To remind drivers to give space

[BelleMarionette]

According the the highway code , drivers should allow at least 1.5m, or 5 ft, when overtaking a cyclist. Cyclists are also not obliged to cycle in the gutter by the road: in fact cycle skills teaches a more central position for visibility and safety.

I am cycling to and from work as it's the right thing to do environmentally. Public transport is pretty limited unfortunately. Around half of drivers pass too close, often within a foot and at speed. I have noticed that it is often German car drivers.. I also had a driver intimidate be by coming up close behind me and sounding the horn because I wasn't in the gutter. In this occasion it was approaching a junction with no safe space to overtake.

I have also had a car reverse into me when I was still in a queue of traffic. It sounds simple, but drivers need to look in their rear view mirror when reversing.

To anticipate common moans people have about cyclists: I have third party insurance, I have done cycle skills training, and have a driving license so am aware of the rules of the road, and I stop at red lights.

So this has gone down like a lead balloon. Those who think I am unreasonable, why?

Those who close pass when overtaking, why?

Thank you for raising people's awareness of this.
There are sadly too many drivers who feel entitled to beep/ shout/ swear at cyclists of all ages (even children) who they perceive to be "taking up too much space" on the roads. Which is a bit of a joke, considering how much room that driver is taking up, esp when they're the only person in the vehicle.
While we're at it, I'd love to remind drivers that sometimes when cyclists are riding a bit further out from the kerb than you'd expect, it might well be because of the state of that part of the road (often occupied by pot-holes, deep puddles, broken glass, slippery leaves etc). There are cycle lanes near where I live that are often unusable for the same reasons.
It may seem weird to you, but it's actually safer for me to ride further out, in a nice predictable straight line, where I'll be visible to as many road users as possible, and can also see more myself.

ps: 'Cyclist awareness training' is also available in many areas nowadays, for both 'professional drivers' and others.
And would be highly recommended to the 3 people who voted that the OP WBU!

If a cyclist is riding very close to the central line of the road, then there isn’t usually another 1.5m available to give them the space they want.

I hear you. I don't cycle these days but regularly come across them driving on not great for over taking roads. I get stick from other car drivers and sometimes the cyclists for not overtaking quickly enough e.g. when I don't feel like there is enough space / can't see if road ahead clear.

YABU.
Yours,
Another cyclist.

Just pull in and let the cars get on their way, why would you want them behind you anyway?!

People see a bike and have to overtake. It's a weird compulsion. Even if they are about to park or turn off within 10 metres, or there's a red light ahead, or there isn't enough space, or the cyclist is going faster than the speed limit, or there's someone halfway across the zebra crossing.
Two things need to change..firstly, presumed liability for motorised vehicle drivers so that they are automatically at fault in case of a collision (applies to insurance pay outs not criminal charges).
Secondly, separate cycle facilities. Vulnerable road users should not have to "share" with people protected by a metal box.

I haven't said about cycling in the middle of the road, just a safe distance for the kerb. The point is that drivers should wait for a safe space to overtake. Driving at cyclists due to impatience could cost a life.

*are legally required to be given.

I'm certain OP isn't talking about cycling 1m from the white line. The recommended placement for a cyclist is about 1/3 to 1/2 way across the lane. It means that there is space to move into if you are close passed.

thanks for this. Similar here - regular commute cycle but drive about the same amount. I just find this compulsion to overtake so odd - there’s almost always a red light or traffic jam ahead… (cycling in London). There’s always going to be a proportion of bad drivers and cyclists.

Don't overtake then - wait until it is safe. If they are in the middle they are maybe turning right or passing parked cars. Even if the cyclist is completely in the wrong and is positioned terribly, it still doesn't give you the right to risk their safety by passing too close

Ha ha, what a goady rediculous post. I do allow drivers to overtake when safe. As I said, often it is not safe. Often drivers will pretend not to see me and drive right next to me, even when I am close to the kerb. Do you cycle is Narnia where all the roads are so wide with no bends, that there is always space to allow overtaking, and it's safe to do so?

As someone who has been close passed many, many times while riding two abreast with a child covered in high vis, I have given up. I guess they will follow the law when they run over me in front of my DD and get charged. (And no, not everyone can drive so don't start telling me that would be safer)

The Panorama poll from a few weeks ago said that 60% of drivers don't want bikes on the road, and I believe it. They can change all the Highway Code they like, but until everyone gets headcams and starts getting drivers fined and removed from the roads, I don't believe anyone cares. Why wait ten seconds when you can zoom around children and families to get to stand in traffic that much faster.

I give cyclists plenty of room, then they scrape past you inches away at the lights, then I have to over take them again.

It works both ways...

Do you know you aren't supposed to overtake them within the lane, but by crossing the white line into the oncoming traffic lane?

Treat them like a car. Actually pull out, don't try and squeeze by.

@PeekabooAtTheZoo you pull over for EVERY car?!? How on earth to make you any progress on your journey?? 😳

You have barely given people time to see and or reply to your thread since you posted it! I'm not normally one to comment like this but give people time to actually reply and also maybe give then the actual room to be the correct distance away 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

I agree that in a perfect world, everyone would wait patiently for a cyclist to trundle along, and only overtake when safe to give 1.5m room. I do this 99% of the time.
However, and this is something I'm not necessarily proud of or think is right (if you have a solution I would love to hear it!) when I am travelling to work I have a VERY small margin of error on time. I can't leave earlier, because I drop DD on the dot of when breakfast club opens, in order to have just enough time to get to work myself. Even a couple of minutes delay makes me late. I am a teacher - I can't be late, for safeguarding reasons.
I get that this isn't anyones problem but mine, but I can't make breakfast club open earlier, I can't make my school open later and I can't shorten the distance from the former to the latter.
A slow cyclist in the middle of the road is a massive headache for me. I have been guilty of passing within 2-3ft of a cyclist because I was stressed out about the delay. I'm sorry - but as I say, cycling is much slower than vehicular traffic, and I genuinely do not have time to allow cyclists to hold me up!

Clearly not actually a cyclist. Why should you have to constantly pull in to let people past? Plus it's unsafe to ride too close to the side and also unsafe to keep veering in and out. Pulling in to let people past is suitable for narrow country lanes not for normal two lane roads.

The part of the Highway Code many cyclists think doesn't apply to them:

Rule 168
Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.

Rule 169
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.

Then you stay behind them until you CAN give the clear space - because that is the law, and for a reason

Hmm. Why bother overtaking again if there's a red light ahead? Just let them go and they won't bother you again.

I'm not a cyclist because I've been cycling since before we had power on the roads and like to not be an arse?
Why should you have to constantly pull in to let people past?
Rule 169 of The Highway Code.
Pulling in to let people past is suitable for narrow country lanes not for normal two lane roads.
The vast majority of roads in the UK are narrow country lanes. These are the best places to cycle as they lead to the most interesting destinations. Regardless, the Highway Code applies to all roads.
HTH.

Don't "just pull in" to the gutter - the edges of the road are not smooth, clear or suitable for cycling, even if it were safe to cycle right up close to the edge, which it is not. Cyclists should be in the middle of their lane

It’s bloody selfish when you see a queue of 15 cars sitting behind a pair of cyclists who ate doing a leisurely commute. Where I live it’s all winding country lanes and holds up many many people. Just pull in for 30 seconds!