To think cyclists should allow cars to overtake them?

[Twitterqueen]

If you're cycling and you know a car is behind you and wants to overtake, should you let them / facilitate the overtake or deliberately refuse and shout 'wait' at the car? When the road ahead is straight and clear for well over half a mile, when the car has been patiently waiting for a safe, straight stretch, there is no other traffic but the road is just that little bit too narrow for the car to want to do it without some kind of affirmation from the cyclist, ie stop pedaling for a few seconds and move a bit closer into the side of the road?

The Highway Code states that they should where possible pull in to let motorists overtake.

Sunna and WooWoo read the Highway Code.

Honestly it would save both of you from looking really really silly.

Waltermitty everyone allows time in their journey for traffic, surely?

"But how is it sharing if you expect roads users who are able to safely travel much faster than you to wait as long as you want?"
If you wanted to drive your car at 50mph in a 60pmh zone you'd be completely within your rights. You wouldn't be driving inconsiderately. The police couldn't do you for it.
However are you suggesting that this driver should have to pull over at every verge, driveway turning etc to allow any car who is going Faster than 50mph past?
The cyclist is allowed to cycle on a road at whatever speed they can (often slower than motorists -and the cyclists themselves!- would like uphill!) and it is up to other road users to share the road responsibly, not for the slowest moving thing to pull over.

netty I agree with you. I pass lots of cyclists every day driving in town and they are so vulnerable. There are no cycle paths. There are four lane roads, and the quality of cycling varies wildly.

For example, this morning there was a cyclist carrying a plastic bag in one hand as he cycled between two lanes of traffic as the lights changed. No-one had any idea where he was going to try to go next as he'd positioned himself between the two lanes and could have been planning on zooming in front then turning left, going ahead into the left lane or the right lane, all the while steering with one hand as he had his bag in the other

Yes there are bad car drivers too - lots of them - but they aren't as vulnerable as cyclists and I don't understand why there aren't more campaigns for adequate cycle paths and tests for cyclists because it's madness to assume that cyclists have an innate road sense that means they make the right decision when faced with four lanes of traffic and no cycle path.

It's not fucking India guys. Biggest vehicle doesn't "win"!

Cyclists would very rarely hold someone up for more than a few seconds. I certainly can't remember having to wait more than a minute to get past one. Other cars however often hold me up for considerably longer.

2/3 of cyclist deaths are the fault of the vehicle driver. It would save more lives to have more advanced testing of drivers than cyclists.

How patronising can one person be?

Honestly it would save both of you from looking really really silly.

If a cyclist is knocked off his bike because he cycled up the inside of a line of cars and a car turns left it serves him right for being so very, very stupid. No matter what the Highway Code says. It's a queue and his turn to wait.

Hello stw!

What I would like to see to some extent is a sort of test to ensure that cyclists know the score on the roads

Sunna bikes and motorbikes are allowed to filter in traffic, ie overtake stationary or backed up vehicles. Check your facts.

I'm asking that all road users to whatever they can to prevent themselves from making inhibiting someone else's journey.

This is fucking hilarious. Anyone on MN who dares to suggest that driving a car at 30mph under the speed limit is inconsiderate gets ripped to pieces while all manner of idiotically far-fetched excuses are made for the slow driver, but cyclists are supposed to leap out of the way of any motor vehicle which might appear behind them, presumably with a tug of the forelock and a merry "After you, guv'nor!"

Since being "doored" by a parked car a year or so ago (fortunately I was wearing a helmet, and there were no cars coming in either direction - I was knocked well over the central white line) I have taken care to cycle well out into the road. Being knocked flying, combined with the sharp edge of the car door ripping right through gloves and coat sleeves before my skin, was unpleasant enough that I have no desire to experience it again. The woman who had injured me was so upset that I ended up giving her a big hug and comforting her. So if me cycling a bit further out in the road can prevent a poor innocent driver lady having a really upsetting morning wracked with guilt and shock, I'll do it.

I get nervous about overtaking cyclists and if it's just me on the road I'm more than happy to wait until it's safe.

However if there are cars behind me I feel really pressured to overtake the cyclist quickly. I have images of all the drivers of the cars behind me huffing and puffing and thinking "Why the hell doesn't she just overtake??!"

It's not about the Highway Code. It's about simple consideration for other road users, and doing what you can not to impede other people's journeys.

I always allow cars to pass me....I pull over. I hate it when there's one crawling behind me it stresses me out. I can feel their rage.

I accept that woowoo but drivers need to take a theory test so it would make sense that other users of the roads would too. I know some of DH's cyclist friends would benefit from it as they seem to be blissfully unaware or willfully ignorant.

Cycle lanes doesn't mean you don't have to be equally as careful.

There are lots here. Turning right is hazardous (we drive on the right) as the cycle lane runs alongside the road on the right.

It's too easy for a driver to turn right across the cycle lane straight into a bike coming up on the right hand side.

Awareness is key.

The Highway Code is the rulez.

You try and reinvent them all you want, but if it's ok in the HC then it's ok.

Sunna bikes and motorbikes are allowed to filter in traffic, ie overtake stationary or backed up vehicles. Check your facts.

If they go up the inside of a car turning left they are stupid.

Check your IQ.

As a cyclist, I will pull in if necessary, but on most journeys I am frightened by cars driving too close and not allowing enough space to overtake me.
20 years ago, I had my arm broken by being thrown over a suddenly opened car door when being pushed into the side of the road by traffic. I am a far more assertive rider now, and will maintain a position well away from parked cars.

Intimidating behaviour by drivers is commonplace, whilst riding up an uphill one way street with cars parked either side, the full length of the street, I will get cars revving thier engines behind me. I am baffled as to where they expect me to go... and as I am on a powered bike, I am not riding slowly.

"It's not about the Highway Code."

Ah, so you're one of those!

Wow, some of you need to learn patience, manners and some consideration for others. And I say this as someone who loathes cycling.

I completely agree that cyclists should have to take a theory test, as well as have insurance and be identifiable.

My DHs car was once scratched by a cyclist who was overtaking at a traffic light queue, and while the guy was apologetic when DH spoke to him, he wouldn't give up his details so that he could be held responsible for the damage he'd caused. He was a cocky little shit that knew he could get away with causing damage to someone else's property because of the fact that he couldn't be identified, and that's jus plain wrong.