Tailgating - how to react

[gambatte]

The problem is, there are rules for how close you go to the pavement and how much room drivers are expected to give you when overtaking. But I have not see anything that says how close behind you someone can be. There is nothing in the Highway Code that talks about it.

stopping distances for a start

 

[davefb]

stopping distances for a start

indeed! ( interesting it doesnt mention push bikes, just motorcycles and lorries....... ... )

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070304

#126


Stopping Distances
Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. You should

• leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance (see Typical Stopping Distances PDF below)
• allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying faster-moving traffic and in tunnels where visibility is reduced. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads
• remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop. If driving a large vehicle in a tunnel, you should allow a four-second gap between you and the vehicle in front

 

[david1701]

Just use the nose of your saddle. I used to inadvertently do it a lot when on the MTB

pulling up must be interesting

I managed to do similar mounting my bike the other day, front of the shorts got caught on the back of the saddle and I dammed near came off at 2 mph

 

[Angelfishsolo]

pulling up must be interesting

I managed to do similar mounting my bike the other day, front of the shorts got caught on the back of the saddle and I dammed near came off at 2 mph

Pulling them up is a lot more difficult I can assure you

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The problem is, there are rules for how close you go to the pavement and how much room drivers are expected to give you when overtaking. But I have not see anything that says how close behind you someone can be. There is nothing in the Highway Code that talks about it.

Nope. There is not a defined distance. But the HC does have quite a bit to say.....

144
You MUST NOT

• drive dangerously
• drive without due care and attention
• drive without reasonable consideration for other road users

160Once moving you should

• keep to the left, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise. The exceptions are when you want to overtake, turn right or pass parked vehicles or pedestrians in the road
• keep well to the left on right-hand bends. This will improve your view of the road and help avoid the risk of colliding with traffic approaching from the opposite direction
• drive with both hands on the wheel where possible. This will help you to remain in full control of the vehicle at all times
• be aware of other road users, especially cycles and motorcycles who may be filtering through the traffic. These are more difficult to see than larger vehicles and their riders are particularly vulnerable. Give them plenty of room, especially if you are driving a long vehicle or towing a trailer

212
When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room (see Rules 162-167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so.


213
Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make.




But obviously important people trying to get somewhere important in their cars to do important things cannot be expected to put any of that into practise else they may be delayed by as much as twenty or thirty seconds.

 

[cloggsy]

Sadly, IMHO, being tailgated is a good reason to RLJ.

I can't agree with you there; but then again, I don't ride in built up places like London et al.

 

[Matthew_T]

indeed! ( interesting it doesnt mention push bikes, just motorcycles and lorries....... ... )

http://www.direct.go...ycode/DG_070304

#126


Stopping Distances
Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. You should

• leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance (see Typical Stopping Distances PDF below)
• allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying faster-moving traffic and in tunnels where visibility is reduced. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads
• remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop. If driving a large vehicle in a tunnel, you should allow a four-second gap between you and the vehicle in front

How come people have looked into the stopping distances for cars and given standard rules and regulations, but not into the stopping distances of bikes. It isnt exactly hard.

All you need to do is set a stopping distance at 20 mph, and then the other speeds are easy. It is simply to work out how much pressure you need to apply and how to adjust you brakes accordingly. People normally have their brakes so that they are not rubbing when riding allong, but a little bit of pressure starts to slow the bike down.

Yes the highway code is not the law but many of the things in it are the law. ("Code" not rule or regulation). As the Highway Code is advisory, then it should be allowed to have as much information in it as possible. I personally feel that the Highway Code is not detailed enough, and doesnt give enough information to be safe on the roads.

It doesnt mention anything about how to act when you are involved in a collision. Nothing about cyclists stopping distances, or how to ride in different weather conditions.

None of it.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

What type of bike would be used and what type of brakes? I like the idea in principle but there are more bike brake types on bikes than in cars.

 

[Matthew_T]

What type of bike would be used and what type of brakes? I like the idea in principle but there are more bike brake types on bikes than in cars.

Well there are disc brakes and standard rim brakes (dont know their name). You could have different distances for different terrain (MTB, Road). It wouldnt be hard to make a chart with the different brake types on the different terrain types at different speeds would it?

 

[StuartG]

I can't agree with you there; but then again, I don't ride in built up places like London et al.

I don't think the location is relevant. Your reasoning why you would do a stop you could avoid when being tailgated?
IMHO when safety and legality are in conflict there is only one sensible choice.

 

[Jmetz]

Just make them aware that you know they are there via eye contact and don't sacrifice your primary position unless it is safe to do so, then get out of the way as soon as it is safe to do so. But you'll still get people actings like tw@s no matter how much effort you make to ensure there driving is made easier as I was further reminded last night:

a people carrier stuck to my back wheel throughout a double parked road with oncoming traffic and then proceeded to pull in front and slam on to 'intimidate' me.

 

[Jezston]

I don't think the location is relevant. Your reasoning why you would do a stop you could avoid when being tailgated?
IMHO when safety and legality are in conflict there is only one sensible choice.

If I was being tailgated as I approached traffic lights, I wouldn't jump them - I'd gradually slow down as I approach them (whilst making wild gesticulations towards the driver), then take the red light stop as an opportunity to query the driver as to his intentions, whilst perhaps additionally querying the driver as to the profession of his mother.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If I was being tailgated as I approached traffic lights, I wouldn't jump them - I'd gradually slow down as I approach them (whilst making wild gesticulations towards the driver), then take the red light stop as an opportunity to query the driver as to his intentions, whilst perhaps additionally querying the driver as to the profession of his mother.

Or if indeed he knew his father?or his relationship with his mother?

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

What type of bike would be used and what type of brakes? I like the idea in principle but there are more bike brake types on bikes than in cars.

Well, you could just as easily say "what type of car and what type of brakes". The stopping distances never distinguished between drum brakes and disc brakes on cars, and they don't distinguish between a Fiat 500 and a Range Rover.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Just make them aware that you know they are there via eye contact and don't sacrifice your primary position unless it is safe to do so, then get out of the way as soon as it is safe to do so. But you'll still get people actings like tw@s no matter how much effort you make to ensure there driving is made easier as I was further reminded last night:

a people carrier stuck to my back wheel throughout a double parked road with oncoming traffic and then proceeded to pull in front and slam on to 'intimidate' me.

Indeed:
[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se60ut-E_-Y[/media]