How was your cycle commute?
- Thread starter ChrisFilter
- Start date
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I got beeped at twice today on the way home by different drivers, just for taking the middle of the road because I didn't want to be passed as it is not safe on that stretch. One of them went on to pass me dangerously.
I am in the right to do that, aren't I?
If they can't pass a car there, then they shouldn't try and pass me. So they should only overtake me if there are two lanes.
I am in the right to do that, aren't I?
If they can't pass a car there, then they shouldn't try and pass me. So they should only overtake me if there are two lanes.
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
The key benefit is if you annoy them, they can't pretend they haven't seen you.
Thankfully in the UK, we have the right to take the lane - so long as we don't slow to 5MPH and deliberately wobble about.
I think the threshold is 10MPH to be able to cross the white line on a trunk road.
Thankfully in the UK, we have the right to take the lane - so long as we don't slow to 5MPH and deliberately wobble about.
I think the threshold is 10MPH to be able to cross the white line on a trunk road.
BigTom
Well-Known Member
Yes, you're right to do that, if you don't think a car can safely pass you, you should take the lane.
Rule 163 of the highway code says drivers should give at least as much space as they would a car and has a picture showing a car passing on the other side of the road.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I am doing it now on the sofa.
You can do that but personally I wouldn't as I feel it is more dangerous as people will pass even more dangerously sometimes. Maybe shift 1/3 out rather than into the middle of the lane.
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
If it's a narrow road and they can still pass you, it's dangerous. The point of riding out in the middle is to make dangerous overtaking impossible.
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
You're not 'right' (as if that matters) because you made the situation more dangerous for yourself.
Well, he didn't manage it, he just made passing even more dangerous. That's why I was saying, I wouldn't do it, not that it's inherently a bad idea, but unless you can definitely remove all possibility of passing, better just to signal that you don't want to be passed but still leave it as safe as possible to pass. But obviously where I cycle the roads are different so what works here might not work there.
pissflaps
i've got a headache in my pants...
lane-taking should be dictated by road conditions, be they engineered (fucking pinch points ala railton road) or situational (cars parked/stopped along the left of a narrow road requiring you to position yourself so as to avoid being doored). Either way, taking the lane is going to result in you putting yourself at the least amount of risk, so do so with impunity. If whoever's behind you wants to get pissy, let them, they're not going to run you over, no one is that stupid. It's your road too, so use as much of it as you see fit.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
No I didn't, I made it safer for me
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
You made the car's pass more dangerous than it would otherwise have been. Increased risk of collision and more danger for you.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Yes! This was on Romney Road in Greenwich if anyone knows it
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
No, I made it impossible for them to pass me, then later, when it went to to two lanes, they passed me dangerously just to intimidate me. They had loads of room to pass me safely in this instant
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I think we need to take the lane aggressively and be less meek
fredfelt
Mostly unknown member
I think it's called 'the primary position'. I find that when I hug the kerb I get plenty of dangerous overtakes, on one stretch of road particularly by HGV's who think there's enough room for me, their lorry and a vehicle coming the other way. When I get overtaken and given very little room I start to blame myself for loosing concentration and getting close to the kerb.
IMO it's always better to take the primary position. It's easier to take it if you cycle relatively fast.
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
You would never have had the (well deserved) intimidation pass if you hadn't done the rolling road block act so you did make things more dangerous for yourself.
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
There speaks someone from a country where they make you wear a silly plastic hat and ride in a "cycle lane" even if it's in the door zone.
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
Also, women should wear modest clothing to prevent rape.
pissflaps
i've got a headache in my pants...
^ this is some of the worst advice i have read on this thread.
you're a bit of a twat rally aren't you?
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Sounds like classic victim blaming here.
Why did I 'deserve' to be passed too closely?
Onket
Je suis [CONTENT REMOVED]
I think this pretty much sums it up.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
If you are walking on a narrow pavement and a wobbly and slow old lady is teetering in front of you, do you slow down and patiently wait til you can pass her without alarming or endangering her, or do you tut loudy and sigh until she lets you pass or do you even shoulder her out of the way rudely? Only one of these behaviour is acceptable, isn't it?
