Post
by max1966 » Tue Apr 30, 2013 3:45 pm
If you look at the highway code;
66
You should (as a cyclist)
...................................
never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
not ride close behind another vehicle.....................
be considerate of other road users........................
163 (as a driver)
...................
give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car
166 (as a driver)
DO NOT overtake if there is any doubt, or where you cannot see far enough ahead to be sure it is safe. For example, when you are approaching
a corner or bend
a hump bridge
the brow of a hill.
167 (as a driver)
.......................
stay behind if you are following a cyclist approaching a roundabout or junction, and you intend to turn left
Personally as an enthusiast cyclist I ride at weekends with a mate. We tend to ride in twos. If and when it is apparent we are holding someone up unnecessarily we will slip back into 1's to let the traffic by on minor roads but where there are two full carriageways we are not inconveniencing someone who has to use the other carriageway to overtake in a safe manor. After all if we were a slow moving vehicle eg a tractor a car would have to be patient if it is not clear to overtake.
Drivers who overtake and turn left immediately have to be the most annoying but the most dangerous are the ones who don't look ahead to assess where they will catch you and then decide at the last minute it isn't safe to pass, or worse dart out and cut back in, they invariably lean on the horn braking wildly. We yell at them and they curse in return, no-one benefits.
Riding in a larger group is another matter. I have done some and anything over 10 riders gets to be a real inconvenience due to the length of the train. I do not think however that there is anything against it in the HC but I understand the frustration it can cause. Then again if each driver plans a safe overtake in a timely fashion it reduces the chance that a queue will form. If you think of say a combine harvester where is the difference, other than the driver will probably move over or be heading into a nearby field.
I'm sure the key is for more drivers to cycle and become aware of the benefits and risks of cycling, equally for cyclists to be considerate. Any riding in groups I have done has been safely, my biggest gripe is when just riding and being barracked for occupying the carriageway I'm entitled to, whether singly or in two's.
if evolution don't take care of it, redesign it
Don't you just wish the guy on the bike was a wee bit handy and gave the van driver the lesson of his life 
We have a high % of drivers who are also keen cyclists so keen to hear reactions to this kind of incident and how many wear cameras when out and about ?
