4 ms·

Biking, I'm perpetually baffled by the people who drive up behind me, overtake me, and seem to forget I'm there before they even finish passing me. The worst c

Biking, I'm perpetually baffled by the people who drive up behind me, overtake me, and seem to forget I'm there before they even finish passing me. The worst case is when they expect to turn right soon; I consistently have drivers half-overtake me and then start moving towards me, or turn right across a bike lane without looking.

wahern 8y ago
For a stretch of a few hundred feet (like a city block) where you'll both likely come to a stop, do you prefer cars overtake you beforehand or to trail behind? Do cars trailing you make you anxious? I don't think I've ever forgotten about a biker I've passed, but I also like to avoid situations where I might forget, which put the biker in a position to surprise me, or which impede my maneuverability if something else happens. But while I'm okay poking along for a block, if there's traffic behind me then that could result in an impatient driver overtaking both of us, which could be far worse. It's a tricky balancing act.
- analog31 8y ago
  I'm an avid urban cyclist. My preference is for you to behave the same way as if I'm driving a car. Pass me if you can. If you're alongside me, a gentle tap on my brake will get rid of you quickly enough. ;-) I will admit to having a mildly "political" motive, in that I would like drivers to have a positive experience dealing with cyclists. So I'm probably more courteous than the bare minimum required by the traffic laws. I get out of the way if I'm backing up traffic, whether driving a car or riding my bike. My general preference is to find routes where there's minimal car traffic.
  - Casseres 8y ago
    > I will admit to having a mildly "political" motive, in that I would like drivers to have a positive experience dealing with cyclists. Me too, except the other way around. I will make sure there is a ton of room before merging in front of a bicyclist, and I will give them the full lane on a two lane road when passing them even if they're hugging the curb. When riding on the streets, they are given the same legal protection as any other vehicle. I just wish that every bicyclist also knew that they have to follow every law a car does too - including stopping at red lights and stop signs.
    - analog31 8y ago
      Oh, we know. :) Just like car drivers know about the speed limit and texting.
- kqr 8y ago
  I don't agree with the practice, but a lot of bicyclists will readily pass car drivers around intersections (because cars are bulky and take much longer to safely navigate through an intersection) so you rarely lose /that/ much by poking around a block or two. Either way, it sounds like you've given it a lot of thought so you're likely the least of my worries. Just imagine it would be your child on the bicycle and you'll probably do the right thing. (Short of picking them up -- don't do that.)
- adrianN 8y ago
  I prefer that you stay behind me until it's safe to pass (that is, you can change lanes to pass) and I won't see you again thirty seconds later at the red light.
CalRobert 8y ago
I think this is caused by drivers who think "cyclist == basically not moving" when in reality cyclists can be doing a pretty good speed, ~20mph isn't rare. Most drivers haven't ridden a bike since they were kids, though. When I took my driving test in Ireland the examiner marked me down for checking for cyclists and simply said "there won't be any cyclists doing 20kph" - which of course is a very normal cycling speed.

wahern 8y ago

For a stretch of a few hundred feet (like a city block) where you'll both likely come to a stop, do you prefer cars overtake you beforehand or to trail behind? Do cars trailing you make you anxious? I don't think I've ever forgotten about a biker I've passed, but I also like to avoid situations where I might forget, which put the biker in a position to surprise me, or which impede my maneuverability if something else happens. But while I'm okay poking along for a block, if there's traffic behind me then that could result in an impatient driver overtaking both of us, which could be far worse. It's a tricky balancing act.

analog31 8y ago
I'm an avid urban cyclist. My preference is for you to behave the same way as if I'm driving a car. Pass me if you can. If you're alongside me, a gentle tap on my brake will get rid of you quickly enough. ;-) I will admit to having a mildly "political" motive, in that I would like drivers to have a positive experience dealing with cyclists. So I'm probably more courteous than the bare minimum required by the traffic laws. I get out of the way if I'm backing up traffic, whether driving a car or riding my bike. My general preference is to find routes where there's minimal car traffic.
- Casseres 8y ago
  > I will admit to having a mildly "political" motive, in that I would like drivers to have a positive experience dealing with cyclists. Me too, except the other way around. I will make sure there is a ton of room before merging in front of a bicyclist, and I will give them the full lane on a two lane road when passing them even if they're hugging the curb. When riding on the streets, they are given the same legal protection as any other vehicle. I just wish that every bicyclist also knew that they have to follow every law a car does too - including stopping at red lights and stop signs.
  - analog31 8y ago
    Oh, we know. :) Just like car drivers know about the speed limit and texting.
kqr 8y ago
I don't agree with the practice, but a lot of bicyclists will readily pass car drivers around intersections (because cars are bulky and take much longer to safely navigate through an intersection) so you rarely lose /that/ much by poking around a block or two. Either way, it sounds like you've given it a lot of thought so you're likely the least of my worries. Just imagine it would be your child on the bicycle and you'll probably do the right thing. (Short of picking them up -- don't do that.)
adrianN 8y ago
I prefer that you stay behind me until it's safe to pass (that is, you can change lanes to pass) and I won't see you again thirty seconds later at the red light.

CalRobert 8y ago

I think this is caused by drivers who think "cyclist == basically not moving" when in reality cyclists can be doing a pretty good speed, ~20mph isn't rare. Most drivers haven't ridden a bike since they were kids, though. When I took my driving test in Ireland the examiner marked me down for checking for cyclists and simply said "there won't be any cyclists doing 20kph" - which of course is a very normal cycling speed.