The new-ish rules for overtaking bikes

[ebikeerwidnes]

The other point about pulling in when it is reasonable to do so is that it shows "The People" that cyclist can be reasonable

and are not all fanatical woke leftie revolutionaries intent on [enter latest conspiracy theory here]

 

[simongt]

The other point about pulling in when it is reasonable to do so is that it shows "The People" that cyclist can be reasonable

and are not all fanatical woke leftie revolutionaries intent on [enter latest conspiracy theory here]

Rather like those of us who slow down almost to a standstill ( which most of us should be able to do ) to let a motor vehicle turn right and the driver is so surprised that we can do so without either stopping or falling off - !

 

[Electric_Andy]

The driving test is far to easy.

I propose the test is made harder and candidates are subject to an IQ and psychometric test before being granted a licence. Ant they should only get two goes - fault the test twice and youre on the bus for life.

I mostly agree, but maybe fail it twice and then have to wait a few years before you try again. Some people get intelligence, patience and confidence with increasing age and life experience

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I mostly agree, but maybe fail it twice and then have to wait a few years before you try again. Some people get intelligence, patience and confidence with increasing age and life experience

Some people are nervous just because it is a test
rather than because of any problems with driving

and having a "two goes and you are out" discriminates against people with some mental problems

It puts a lot of pressure on the second test because you HAVE to pass it or suffer a worse punishment than you would if you passed and then drove while totally drunk

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I agree that having a car close behind can feel worrying, but I remind myself that they have already slowed to my speed, showing some consideration.

I don't engage with them by speeding up or slowing down, or waving them past. Occasionally I may pull over, but usually I let them continue to develop their aptitude for patience.

Additionally, I generally don't indicate when turning left (in UK) or pulling in.
Reason: Several years back I was being followed (too close) by a water board van and I was turning left, I indicated and driver seemed to take my indicting as his clue to accelerate rather than actually waiting for me to turn off.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Additionally, I generally don't indicate when turning left (in UK) or pulling in.
Reason: Several years back I was being followed (too close) by a water board van and I was turning left, I indicated and driver seemed to take my indicting as his clue to accelerate rather than actually waiting for me to turn off.

I have had that - there are some junctions where I deliberately move out from the kerb approaching them partly just to prevent people deciding to overtake as I turn assuming I will ride on the absolute edge of the kerb - and cyclists have far far more awareness of the state of the road surface than a car driver!

 

[Shearwater Missile]

One other thing to add is of course bad road surfaces and pot holes. If a driver is holding back from overtaking he or she may just be doing you a favour. The last thing you want is to avoid that pot hole just as they start to over take. I have had the case where someone has been close to me from behind, intimidating in fact so I decided to pull over. That is easier said than done as when I pulled over because they were so close I nearly came off. I try and wait until there is a pull in now and they will just have to wait. Incidentally, that driver was on the school run I think. The second time they were behind me I just carried on. Phew, a lot safer !

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

The main road past where I live is a good example of "things car drivers do not see"

On a bike you really do not want to be riding near the kerb at times because the rad surface is so rough and covered with loose chippings

basically it was resurfaced in bits and some parts are very good - and others "not so much" so you end up riding a few yards out from the kerb
so if a car wants to pass with traffic coming the other way then there is no room
which makes you ride even further out in case they try and end up too close or forcing you into a hole

When I drive there in my car it is just not important due to the different everything!!!

 

[katiewlx]

Additionally, I generally don't indicate when turning left (in UK) or pulling in.
Reason: Several years back I was being followed (too close) by a water board van and I was turning left, I indicated and driver seemed to take my indicting as his clue to accelerate rather than actually waiting for me to turn off.

I get that sometimes when turning right (in the UK)

 

[brommieinkorea]

Some people are nervous just because it is a test
rather than because of any problems with driving

and having a "two goes and you are out" discriminates against people with some mental problems

It puts a lot of pressure on the second test because you HAVE to pass it or suffer a worse punishment than you would if you passed and then drove while totally drunk

. So people with mental problems should be driving ? I know they are, but Drago is correct, driving tests lack difficulty and prerequisites.

 

[Drago]

If folk are nervous facing a mere test then how will they manage on their own on a live road? There are too many weak excuses that allows poor drivers behind the wheel.

No excuses - two goes, then tough t***y.

 

[lazybloke]

On one occasion I found a gateway and pulled in just because he had been behind for so long that I was worried that he would do something stupid
or someone behind him would do something even more stupid

I pulled into a driveway to let an extremely slow / cautious driver overtake me, and found i was blocking his driveway!

 

[Binky]

The only time I will wave a vehicle past when I'm cycling is on narrow backroads and if I see a pull in spot ahead I'll wave vehicle past so I'll slow down, pull in and hope they'll go past without me having to stop and unclip. This especially on roads I know well so know otherwise they'll be behind me for some time which is no problem as such but as a courtesy I do this in hope said drivers get to recognise me and appreciate it next time.
Also if a vehicle is stuck for a mile or so behind a cyclist on a backroad there could always be a temptation for them to overtake when they think it's safe whereas I'd rather get them to do it when I think it's safe. An important distinction.

 

[Dadam]

Test/examination nerves are a real phenomenon experienced by many people (particularly acute for neurodivergent people) and it's a completely different scenario than ever comes in driving. So the test is not accurately assessing the individual.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I pulled into a driveway to let an extremely slow / cautious driver overtake me, and found i was blocking his driveway!

When I approach a T-Junction where I'm joining another road (ie crossing the double dashed white lines) and there is a car approaching from behind I'll watch to see if it's turning my way or other way - so if turning my way I'll pull aside and let them go in front. But most of the time the approaching car doesn't indicate. So often cars don't regard cycles as a "vehicle" that needs to know their intention. So often I'd get out of their way if they just bothered to let me know (indicators) what direction "their way" is.