Re: Cycling to work yesterday (Friday).


"Martin Dann" <martin.dann@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote >I was cycling to work
yesterday along a section of the

I was cycling in the middle of the left lane, before the left turn lanes
appeared, doing approx 25-30mph.

I heard a horn behind me. I glanced behind to see the driver gesticulating
wildly for me to pull over to the left and get out of his way.

I have been experimenting with my road positioning lately, and find that I
get buzzed less when I am in the middle of the lane. Is it really safer?
(I pull more to the left on slower bits).


I've seen an annoying trend where some drivers seem scared of crossing the
white lines between lanes to pass a cyclist, especially if they're 'no
overtaking' stripes or white hatching. so they'll squeeze you to alleviate
their conscience.

Also if I'm going the same speed as traffic there's still a 'get past'
mentality, rather than just holding back. If it's in a 30 they want to get
past but don't want to be seen as breaking the limit. When I'm in the car
I'll hold back from passing a cyclist (I've cycled since childhood, and
driven for 19 years so don't suffer from bigotry either way), and find
myself being tailgated. Some people just need to learn some patience.

As for positioning, I always use the primary when I'm approaching and
stopped by lights, and don't follow the temptation of squeezing down either
side for a position advantage on set-off. I don't want someone pulling up
another vehicle at the side of me in such a vulnerable place. Once I'm
moving properly again it's back to the secondary. I sometimes cycle with a
friend who uses secondary all the time at lights, and when he's pulled ahead
I've nearly seen him killed twice at the same 'T' junction - the only answer
is to make it impossible for someone to get past.
I always use the primary of the correct lane at roundabouts. As far as I am
concerned I want to be as wide as possible. Some drivers see a three lane
roundabout as an overtaking system - of cars as well as cycles, I'm not
going to make their life easier.

Nigel


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: OK, heres a plan
    ... of assigning "passing lane" status to the left lane, ... speed limit and enjoy the speed and power of their car. ... out of state drivers to resort to road rage tactics! ... cars drive in the right lane, it becomes so congested that nobody can ...
    (rec.motorcycles)
  • Re: Mega-MFFY
    ... > either very inattentive drivers, or you're just making this stuff up. ... >> a four lane road behind another driver. ... I should have driven 60mph in a 40mph zone to satisify this van driver ... >> This is the road environment in which I drive and ride. ...
    (rec.autos.driving)
  • Re: OK, heres a plan
    ... I seriously doubt that there are a lot of drivers in your area who are ... the left lane bandit, no space at all for the left lane bandit to move ... When traffic is moving 5 to 10 mph on the Ventura Freeway, ... Some people *would* try to drive at race track speeds if they could ...
    (rec.motorcycles)
  • Re: OK, heres a plan
    ... of assigning "passing lane" status to the left lane, ... Out of state drivers have learned to drive in states with KRETP laws ... because there are drivers going 100 mph on California ... joins the freeway for a few miles. ...
    (rec.motorcycles)
  • Re: Driver refusing to yield, best approach?
    ... I see poor merging happen all the time when ... right-hand through lane should move over to the left. ... 90+% of USians with current drivers' licenses would fail. ... The way the traffic laws are written and interpreted in most states seems to ...
    (rec.bicycles.misc)