alasdairgf
New Member
- Location
- Liverpool
Seen the phrase "to take a primary" a couple of times now, but can't figure it out. Seems to be in the context of road riding - can someone clarify? Thanks!
"Take a primary" - jargonbustin' plz?
- Thread starter alasdairgf
- Start date
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iAmiAdam
New Member
At a shot, I think it's a primary position in the road. So the middle, or a position that, in theory, makes overtaking impossible and puts yourself in a safer position.
It comes from the bible of road riding - Cycle Craft 
- and is the position in the middle of the lane, where you are 'in control' of the lane;
'Secondary' is a bit closer to the kerb - about where the nearside tyres of a car run.
Cycle Craft is well worth a read/purchase if you are unsure about riding on the mean streets of 21st century Britain
- and is the position in the middle of the lane, where you are 'in control' of the lane;'Secondary' is a bit closer to the kerb - about where the nearside tyres of a car run.
Cycle Craft is well worth a read/purchase if you are unsure about riding on the mean streets of 21st century Britain
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
Primary and Secondary are terms which come from Cyclecraft, the "Primary riding position" means riding in the centre of the lane in which you are travelling. The Secondary or Standard riding position means that you ride where the near side wheel track of a motor vehicle would be. These positions are used to increase your margin of safety. Good road positioning is not about keeping out of the way of other traffic as much as possible. Drivers give the most attention to the part of the road where there is the most risk to themselves, this is the zone of maximum surveillance, outside this area you are far less likely to be seen. SO the riding in this area is the safest place to be.
alasdairgf
New Member
- Location
- Liverpool
Thanks, clear now. Might investigate this book people keep raving about!
It DOESN'T mean " the 'natural' position to ride along", nor does it mean "the 'usual' position to ride along".
It means "The position where 'single file' is the only way to progress" whatever the width of the vehicle.
Some motorists get confused and consider it "road-hogging", as they think an overtake would be possible if the narrow vehicle moved to their 'usual' position on the carriageway.
The opposition to the 'take primary' piece of advise is centred around 'slow vehicle' courtesy where holding up three or more vehicles is 'obstruction' and the slow vehicle is obliged to pull over and give way to the larger, faster vehicles.
Before 'taking primary' remember, - if the NARROW and slow vehicle is less than 1 metre wide and keeps within 1 metre of the curb, the 'courtesy' rule is waivered.
On carriageway lanes of 3.5m width and there is a HGV following who is having difficulty passing, you have to make up your own mind whether you are holding up the traffic or not.
It means "The position where 'single file' is the only way to progress" whatever the width of the vehicle.
Some motorists get confused and consider it "road-hogging", as they think an overtake would be possible if the narrow vehicle moved to their 'usual' position on the carriageway.
The opposition to the 'take primary' piece of advise is centred around 'slow vehicle' courtesy where holding up three or more vehicles is 'obstruction' and the slow vehicle is obliged to pull over and give way to the larger, faster vehicles.
Before 'taking primary' remember, - if the NARROW and slow vehicle is less than 1 metre wide and keeps within 1 metre of the curb, the 'courtesy' rule is waivered.
On carriageway lanes of 3.5m width and there is a HGV following who is having difficulty passing, you have to make up your own mind whether you are holding up the traffic or not.
