The new-ish rules for overtaking bikes

[YMFB]

You should not be waving them past, pull over if you like, make it easy for them to overtake, but let them make their own decision.

Following distance, two second rule.

 

[Ajax Bay]

My experience of looking over my shoulder is that previously patient drivers interpret it as an invitation to overtake immediately, regardless of whether it's appropriate.

I appreciate that's your perception. My take is that every driver behind seeing me look round at least knows that I know they're there. I rely on them to judge their overtake when the road allows to do so safely.

I do use the head-turn to indicate that I know they're there and also as a subtle indication that they can pass at their own discretion.

Me too.

 

[katiewlx]

Id never wave another vehicle by like that, its not something as a driver Id appreciate really as its down to me to decide when its safe to overtake, as a cyclist I might pull over if its safe to do so if theyre being clearly incompetent and struggling to work it out for themselves, as Id far rather have them being incompetent in front of me, than behind me.

But it might happen 1 in 10 rides, I get close passed far more often, and spend more of my time trying to prevent drivers doing stupid passes than encouraging them past

 

[esoxlucius]

the vast majority of motorised vehicle drivers have been extremely courteous,

Yes, there are some extremely considerate drivers out there. Some, as mentioned, even overly cautious, which can be annoying at times when you get them crawling behind you, even when there's ample room for them to overtake.

The problem is, even though there are considerate drivers, there will always be a minority of idiots out there, whatever the law says, and in our line of activity it only takes one of those idiots to cause a life changing or life ending incident.

So any new government "rules", I take with a huge pinch of salt.

 

[Electric_Andy]

It might be done with the best intentions. I'd rather they wait and crawl behind me too close, then close pass or overtake when there's something coming the other way.

 

[freiston]

If I don't think it's safe for someone behind to overtake me, I usually take the lane. If I think it is safe, then I try to give as much room as possible (without getting silly with it - I'm not going to be skimming the verge/kerb). If I'm aware of someone waiting behind me, or I can see someone plenty behind me (or in front coming my way) where it isn't safe to overtake me unless I pull in, then I pull in if I can do so safely. A mirror on my offside handlebar helps a lot, including seeing just how close they're getting.

Most of my road riding is on narrow single track country lanes and so most of the time, pulling over is required even for oncoming vehicles. What really gets my goat is oncoming motor vehicles who blast ahead expecting me to get out of their way - especially if they pass a passing place/field/yard entrance to do so.
Saying all that, it is really heartwarming encountering considerate drivers on the country lanes and I often get (and give) waves of appreciation and thanks - it restores my faith in the human race.

In my experience, the worst roads are those closer to the towns that are double track single carriageway where there's only plenty of room if it's clear. Driving standards seem to get worse the closer you get to a town and I get more drivers that either don't give enough room when it is safe to do so, give plenty of room when it isn't safe to overtake, or a combination of the two. These drivers tend to push the boundaries of safe speeds for the conditions too.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I often look behind me quite obviously so the driver - assuming they know what they are doing - knows that I know they are there

I also tend to slow down when they start passing me if it is just one car - not actually braking but stopping pedalling

This means that the minority that swing in too early still miss me

 

[notmyrealnamebutclose]

Id never wave another vehicle by like that, its not something as a driver Id appreciate really as its down to me to decide when its safe to overtake

Sometimes but rarely you'll get an over cautious driver behind you that is unnecessarily holding up traffick. I'll be
damned if I'm pulling over an stopping. These get waved on through if I can be absolutely be sure it is safe to do so

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Sometimes but rarely you'll get an over cautious driver behind you that is unnecessarily holding up traffick. I'll be
damned if I'm pulling over an stopping. These get waved on through if I can be absolutely be sure it is safe to do so

I have had this
very seldom but it has happened

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

If there are idiots on the road I prefer them in front of me so I can keep an eye on them!!

 

[notmyrealnamebutclose]

If there are idiots on the road I prefer them in front of me so I can keep an eye on them!!

They're never ending idiots on the road, you can't escape them

 

[bulldoze]

I was riding up a fairly steep quarter mile incline last year on my e-bike and putting the work in to maintain a decent pace. A car was hovering around my back wheel and just continuously using his horn. I had nowhere to stop as there was a ditch on my left hand side. The car had many opportunities to pass but seemed content to have some sport with me and use his vehicle to intimidate. I was only a few seconds away from laying my bike in the road and confronting him.

At that point he decided to floor the accelerator and pass. Most drivers are ok of course but there are certainly some idiots too.

 

[Drago]

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.

 

[Dadam]

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.

Agree apart from the 2 goes bit. My wife wouldn't be able to drive which would be really inconvenient. For example, I'm expecting to have a couple of ales with my home cooked curry tonight and let my wife go pick up my daughter!

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

They're never ending idiots on the road, you can't escape them

When driving I sometimes move to the inside lane for a while and let some idiots move on up the road
There are less idiots in the inside lane
but the ones there are often driving bigger vehicles!

 

[Moodyman]

There are some drivers you just don’t want behind you for longer than necessary. Big trucks and buses, whilst exemplary usually, are such type.