On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 11:58:15 +0000, Peter Clinch
<
[email protected]> wrote:
>james g wrote:
>> Whats your take on undertaking (overtaking on the inside)?
>
>As with most questions asked on Usenet, the answer is "it depends".
>
> > Is it even legal?
>
>Certainly. There's nothing at all wrong with undertaking in traffic, everyone does it all the time
>(motor vehicles and cycles). However, just because it's perfectly legal doesn't necessarily mean
>you've been seen doing it. As with any overtaking on either side, proceed only after judging it to
>be safe and worth your while.
While it is legal, just because everyone does it all the time doesn't make it so. Pedantry aside, be
very careful when taking the inside line, especially going on the inside of large vehicles. Watch
out too for pedestrians crossing berween lines of stationary motor vehicles whilst you whizz up
between them.
>
> > What about when there is a mandatory/advisory
>> cycle lane?
>
>I didn't realise there was any such thing as a mandatory cycle lane, but in any case if the way is
>clear and any signs and signals don't forbid it, you should be able to proceed, whether you're in a
>cycle lane or on a road.
Mandatory cycle lanes refers, I think, to those with solid white lines separating them from the rest
of the carriageway. The mandatory element means motor vehicles Must Not drive or park in them.
Advisory cycle lanes have a broken white line. Motor vehicles shouldn't park or drive in them
"unless it is unavoidable" (HC rule 119).
As cyclists we are free to use or ignore them. When undertaking both the motorist and (in my case)
the cyclist tend to switch off from each other. This can be dangerous when the cycle lane ends.
>
>> I sometimes find that motorists anticipate bikes coming up the inside (i live in Cambridge) and
>> so position themselves to the right making it difficult to overtake conventionally.
>
>Try and plan ahead. I only overtake or undertake when I can see a clear space I'm going to move to,
>as that way I'm unlikely to get trapped in a vulnerable spot. I'll pass on whichever side looks
>safest in that particular situation. It does vary.
For me I favour the outside line, but I'd agree with the planning ahead bit. Looking behind is also
a good move - beware other two wheeled traffic doing the same as you.
Tim
--
fast and gripping, non pompous, glossy and credible.