A car driver asking you guys as riders...

camshaft

Hey guys, first post.
I haven't taken up cycling yet but am getting interested so now I browse your forums when I'm bored.
Here's what I'm wondering....

I'm driving on a backroad, low speed limit, and there's a guy on a bike in front of me going pretty fast, although obviously not car speed. So I want to pass him, but at the same time I don't like hanging out in the oncoming lane, and add this to him moving pretty fast and I have to really hit the throttle to pass him. But I'm wondering whether to the guy on the bike I just seem obnoxious by hitting the gas and quickly zooming by him.

sorry if this sounds like a stupid question.

Austin

circuitweed

If it were me, I'd appreciate the motorist waiting until it's safe to pass. I don't really care how long it takes the car to get around me, as long as it doesn't put me at risk. I think most cyclists are reasonably comfortable if you pull over at least a half lane when you pass, or at least that seems to work for me. When I'm riding in a bike lane, I rarely get even a half a lane distance between me and the cars.

Ultimately, I think it's just a matter of doing what is safest for the person who doesn't have several thousand pounds of armor and air bags surrounding them.

If a car is stuck behind me for very long, I'll do my best to pull over in a safe place and let them go by.

M2cycler

what u did is the only logical thing to do. there is no point spending unneccessary time in the opposite lane.

JoeRider

Personally, I'd rather have you pass me. Not sure why, but having a car sitting behind me for any length of time makes me nervous. As long as there is a safe amount of distance between yourself and the cyclist, how fast you pass really isn't to much of an issue(unless clouds of rolling tire smoke make it impossible for anyone to see, which is not the case i'm sure).



Just wanting to know our oppinions means you have nothing to worry about I'm sure.

JR

bioguy

If I speed up and attempt to draft you don't get angry. I can't stand being dropped

Honestly--what you do is the best. Safest for you, safest for me. Too bad not everybody understands as well.
-Bioguy

treebound

Camshaft,

Pretty much the norm here, when driving I hang back a bit at least two car lengths or more depending on the speed and road conditions, then when clear I move over at least half a lane or fully into the oncoming lane and just roll the throttle open instead of stomping on the gas. Too much gas makes it sound like a driver is mad and in a hurry, but a simple roll open of the throttle makes it sound like it's all part of a day's drive and nothing big to get bothered about. A little wave with the hand while keeping your eyes on the road and in the mirror is also always nice. And don't be in a hurry to get back into your own lane as long as the road is still clear, just a gradual meander into the oncoming lane to pass and a gradual meander back into the correct lane to continue on. Nice and smooth and easy. Of course the more eratic the cyclist or the more hectic the road will need some adjustment. A decent cyclist is always aware of road conditions and traffic and will hopefully work to allow traffic to pass when conditions allow it.

As a cyclist while riding I've sometimes held a hand down for a following motorist to let them know it isn't clear to pass, then wave them by as soon as it is clear. They may not be able to see what I see coming up, and I may also be getting ready to dodge some debris or broken glass or huge pothole or dead deer on the roadway or shoulder that the motorist isn't necessarily aware of.

A bicycle is a vehicle and should be ridden as such, a cyclist on the roadway should also be given the same respect and driving courtesy as shown to other drivers as well. Of course we all know there are daily exceptions to the rule, I get tailgated daily in my pickup while driving the freeways around here while I'm driving the speedlimit.

On the road, safety pays, both for the cyclist and the driver. Common sense, simple common sense.
Thanks for asking.

jhuskey

I agree with most of the above statements.
Pass only when safe. If you have to swerve back too quickly it could be dangerous.
I too don't like a car behind me for a long time and never ever blow your horn even as a friendly gesture. It will scare the hell out of you if the car is close and it is illegal in my state to do so.I have tried to catch a few ,not so friendlies, that did it to me to startle me.Even when angry its hard to catch a car.

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Whenever I can't get excited about riding I just fantasize about someone else's bike.

Geonz

I agree, I'd rather you get by me fast and safely. I tend to be more nervous when I'm the driver than when I'm the rider.

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newsace

My preference as a rider is to at least hear the car slow down, so I know they've seen me -- after that, hit the gas and go on by (quickly or slowly, doesn't matter). What bugs me is cars that blast by at or above the speed limit, without so much as lifting off the gas. They may be passing with plenty of room, but I feel more comfortable when I know for sure they're aware of me.

mike

circuitweed

It's also kind of annoying when you're going the speed limit, or over the speed limit, and a car passes you anyhow.

el Inglés

Just so long as they give you room when they pass I don´t care how fast they do it , in fact the less time they take the less chance for a mistake that will affect me , I try( ?!? ) to respect the law , let the police deal with the morons who don´t ( and I´m sorry to say that does include cyclists at times )
The law obligates cars to leave AT LEAST 1,5 mts clearance when overtaking , as in the last Three years we´ve had two members killed ( one riding the hard shoulder and the other a head on accident still , under investigation , by a pensioner in a van driving on the wrong side of the road , see www.ucbclub.org ) that does not help over much , most observe but it only needs one ......
Today I had to overtake a lorry parked on the hard shoulder , narrow busy road , and the traffic slowed to allow me out and then waved when I yelled thanks , so there are a lot of good people out there , but you only need one bad apple ..........

ps both José Alberto Sánchez Martín and Mariano Víctor Lara ( may they rest in peace ) were wearing helmets at the time of their deaths , in good visibility and wearing club clothes ( very visible - see web site )

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