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Original poster

Driving anxiety- driving around cyclists!

14 replies

Jessie1995 · 30/03/2023 14:48

I’ve been driving for a few years but still find some things anxious. I hate over taking cyclists? Does anybody else!?
I know when it’s safe to do it ofcourse and when you shouldn’t. I know you need to give them as much room as possible so only ever go when there’s a long and big enough gap! But I always over think it afterwards!? Yet I see people not even giving any room as they pass cyclists and not seeming worried!?

today I was driving along a road and had a bike on my side infront of me I kept my distance behind him until a space became clear on other side of road for me to kind of be hovering over the middle line ish to pass him With plenty of room. Then there was a Scooter on the other side of the road too! Got a bit flustered thinking did I leave enough room for both by going through the middle of the both of them! 🙈

I was going to wait for the other Scooter ( other side of road to go past ) however I could see cars coming up behind the bike and thought if I don’t go now there won’t be any other suitable gap to go in and I’ll be waiting behind again!

does that seem sensible? I don’t know why I over think it so much! I just see a cyclist and slightly panic I’m not too sure why!
any body else feel this way?

OP posts:
PrinceHaz · 30/03/2023 14:52

I hate driving near cyclists. To be on the safe side, I lag behind them until the road is totally clear ahead. Then I drive into the other lane to give them a very wide birth as I pass them.

artforartssakemoneyforgodssake · 30/03/2023 14:58

I cycle regularly - thank you for your care and concern you sound like you are doing everything right

Yoyooo · 30/03/2023 14:59

I think the bigger anxiety is having cars right up behind you pressuring you to over take the cyclists. Defo keep clear until it's safe to overtake.

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Trekkingaway · 30/03/2023 15:03

It's the same as overtaking a car. The mistake people make is thinking it's different. Usually if there wouldn't be room to overtake a car there's no room to overtake a bike.

This is why cyclists ride side by side. It actually makes overtaking easier - you've only got to pass the length of one bike rather than two.

So, in your example, no you shouldn't have passed while there was a moped in the other carriageway, just as you wouldn't have if there was a car.

dizzydizzydizzy · 30/03/2023 15:12

artforartssakemoneyforgodssake · 30/03/2023 14:58

I cycle regularly - thank you for your care and concern you sound like you are doing everything right

This!

I was nearly killed yesterday while cycling. A van came towards me on my side of the road, while overtaking a car reversing out of a driveway in his side. I had to squeeze between the van and hedge and nearly lost control of my bike .

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 30/03/2023 15:20

Trekkingaway · 30/03/2023 15:03

It's the same as overtaking a car. The mistake people make is thinking it's different. Usually if there wouldn't be room to overtake a car there's no room to overtake a bike.

This is why cyclists ride side by side. It actually makes overtaking easier - you've only got to pass the length of one bike rather than two.

So, in your example, no you shouldn't have passed while there was a moped in the other carriageway, just as you wouldn't have if there was a car.

It was a scooter. Not a moped. As in like a E Scooter that people ride around in cities lol ( if that makes sense)
they were Right up against the curb on their side of the road. I had enough room overtaking the bike on my side moved out right to the centre line and gave enough distance either side. It was also quite a wide road I will add!
thank you for your help!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie1995 · 30/03/2023 15:23

PrinceHaz · 30/03/2023 14:52

I hate driving near cyclists. To be on the safe side, I lag behind them until the road is totally clear ahead. Then I drive into the other lane to give them a very wide birth as I pass them.

Yes that’s what I always do. But got me a bit flustered today when there was a scooter on the other side too. ( as in like an e scooter) they were right up the curb on their side so when I went round the bike my side with enough room but then worried about did I leave enough room for the scooter too. I basically drove through the middle of the 2 of them with same distance either side( it was a pretty wide road)

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie1995 · 30/03/2023 15:25

artforartssakemoneyforgodssake · 30/03/2023 14:58

I cycle regularly - thank you for your care and concern you sound like you are doing everything right

Thank you. I always wait for a safe enough gap see so many people going so close to cyclists! I just panicked if I should have waited for the scooter on the other side to pass by too before going past. ( I pretty much drove through the middle of the bike and the scooter) and they had equal distance if that makes any kind of sense haha!

OP posts:
xogossipgirlxo · 30/03/2023 15:25

I'm the same, always give as much room as possible, so you're not alone. I am in metal can, they don't have any protection apart from helmet.

anotheropinion · 30/03/2023 15:29

Another one here saying thanks for looking out for us on bikes.

The trick is to treat it as another vehicle, and just aim to make a good decision. If there's plenty of room to pass safely, do it. If there isn't, wait a safe distance behind until there is. There's no in-between option: either pass with space or wait behind.

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 30/03/2023 15:30

xogossipgirlxo · 30/03/2023 15:25

I'm the same, always give as much room as possible, so you're not alone. I am in metal can, they don't have any protection apart from helmet.

Yes I always give enough room as if I’m overtaking a car. I just worried with a scooter being the other side of the road too whether I should have gone. A scooter like an e scooter not a motorbike. I went over the middle line and felt like I gave both sides the same amount of space and was not too close. Wasn’t sure whether that was ok or not I guess!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie1995 · 30/03/2023 15:32

anotheropinion · 30/03/2023 15:29

Another one here saying thanks for looking out for us on bikes.

The trick is to treat it as another vehicle, and just aim to make a good decision. If there's plenty of room to pass safely, do it. If there isn't, wait a safe distance behind until there is. There's no in-between option: either pass with space or wait behind.

Thank you. I will always only pass when it’s safe to do so and a big enough gap the other side of the road/no blind bends etc! I always give enough space like I would overtaking a car. I just not sure if it was ok to go around when there was a scooter on the other side of the road. A Scooter as in an e scooter( voi type thing) not a motorbike. And the road was pretty wide! I made sure I sat pretty central over the middle line and gave them both as much room as possible. Just overthought it afterwards I guess haha!

OP posts:
anotheropinion · 30/03/2023 15:39

The new highway code guidance is "leaving at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and giving them more space when overtaking at higher speeds."

So assuming you managed at least that distance from both the cyclist and the scooter, I'd say ok? Depends how wide the road is whether that's possible, or if you need to wait a few seconds instead.

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 30/03/2023 15:42

anotheropinion · 30/03/2023 15:39

The new highway code guidance is "leaving at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and giving them more space when overtaking at higher speeds."

So assuming you managed at least that distance from both the cyclist and the scooter, I'd say ok? Depends how wide the road is whether that's possible, or if you need to wait a few seconds instead.

Thanks yes I always leave about a cars width between me and a bike when overtaking. It was a wide road! Wide enough for parked cars either side and space to drive through the middle still kind of width! Would be different if a narrow road but wasn’t sure if I’d gone a bit wrong or just overthinking it haha

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