Road positioning advice

[Holdsworth]

Hi there,

during my daily commute I ride along a short stretch of the Nantwich bypass, Streetview. Since I have been riding this route I have confined myself to that strip of road between the white line and the gutter which follows the edge of the carriageway. I now wonder that if this the correct place to position myself on this road. I have had problems riding there, I had to dodge a pool of ice this morning and I can struggle to re-integrate back into the traffic flow for the roundabouts at either end (I am not the one to dismount and walk across). This is mainly down to traffic not letting me back in when signalling or leaving it very late to give way.

I'd like other advice as to where best to ride. I am unsure of using the main carriageway along the entire length mainly due to high speed of the vehicle that pass by fairly close, 60mph speed limit with quite a few HGVs, buses, coachs and tractors etc.

Thanks all

 

[HLaB]

Hi there,

during my daily commute I ride along a short stretch of the Nantwich bypass, Streetview. Since I have been riding this route I have confined myself to that strip of road between the white line and the gutter which follows the edge of the carriageway. I now wonder that if this the correct place to position myself on this road. I have had problems riding there, I had to dodge a pool of ice this morning and I can struggle to re-integrate back into the traffic flow for the roundabouts at either end (I am not the one to dismount and walk across). This is mainly down to traffic not letting me back in when signalling or leaving it very late to give way.

I'd like other advice as to where best to ride. I am unsure of using the main carriageway along the entire length mainly due to high speed of the vehicle that pass by fairly close, 60mph speed limit with quite a few HGVs, buses, coachs and tractors etc.

Thanks all

As you've already guessed that is the wrong place to be; mainly for the reasons you suggest. Depending on traffic flow/ speed/ relative speed, etc I'd like to be in whats known as the secondary or primary position; a 1/4 of the way into the traffic lane or halfway into it. I think I would end up in a secondary position on that road. Try googling them for a better explanation of them, the book Cyclecraft is also highly reccomended by folk here. If I couldn't cycle comfortably however, in all honesty looking at that road I'd be looking for a different route.

 

[gbb]

I ride a section of the A34 towards Corby like that...its not nice. I ride slightly left of the white line, and like everything, there's plus's and minus's.
Minus's...you do sometimes struggle to get back on the road (the A34 is quite busy with quite a few HGVs that thunder past).
Because you're to the left, drivers dont tend to move over and pass quite close ,albeit safely (ish) It does allow the traffic to flow.
You're riding in the cr@p.

Plus's...drivers can pass easily (albeit fast)
You dont get the scary close fast passes when there's oncoming traffic.

As HLab says, probably best to find an alternative. I use my section reluctantly, but to get to where i want to be...there's little choice. I balance the fact that if i ride in secondary...i'll get more close passes. The roads not that wide and there's plenty of HGVs. You're between the devil and the deep blue sea. Riding left probably isn't the best place, but riding on the right leaves you at the peril of idiots.(and there's plenty of them out there)

Not saying i'm right....just my method. It works for me.

 

[2Loose]

In my mind, Secondary is where the passenger side wheels of cars sit on the lane (not in the gutter), Primary is where the drivers side wheels sit.

Also has the bonus of nice smooth bits of tarmac

 

[gbb]

There's so many ifs and buts. Is that a single carriageway or dual. Looks like single. Local topography comes into it as well.
On my section, theres some inclines that slow you down a fair bit. Do i want to sit trundling along on the right of the line, slowing everything, risking very close passes, or be comfortable on the left.
Bends...there's several long sweeping bends that force lorries over IF there's oncoming traffic. Again, if you cycle on the right....
Traffic speed...lane widths...your speed...traffic volume, i know the right of the line is the right place to be, but reality and the impatience of drivers will dictate where i ride as safely as i think possible.

I'm a realist...i look at the conditions and circumstances and modify my actions accordingly. IF the road is straight, plenty of room, traffic volume is manageable, speed is not an issue...i'd probably ride in the 'correct' position.
But i'm not averse to modifying my position to meet the conditions. You should do the same Holdsworth. Assess the pros and cons and figure which is safest or best.

 

[400bhp]

Do you really have to ride that route? That's a horrible road.

The unbroken white line is to stop vehicles going too far left and wrecking the edge of the asphalt.

 

[Tynan]

I wouldn't be happy riding on a road with traffic moving that fast, granted I don't have to

 

[Black Sheep]

In my mind, Secondary is where the passenger side wheels of cars sit on the lane (not in the gutter), Primary is where the drivers side wheels sit.

Also has the bonus of nice smooth bits of tarmac

no, Secondary is where the passenger side wheels sit, perhaps a little further from the kerb with a bit of space to retreat into if needed.

Primary is motorbike positioning, centre of the lane, sitting driver side wheels just looks like you're taking the p***


back to the OP,
the white line is most likely there as a shoulder guide, it is not a bike line. it's to guide cars away from the verge.

use it if you like, for example, up hills where you're slower, but then join traffic when you can, not when you need to.

as someone else said, is it possible to take a different route?

 

[Holdsworth]

TBH I can't be bothered taking a different route, the nearest alternative is about 1/2 mile longer and anyway I really like to go as the crow flies

The road isn't that bad to ride on, despite it being a 60 limit. Anyway it is only a short stretch from one r'bout to the other. There are no significant changes in elevation on that road so I can happily maintain 15-18 mph without a headwind so maybe I don't need to pull into that lane at all. So I think that I'll just maintain a line just to the right of the lane and avoid using the "lane" at all times if possible.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Hate those solid lines

Technically they mark the edge of the carriageway so you shouldn't be riding outside of them. However, you get people (cyclists included) who think that "you should MUST be in the 'cycle lane'"

The one on the way out on my scenic route home is like that but the side is strewn with branches, leaves and other detritus...so many people think it is a cycle lane though

 

[buggi]

no, Secondary is where the passenger side wheels sit, perhaps a little further from the kerb with a bit of space to retreat into if needed.

Primary is motorbike positioning, centre of the lane, sitting driver side wheels just looks like you're taking the p***


back to the OP,
the white line is most likely there as a shoulder guide, it is not a bike line. it's to guide cars away from the verge.

use it if you like, for example, up hills where you're slower, but then join traffic when you can, not when you need to.

as someone else said, is it possible to take a different route?

agree

I'm absolutely horrified that (a) you would happily ride on a 60mph carriageway rather than take a route that is only 1/2 mile longer and (b) that you sit on the left of that white line which gives the impression to car drivers that it is a "cycle lane" (which it is not, it's to dictate the edge of the road) and thus they will treat you like you are in a cycle lane and choose to squeeze between you and ongoing traffic without pulling out.

However, it's your funeral mate. If you must ride this road, get out into an "assertive secondary" position (imagine that the white line is not there and ride a metre from the edge of the road at least). Ensure you wear bright clothing and have flashing lights from behind even in daylight as traffic will be approaching you at more like 70mph (assuming that most people drive slightly over the limit, some will easily hit 80) and this gives you more of a chance to be spotted early, especially in low sun conditions in the winter.

By riding this assertive position and increasing your visibility, you will force drivers to slow down and wait until there is an appropriate gap in the oncoming traffic before overtaking you and giving you a wide berth to overtake. Don't give them the opportunity to squeeze between you and oncoming traffic.

Taking this assertive position will also stop the need for swerving out into the traffic to miss potholes/ice etc (if you need to swerve you can swerve in instead of out) and you will find it easier to negotiate traffic at the roundabouts/junctions etc.

Whatever position you take though, you are putting yourself at quite a risk, but like i said, it's your personal choice so hope the advice helps