Waving Cars Past

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marinyork

Resting in suspended Animation
Location
Logopolis
I think it's a bit naive to say waving someone past would land you in trouble. I know perfectly well that if a car breaches a solid white and has a head on collision that as they are being rushed into hospital in the back of the ambulance they'll be ranting and raving about it being the cyclist's fault.
 
I often give a 'flick' of the elbow to get drivers off my tail. But only when safe to do so. I'd rather have them in front of me where I can see them.
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
not so naive when you have actually seen an accident caused by exactly this behaviour is it? :biggrin:

marinyork said:
I think it's a bit naive to say waving someone past would land you in trouble. I know perfectly well that if a car breaches a solid white and has a head on collision that as they are being rushed into hospital in the back of the ambulance they'll be ranting and raving about it being the cyclist's fault.
 

marinyork

Resting in suspended Animation
Location
Logopolis
ianrauk said:
not so naive when you have actually seen an accident caused by exactly this behaviour is it? :biggrin:

I've seen the motoring equivalent. The bottom line is the law is prejudiced against cyclists, they'll blame the cyclist whatever. It's funny how one set of rules applies to cars - you stupid muppet you should still exercise caution when someone signals whereas with a bike it miraculously transforms into total fault.

I've had many people breach white lines. One of these days I probably will witness a head-on smash and I've got a pretty good idea of what any investigating officers will say.
 
Does anyone know of, or have any experience of, a case when this action has led to an accident?

Of course there is an element of risk here, but I am very careful not to give any sort of come-on signal (in my case, a nod) unless I'm absolutely sure it is clear. Of course there is always a risk. Maybe the motorist will lose control of their vehicle and crash anyway, after I've nodded them on, and then blame me (if I'm still around to take the blame :biggrin:). I'll take that risk.
 

jamesxyz

New Member
I only wave them past if
a) they are riding on my back wheel and gettin impatient
:biggrin: I can see better then them due to the higher sight line from a bike.

What I do hate is the assumption that you're on a bike = slow. If I'm on a descent doing 30-40mph+ car drivers will still insist on overtaking even if its not safe.
 
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