This under taking thing .....

[Rhythm Thief]

The last eight words are the important bit.

 

[marinyork]

From the Highway Code-

The rules in The Highway Code do not give you the right of way in any circumstance, but they advise you when you should give way to others. Always give way if it can help to avoid an incident.

Can you please stop aggressively repeatedly quoting your version of something that imho you don't understand.

The highway code is a hierarchical system. It involves things other than laws such as a basis to make it consistent. You get ample chance to put what you think the HC is on this forum and often argue very aggressively without listening to anybody else.

The reason why the highway code says this is the document, contrary to popular myth actually understands quite a bit about driver psychology. The spirit of what it says is absolutely right, but in this instance you're quoting it for the wrong reasons.

 

[gaz]

The last eight words are the important bit.

Quoted for truth.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

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.

It was a car turning right through a line of slow moving cars that got me 4-5 years ago, I was travelling at speed down the cycle lane on the Binley road in Coventry. Since then I have avoided filtering on the left as much as possible, if I do filter its very rare and very carefully done. Like someone else said, every situation is different and should be assessed and the course of action planned according to conditions at the time, but I would rather pass on the right than the left.

 

[magnatom]

If you undertake you are at significantly more risk from this.

Generally best to avoid undertaking where possible, though on occasion with due care and attention it can be accomplished safely.

 

[biking_fox]

Assuming the cycle lane is reasonably wide, and that the cars are generally observing it, I'd quite happily undertake. I ride a similar road, and I don't push the speed, and would be more like 10-15mph until the traffic sped up.

There is plenty of oncoming traffic, the cars don't give you middle of the road space to overtake, and being in the flow of traffic is ludicrous. That said, my last major off was in very similar circumstances to yours!

 

[GrasB]

I tend to overtake rather than undertake but for 2 reasons, typically it gives me more 'get out of here' options as when moving with the traffic you're far less likely to get drivers pulling along side you & you can also dive across the road if needed in an emergency.

A few years ago I was flowing with or overtaking stationary traffic about here on Trumpington Rd (see the woman demonstrating why I always overtake traffic there?). A driver coming the other way decided to 'put me in my place' & despite me being on my side of the centre line headed straight for me with the drive waiving their arms towards the cycle lane. I moved to the nearside in an attempt to avoid this person but they were so concentrating on trying to get the front of their car to push me onto the cycle lane they actually hit the car behind me despite the person sounding their horn & manically flashing their lights. So pardon me if I don't buy into the enhanced safety of overtaking rather than undertaking.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Well here is a picture of the said road.

After cycling down it today being more aware after making the post, its stop/start for about half a mile and along this bit there are 2 left turns and one garage.

I joined the road this morning as normal after queueing behind traffic who were also joining the road, rather than over take I remained behind them as its too narrow and so wrong to go down the side of the cars, and the path is a path not a cycle path.

When I joined cars were staionary, so I started up the cycle lane as normal undertaking as I got up to speed. I and about 6 other cyclists that I overtook did the same.

At one point, a truck came past me, and then slowed down and I undertook it as well. When it came to the junctions I was more aware then ever before of the dangers and slowed a little and kept a very good eye out, but all was okay.

After reading some of the posts on here, the thought of going into the outside overtaking position to over take the cars, to me anyway, seems even more suicidal than taking my chance on the inside undertaking.

I am not sure if thats the best thing, or what and I think its a personal choice but overtaking on the outside where there is a chance the cars could speed up and leave you stranded is more dangerous I think. But thats my opinion.

Its a tough call overall.... and I am not sure what the answer is anymore

 

[4F]

Kevin, from that picture I would do exactly the same and it looks very similar to the cycle lane I have as part of my commute. Just be aware of any left turns and you will be fine however I would only ever undertake a truck if it was stationary.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Kevin, from that picture I would do exactly the same and it looks very similar to the cycle lane I have as part of my commute. Just be aware of any left turns and you will be fine however I would only ever undertake a truck if it was stationary.

May I ask then what you do, lets say you are over taken by a truck, then a few hundred yards down the road its stopped because of a lot of queueing traffic would you then slow down and not pass on the inside, or go on the outside?

thanks

 

[4F]

I would only ever undertake a truck if it was stationary.

 

[MacB]

I like Greenbanks summation, I under and overtake depending on road, traffic and numerous other variables. Reading what's ahead, and making the best call, seems to be the safest way to proceed. Cyclecraft and road position are all well and good. But there are times when the 'right' thing may not be the safe thing. This is subjective and will differ for riding styles and speeds. Personally I use every road position from gutter riding to down the outside.

 

[4F]

I like Greenbanks summation, I under and overtake depending on road, traffic and numerous other variables. Reading what's ahead, and making the best call, seems to be the safest way to proceed. Cyclecraft and road position are all well and good. But there are times when the 'right' thing may not be the safe thing. This is subjective and will differ for riding styles and speeds. Personally I use every road position from gutter riding to down the outside.

Exactly.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Hang onto the barn doors when it pulls off for a free ride ...

That's always good fun. Although I'd hate anyone doing the same on my trailer.
Personally, the only time I'll undertake a truck is if I can see that the traffic ahead of it - for some distance - is also stationary. Then I know the truck can't move. But even then, I'm pretty wary of doing it.

 

[shunter]

I like Greenbanks summation, I under and overtake depending on road, traffic and numerous other variables. Reading what's ahead, and making the best call, seems to be the safest way to proceed. Cyclecraft and road position are all well and good. But there are times when the 'right' thing may not be the safe thing. This is subjective and will differ for riding styles and speeds. Personally I use every road position from gutter riding to down the outside.

Agree totally. I can confirm my choice of the 'safer' undertake by judging the difficulty of using the overtaking position on my motorcycle. Hairy sometimes even with 1600 cc!!