When is 'too close for comfort' - ?

[simongt]

In this month's CTC mag 'Cycle', there is an article about close overtaking by road vehicles and its effect on cyclists. The article talks of funding 'safe pass' mats at eight hundred pounds each.
However, is not a 'too close for comfort' pass relative - ? Does it not to a fair extent depend on the skill, confidence and ability of the individual cyclist - ? My and the GLWs own view, is that anything that passes less than half an metre away is a bit 'cosy'. Further away than that is okay. But we both know cyclists who consider anything less that a full metre is too close altogether.
What bugs both of us though is when an HGV passes you with no problem, then someone immediately behind in a Ka, Corsa or similar wee car then follows you for the next mile because they have spacial issues - !

 

[John the Monkey]

Depends on circumstances. Although half a metre if f*cking close, if you ask me (I couldn't signal safely, or avoid obstacles debris in the road with so little room).

The Highway Code gives a very clear picture of what a good pass looks like, and drivers should be doing that, imo.

 

[Racing roadkill]

'Too close' is flying over the bonnet, if there's no contact, there's no problem. However, where there's contact, there's a claim, and a new bike.

 

[NorthernDave]

If I can reach to open the door on the passing car / van / whatever, then it's definitely too close!

 

[uclown2002]

Many police forces are enforcing a 1.5m rule.

 

[Drago]

That's not exactly true, because their is no lawfully enforceable 1.5 metre rule.

Rather, they using that measure as a yardstick (pardon the pun) as to whether the overtake is indicative of other moving traffic offences, such as careless or dangerous driving. Simply overtaking within 1.5 metres is no offence.

 

[classic33]

'Too close' is flying over the bonnet, if there's no contact, there's no problem. However, where there's contact, there's a claim, and a new bike.

Doesn't require contact with the vehicle for it to be too close.

And contact with a vehicle requiring a new bike can leave you with bigger injuries, that money can't replace.

 

[ColinJ]

'Too close for comfort' is when the pass is so close that you feel uncomfortable!

I was just saying to someone this afternoon that I was overtaken by a lunatic driver on last year's Settle forum ride ...

So there I was, descending at 65 kph (41 mph), getting blown from side to side by gusting crosswinds, when a tosser in a black car decided that it was perfectly safe to overtake me! It is a narrow road and I was close to the centre of it to allow for lateral movements due to the wind. I couldn't hear anything except for wind noise blasting my ears so it was a complete shock to suddenly find a car a few inches from my right elbow!!!

This might not be the exact spot, but it is close. Imagine riding your bike down there at that speed, close to the centre of the road. Just how can it be safe to overtake?

View attachment 133936

That was what I call 'too close for comfort' divided by 4!!!

 

[uclown2002]

That's not exactly true, because their is no lawfully enforceable 1.5 metre rule.

Rather, they using that measure as a yardstick (pardon the pun) as to whether the overtake is indicative of other moving traffic offences, such as careless or dangerous driving. Simply overtaking within 1.5 metres is no offence.

Yes enforce is not an appropriate word in that context; however West Midlands Police when promoting the initiative adopted 1.5m 'guide' for passing vehicles.

 

[John the Monkey]

'Too close' is flying over the bonnet, if there's no contact, there's no problem. .

A lot of drivers agree. "Didn't hit yer, did I?" is a common refrain after many boneheaded overtakes.

 

[Dave 123]

I've had passes that are close but you hear that the Vehicle is going slow/low revs and (fairly) in control, its close and controlled so not too worrying.

Vehicles at excessive speed from behind are never pleasant no matter how far away they are!

 

[KnackeredBike]

It varies, I would rather a closer pass then Doris in a Micra taking a few minutes to find the right gear as you close in on a blind bend.

The rule I have when driving or cycling is when you are bolloxing something up (which happens to everyone from time to time) you might as well predictably and quickly bollox it up rather than faff around and create uncertainty amongst other road users. And uncertainty for cyclists is more unnerving because you have less protection.

 

[classic33]

'Too close for comfort' is when the pass is so close that you feel uncomfortable!

I was just saying to someone this afternoon that I was overtaken by a lunatic driver on last year's Settle forum ride ...


That was what I call 'too close for comfort' divided by 4!!!

Where do you go here, when faced with something the size of this(note the front spikes), when there's a car driver trying to pass?

The gate on the left was in use, so that's not an option. Driver of the tractor knew me so slowed down to less than walking speed

 

[KnackeredBike]

If you know the tractor driver - as long as you avoid the tractor you can go anywhere you damn well please. Car driver is back of the queue.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

As my absolute baseline, when I'm passed I ask if I can reach out with my arm and touch the car? If I can, it's way too close, full stop. Everything else after that is speed related, if they're just about out of arm's reach but very slow and aware, I'm okay with that. If they're an arm and a half and the car is doing 60mph, then I'm pretty f*cked off. I want fast cars half a lane away.