This under taking thing .....

[Steve Austin]

I'm not getting into debating it. i posted an answer to the op's statement.

as i said, if you want to debate it, feel free.

 

[4F]

I'd usually say that this was true. However, the OP asked for an answer based on fairly limited information so the chances are that the sweeping statement is more likely to be right than wrong, IMO.

But the OP also stated this

I only have one road thta this applies to but its over a mile long, where there is a dedicated cycle lane and about 2 junctions on the left along the way.

2 junctions in 1 mile...

 

[Steve Austin]

So what is the answer o wise 4f?

 

[2Loose]

I think that staying in the cycle lane and slowingbeing extra aware at those 2 turnings would be safe enough when traffic was stationaryslow. Not knowing the road in question mind...

 

[Tynan]

I don't find overtaking any safer than undertaking, yo';re at just as much rish from people turning across your path, I tend to prefer under because at least there's clear view to the left at least, in the centre of the road there's danger from both sides to consider

but of course every single road/junction shold be ridden in the most appropriate way, plenty are too dangerous to be done in a default way

 

[summerdays]

With both under and over taking there are potential dangers - they just come from different sides... in each case you are in the blind spot for some of the traffic. Caution and slow speeds and lots of looking near the junctions.

 

[addictfreak]

I don't find overtaking any safer than undertaking, yo';re at just as much rish from people turning across your path, I tend to prefer under because at least there's clear view to the left at least, in the centre of the road there's danger from both sides to consider

but of course every single road/junction shold be ridden in the most appropriate way, plenty are too dangerous to be done in a default way

I agree 100%. Riding your bike you have to make judgements based on road conditions, road layout, weather, volume of traffic etc. Its a risk assesment on the move, which might not even be the same two days in a row.

 

[addictfreak]

It's the speed that brings the risk with undertaking. Riding up the inside of 3mph traffic at 20mph is asking for trouble IMO. 3mph is slow enough for cars to stop and doors to open, and at 20mph you're off your bike before you've had chance to grab a brake.

I think that applies to the overtake as well. While we all want to make progress on the road, sometimes backing off the speed is the sensible thing to do. I'd rather arrive a few minutes later than not all.

 

[Alien8]

The best thing to do would be to sneak out at night and paint over the cycle lane. Failing that...

The problem is drivers tend not to look (behind) left when making a manoeuvre so you're not only venerable to cars turning left off the road in to junctions but also from pulling left (eg because something big is coming in the other direction) and pinching you in, or just wandering about the road. This can happen very quickly so if you're doing 20mph there's a big risk. Drivers also tend to indicate more for right than left turns - so this gives you more warning if you're passing on the right.

Overtaking is always the way to go. This can be a problem for inexperienced (I'm not saying this is you) cyclists because you have greater proximity to traffic coming towards you but if you're looking ahead properly you should be able to see/anticipate what is happening and slow/pull-in when needed. When there's no traffic on the other side of the road you can ride in the whole half of that side.

 

[Davidc]

Experience tells me that undertaking is always potentially dangerous and best avoided. That said what I'd do in this case would depend on the road, and I can't say without seeing it. There is the option of using the cycle lane but keeping speed (and stopping distance) low and being extra careful over watching out for motons.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I don't think anyone should expect right of way in a cycle lane if traffic to the right of them has stopped to allow a car to cross their path.

I agree. It's a shame we have to think this way, but it's better to be ready to avoid an incident than to dogmatically insist on it being your right of way.

 

[marinyork]

I agree. It's a shame we have to think this way, but it's better to be ready to avoid an incident than to dogmatically insist on it being your right of way.

It's complicated a bit more in cambridge in that there are a lot of solid white cycle lanes. I'm not really fussed at letting people out, it's poorly executed and lurching dangerous maneuvers in traffic I don't like.

 

[gbb]

As said before, swings and roundabouts, you have to risk assess each day, each road, traffic etc etc...and you can still sometimes make the wrong decision, or have circumstances work against you.
I'll over or undertake, depending on how wide the cycle lane is, how wide the road is, how heavy the traffic is etc etc.
I've overtaken a queue, only to find the lights changed quicker than i expected, then to find myself in no mans land. Usually you can filter back in, but i have got stuck once.
The cycle lanes in Peterborough are quite good, and i've never really found any problem with cars not expecting you to undertake (the lanes are coloured green and quite distinct from the road). If the lanes blocked (sometimes it happens)..i'll just wait....sometimes i'll switch and overtake.

I'd generally only overtake if the queue is moderately short and the traffic is static...or coming to a halt.

 

[Norm]

When I first started on a bike, as a teenager, there's no way that I would have overtaken anything. I was cycling through the stationary traffic up to Hammy Bridge in Barnes every day but I just wouldn't have considered heading into the middle of the road.

Having been riding motorbikes for 10 years now, though, I find myself over-taking queues fairly frequently, without any problems (so far *touches wood*) moving back across when the traffic moves off. I think a lot of it is down to confidence and assertiveness. Very few motorists are aggressive towards bikes and, if you make your intentions clear, they will give you room.

That said, I still expect drivers to come up with inventive ways to ignore me and drive through me.

 

[Greenbank]

I don't think anyone should expect right of way in a cycle lane if traffic to the right of them has stopped to allow a car to cross their path.

If everyone drove within both the rules and spirit of the Highway Code then you could. Since they don't, you can't.

Having done nothing wrong according to the Highway Code, and being up on the moral high ground, is of no practical use to you when you're dead under a car that turned right across your path because someone stopped to let them go and they couldn't see you filtering up the inside.

I filter up the inside every day on my commute. I probably pass 200 or 300 cars that way. Then, at some points, I won't go up the inside because I know it's just asking for trouble. At some points I'll only overtake on the outside and at some points it's just best to sit in the middle of the lane queuing with the other traffic. Most of the time I'll avoid overtaking as it just brings me into conflict with the powered two wheelers.

I'm not saying I'm perfect, I've had a couple of close calls over the years (especially commuting through London on a motorbike), and many times I would have been in more trouble had I been riding more aggressively. But compared to some of the insanity I see each and every day I'd consider myself to be quite restrained and laid back; I'm happy to cede priority and wait for the more appropriate time to pass and I'm very careful when passing junctions on the left hand side.