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I recently overheard someone talking about how the lane assist in their new car tried to stop them from safely passing a cyclist. It tried to force them to stay

I recently overheard someone talking about how the lane assist in their new car tried to stop them from safely passing a cyclist. It tried to force them to stay in the lane. As a cyclist it made me wonder how many of the close-passes I experience, where drivers just full on don't change course and blast past me with inches to spare, are actually due to the car not wanting the driver to move out of the lane.

cjrp 7y ago
The lane assist in my car (Skoda/VAG) has that behaviour, but only if you're not indicating.
- jamiethompson 7y ago
  That'll be what it is. In my experience as a cyclist it's unusual for drivers to indicate to overtake a cyclist even when do do move fully over into the other lane.
throw0101a 7y ago
> It tried to force them to stay in the lane. I think this is because the driver was being a bit lazy and didn't bother turning on the signal. If you indicate intent, then the system won't think you're messing up. But a lot of folks simply half-change lanes when passing cyclists and then go back. As a motorcyclist the half-change is annoying since (a) you're blocking both lanes, and (b) if they did a full lane change I could zip past since I can fit quite comfortably next to the bicyclist.
- Starwatcher2001 7y ago
  Am I misunderstanding something here? You want a car driver to pull into the outer lane so that you can undertake him between the cycle and car? I'm a biker and that sounds suicidal to me. The drivers next move would be to move back into the inner lane, right into you. I've got no problem with your complaint about them half-changing and blocking both lanes, it's the concept of nipping between them, knowing full-well their next move will be back in.
  - throw0101a 7y ago
    Yes, I can see that. It depends on the circumstances if I consider it: if there's a bit of a caravan/peloton/group of bicyclists, then it's more useful. If it's just a lone pedaler then the car will move back and zip forward since it will not have an unobstructed lane, so there's not point in trying to get a head.
  - jamiethompson 7y ago
    I thought this too. As a cyclist I'd be absolutely terrified if a motorcyclist did this and I've never experienced such a maneuver. Bikers are generally the best behaved around cyclists.
- switch007 7y ago
  > I think this is because the driver was being a bit lazy and didn't bother turning on the signal. If you indicate intent, then the system won't think you're messing up. (UK) My instructor taught me to judge each situation. An indicator might cause more confusion. There is definitely no rule in the Highway Code that states you must always indicate. A system which relies on such an assumption is defective.
  - throw0101a 7y ago
    > (UK) My instructor taught me to judge each situation. An indicator might cause more confusion. If you're intending to cross a lane marking you should signal. Under what circumstances would this not be true? > Rule 103: Signals warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians (see ‘Signals to other road users), of your intended actions. You should always: use them to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-techniques-and-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-t... Isn't going into another lane, even partially, a change in course or direction?
    - switch007 7y ago
      You only partiality quoted 103. Quoted fully, it shows it's not at odds with my instructor's advice. Especially points 1 and 2 However I do stand corrected as code does say that you must always indicate if you are changing course or direction. "Signals warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians (see ‘Signals to other road users), of your intended actions. You should always - give clear signals in plenty of time, having checked it is not misleading to signal at that time - use them to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off - cancel them after use - make sure your signals will not confuse others. If, for instance, you want to stop after a side road, do not signal until you are passing the road. If you signal earlier it may give the impression that you intend to turn into the road. Your brake lights will warn traffic behind you that you are slowing down - use an arm signal to emphasise or reinforce your signal if necessary. Remember that signalling does not give you priority."

cjrp 7y ago

The lane assist in my car (Skoda/VAG) has that behaviour, but only if you're not indicating.

jamiethompson 7y ago
That'll be what it is. In my experience as a cyclist it's unusual for drivers to indicate to overtake a cyclist even when do do move fully over into the other lane.

throw0101a 7y ago

> It tried to force them to stay in the lane. I think this is because the driver was being a bit lazy and didn't bother turning on the signal. If you indicate intent, then the system won't think you're messing up. But a lot of folks simply half-change lanes when passing cyclists and then go back. As a motorcyclist the half-change is annoying since (a) you're blocking both lanes, and (b) if they did a full lane change I could zip past since I can fit quite comfortably next to the bicyclist.

Starwatcher2001 7y ago
Am I misunderstanding something here? You want a car driver to pull into the outer lane so that you can undertake him between the cycle and car? I'm a biker and that sounds suicidal to me. The drivers next move would be to move back into the inner lane, right into you. I've got no problem with your complaint about them half-changing and blocking both lanes, it's the concept of nipping between them, knowing full-well their next move will be back in.
- throw0101a 7y ago
  Yes, I can see that. It depends on the circumstances if I consider it: if there's a bit of a caravan/peloton/group of bicyclists, then it's more useful. If it's just a lone pedaler then the car will move back and zip forward since it will not have an unobstructed lane, so there's not point in trying to get a head.
- jamiethompson 7y ago
  I thought this too. As a cyclist I'd be absolutely terrified if a motorcyclist did this and I've never experienced such a maneuver. Bikers are generally the best behaved around cyclists.
switch007 7y ago
> I think this is because the driver was being a bit lazy and didn't bother turning on the signal. If you indicate intent, then the system won't think you're messing up. (UK) My instructor taught me to judge each situation. An indicator might cause more confusion. There is definitely no rule in the Highway Code that states you must always indicate. A system which relies on such an assumption is defective.
- throw0101a 7y ago
  > (UK) My instructor taught me to judge each situation. An indicator might cause more confusion. If you're intending to cross a lane marking you should signal. Under what circumstances would this not be true? > Rule 103: Signals warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians (see ‘Signals to other road users), of your intended actions. You should always: use them to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-techniques-and-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-t... Isn't going into another lane, even partially, a change in course or direction?
  - switch007 7y ago
    You only partiality quoted 103. Quoted fully, it shows it's not at odds with my instructor's advice. Especially points 1 and 2 However I do stand corrected as code does say that you must always indicate if you are changing course or direction. "Signals warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians (see ‘Signals to other road users), of your intended actions. You should always - give clear signals in plenty of time, having checked it is not misleading to signal at that time - use them to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off - cancel them after use - make sure your signals will not confuse others. If, for instance, you want to stop after a side road, do not signal until you are passing the road. If you signal earlier it may give the impression that you intend to turn into the road. Your brake lights will warn traffic behind you that you are slowing down - use an arm signal to emphasise or reinforce your signal if necessary. Remember that signalling does not give you priority."