...

My understanding is that it's legal to overtake where there are solid white lines as long as you don't cross over the line. For example, filtering on the right of a queue of stationary traffic in-between the traffic and the white line is legal (normal 'rules' about leaving enough space to avoid opening doors, looking out for U-turners etc still apply)

It's also legal for cars to overtake bikes on solid white lines and to cross the white line, if the bike is doing less than 10 mph: "You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less". (Rule 129).