How far from the kerb/path/hedge?

tomb08uk

Hi,

I will soon be cycling more frequently on the road (main roads) and I usually try and stay as close to the side of the road as I can but I find sometimes I nearly end up clipping the kerb and on the other end, I don't want to be hit by a car!

As when its heavy ran pot holes can fill with water and its easy to think its a puddle when in fact its a big pot hole so especially when raining its best to stay further from the kerb.

Does anyone have any good advise on riding on roads, with regards to how close to stay from the kerb?

Thanks for reading,
Tom

roger_merriman

don't hide in the gutter, for one sharps and potholes hide there, 2nd this will encourage close overtakes, ride where the left wheel of a car would go, it's smoother and is much less likely to have broken glass, gravel etc.

oh and have fun, and don't worry....

Jay dubbleU

I usually stay about 1m out from the edge of the road - this is for two reasons - first I avoid potholes, drain covers etc and second because it makes me more visible to vehicles which have to overtake properly rather than trying to squeeze past

always_tyred

+1 for the drain cover guideline.

As you get more experienced, you'll adjust your road position to different circumstances. In some cases its helpful to take the lane to stop passing, in others it my be better to get out of the way as much as possible (e.g. if the road is wide and fast enough that cars are going to pass you anyway)

The Chingford Skinhead

Not sure if you are in uk mate but if you are I recommend two things. Cycle training uk do good training programmes and lots of councils pay for a big discount or free first session. second buy Cyclecraft by John Franklin to learn about riding in primary & secondary riding positions. Never stay too close to kerb, give way markings as you pass side streets or parked cars. Latter two are real danger zones.

Stay safe mate and good luck

tomb08uk

Thanks all!

The Chingford Skinhead - Yes I am based in UK, plan to ride from my home to my work in Gloucester, on the A40 which is a pretty busy road!

Thank you for the kind advice.

Dropzone-dog__

As said above the guidelines depend on circumstances.

If riding past parked cars then do not try & squeeze as close to them as possible.

Somebody somewhere will open one into your path & cause you to swerve into following traffic. Therefore take up a position in your lane which prevents other road users from overtaking unless they have room to move into another lane in order to safely do so.
The above is called primary position.
On a dual carriageway then stay out of the gutter but, do not delay the journey of other road
users by taking up a position which forces them to attempt a dangerous overtake.
The above is called secondary position.
Generally speaking in urban areas where there is a high volume of traffic going on both sides of the road adopt a primary position to prevent dangerous overtakes.
In rural areas a secondary position becomes more applicable.

Hope that together with everybody elses advice helps.

DiggingDeeper

What part of the A40, bits of that road are pretty nasty?

I live in London now, but I come from Cheltenham originally and know the A40.

I am not trying to put you off, just interested in your route.

biondino

If you're riding at the pace of ambient traffic, take primary position. Occasionally you'll get beeped at if cars perceive you as being in their way but likely they're just being impatient, so hold your ground (unless patently unsafe to do so). The more calm and zen you can be re other road users, the happier and safer you'll be!

Feltup

I was told by my friend on the weekend that he thought I cycled too far to the left on country roads and should sit out more. His theory is that it gives you an extra foot on the left for evasive manouvres when the idiot does cut in too close. I have taken his advice and moved further out. The funny thing is that I hadn't noticed myself moving over to the left on the lanes, most other roads I sit further out. Make sure cars have to think about overtaking you rather than just moving past, there is a difference in mindset for the driver.

roger_merriman

with regards to country roads, i tend to be much further out as one can merge into the foliage, plus if one gets suprised by a sharper than expected turn, you are not going to end up on the gravel.

in single track lanes i take the middle ish moving in if a car wants to pass etc. same if your walking in narrow shaded lanes a person can disapear into the hedge/walls etc.

tomb08uk

DiggingDeeper wrote:

What part of the A40, bits of that road are pretty nasty?

I live in London now, but I come from Cheltenham originally and know the A40.

I am not trying to put you off, just interested in your route.

Ross-on-wye to Gloucester will be the route...

Cheltenham huh, I work in Gloucester!

spasypaddy

i personally (depending on the road of course) sit in line with where a passenger sits in the car. But thats my personal preference and i only ride there if im doing pace, this afternoon i was seriously lagging so i sat a bit nearer the kerb, but still not near it and clipping it.

snooks

The Chingford Skinhead wrote:

second buy Cyclecraft by John Franklin to learn about riding in primary & secondary riding positions

+1 buy the book, read it, pass it onto a friend

You don't have to ride in the gutter, ride where you feel safest, if thats 1 meter from the edge away from Iron work and slippery lines so be it. if it means riding out further to avoid more ironwork/sunken potholes you are allowed to and drivers should expect you to do so...the fact they don't means they aren't very good drivers and the haven't read the highway code...but such is life.

btw from the highway code:

"213

Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make."
from
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069858

DiggingDeeper

tomb08uk wrote:

DiggingDeeper wrote:

What part of the A40, bits of that road are pretty nasty?

I live in London now, but I come from Cheltenham originally and know the A40.

I am not trying to put you off, just interested in your route.

Ross-on-wye to Gloucester will be the route...

Cheltenham huh, I work in Gloucester!

Some pretty fast sections there then...................... :shock:

jimmypippa

Feltup wrote:

I was told by my friend on the weekend that he thought I cycled too far to the left on country roads and should sit out more. His theory is that it gives you an extra foot on the left for evasive manouvres when the idiot does cut in too close. I have taken his advice and moved further out. The funny thing is that I hadn't noticed myself moving over to the left on the lanes, most other roads I sit further out. Make sure cars have to think about overtaking you rather than just moving past, there is a difference in mindset for the driver.

I'd agree with your friend. As has been also said, it might also make you more visible too.

auBrn

I usually ride about 1m out from the kerb but not afraid to ride in the middle of the lane when its safer to do so!

jedster

I almost never ride closer to the kerb than 1m. I'd only do so briefly to take evasive action.