How do you deal with people overtaking too close

blackpoolkev

I use the "get whet you give" technique. It works like this - When you become aware of a motorist behind that you are holding up, make eye contact (they then know that you know they are there, rather than just riding along in your own world).
Here comes the clever bit - just as the road opens up and they have the opportunity to overtake, give a friendly wave to acknowledge their patience. They then feel obliged to repay your courtesy and 99% of the time give you more room than usual and often wave back at you for being so considerate.
They started off being annoyed with you for holding them up but finish up being impressed with your road manners.
Everyone's a winner!
Try it, it really does work.

class5700

^^^+1 and imo the battle is to be won after the overtaking happens. as they drive away they will reflect on the experience and even if they had shook a fist or beeped their horn etc (or worse!) good manners from the cyclist may go some way to modify their behaviour in future.

(the same is true for cyclists using bad manners as well of course.....!)

slowbike

Biomech wrote:

That's what the LBS said, use common sense.
But what if the traffic is moving but slower than you are on the bike? Would passing on the left or weaving be considered "illegal"?

You are traffic ...

unless there is a bus or bike lane that you can ride in you should only pass on the right hand side. Don't weave and if it's not safe to overtake properly then don't, just ride slower. We expect cars, lorries & busses to slow up for us so we should do likewise when the situation arises.

+1 for the waving thanks to the driver who has been waiting patiently behind you (although not the one who has been sat there for 5 miles missing loads of opportunities to pass - then wave thanks at the guys waiting behind him).
I do tend to holler at those who pass to close but try and avoid rude gestures or calls (I don't always manage!). Those that hoot or drive aggressively past you will be aggressive, if they stop then you are more likely to end up with a violent confrontation.

larkim

Biomech wrote:

A bloke at work responded saying "you don't pay road tax"

There's no such thing - it's a vehicle emissions duty. So unless you've had a dodgy curry the night before, you're pretty exempt :P

Actually, that's not true - its called Vehicle Excise Duty, though the rates at which it is charged are related to emissions.

Pituophis

If I am genuinely shocked by a near miss, then unfortunately I don't always have full control over what comes out of my mouth. :oops:
But after a few early confrontations and my advancing age, I realised that my scrapping days a probably long since past, and now try and accept bad driving with a zen like calm. People who throw things at me as they pass are the exception to this rule though, and I would probably chance it if I thought I could catch them! :evil:
Young lads who shout "Thbjhkh jhj kuuhgy iiujserrsst jygyhfh" as they pass just make me laugh, as I have absolutely no idea what they're on about.

I do try to win over motorists by waving my thanks when people wait for me at pinch points etc, and I do wave them past if I can see the way is clear for them, which usually gets a wave or a toot back.
In my short few years riding on the road, I have seen both motorists and cyclists do some genuinely mental things, but there's no doubt who comes off worse if it all goes wrong, so I just try and be courteous and try and get a few to think of us a bit more positively.

Biomech

unless there is a bus or bike lane that you can ride in you should only pass on the right hand side. Don't weave and if it's not safe to overtake properly then don't, just ride slower. We expect cars, lorries & busses to slow up for us so we should do likewise when the situation arises.

See that's why I'm asking some people are saying pass on the left, some pass on the right, some always on the left.

It makes sense to me to pass on the left in stationary traffic (drivers expect you on the left more than the right) and to pass on the right in moving traffic.

But what if it's stop/start? You might pass a moving car only to end up behind stationary cars. Cutting across the front obviously wouldn't be a good idea.

As for troublesome drivers (and anyone I see on their phone) I'll report them with my go pro footage

HebdenBiker

blackpoolkev wrote:

Here comes the clever bit - just as the road opens up and they have the opportunity to overtake, give a friendly wave to acknowledge their patience. They then feel obliged to repay your courtesy and 99% of the time give you more room than usual and often wave back at you for being so considerate.
They started off being annoyed with you for holding them up but finish up being impressed with your road manners.
Everyone's a winner!

Excellent advice. I do this all the time.

Sometimes, if I'm passing someone in a really nice car, I'll stop and say "that's a really nice car mate" and have a little chat with them. Like the immaculate, vintage convertible Jag XJS I passed at the lights tonight. But maybe that's taking "spreading the love" a bit too far

Biomech

"Here comes the clever bit - just as the road opens up and they have the opportunity to overtake, give a friendly wave to acknowledge their patience. "

Just to clarify, I'm a newb, I think I've only been out 5-6 times now.

But I did that last time, I can't say that it categorically "made a difference", but it made me feel like I was doing more and I did notice a few "hands up" of thanks from some when I waved them through

Mind you, before that I had 2 people drive on the wrong side of the road to over take me - yes I had plenty of room, but this is a notorious S bend, almost double 90 degree with zero visibility. Unreal. I have it on camera and am collecting instances of such encounters :P (http://goo.gl/e3VvIV the hedges are much taller and very overgrown now)

... just to be clear, they didn't over take before the bend, they drove around the bend on the wrong side of the road

slowbike

Biomech wrote:

unless there is a bus or bike lane that you can ride in you should only pass on the right hand side. Don't weave and if it's not safe to overtake properly then don't, just ride slower. We expect cars, lorries & busses to slow up for us so we should do likewise when the situation arises.

See that's why I'm asking some people are saying pass on the left, some pass on the right, some always on the left.

It makes sense to me to pass on the left in stationary traffic (drivers expect you on the left more than the right) and to pass on the right in moving traffic.

If stationary then it's filtering - pass whicheverside has more room, but be careful as other road users and pedestrians may not see you.
If they're moving and it's one lane then pass on the right - that is what is written in the Highway code.

Biomech wrote:

But what if it's stop/start? You might pass a moving car only to end up behind stationary cars. Cutting across the front obviously wouldn't be a good idea.

Then whicheverside has more room - but I'd be very wary of passing on the left - depends how much room there is.

Biomech wrote:

As for troublesome drivers (and anyone I see on their phone) I'll report them with my go pro footage

yer .. ok .. or just try to enjoy your riding ... there are f*ckwits everywhere.

cougie

Slowbike wrote:

Biomech wrote:

As for troublesome drivers (and anyone I see on their phone) I'll report them with my go pro footage

yer .. ok .. or just try to enjoy your riding ... there are f*ckwits everywhere.

Very true. Don't waste your time pointing out everyones misdemeanours. Save it for the outrageous ones that thankfully happen very rarely.

gibbers82

Some great points here guys thanks alot.

The main thing i have learnt in 6 weeks of riding is that you are going to get idiots on the road and there isnt too much you can do about it. Either you let it wind you up and ruin your ride or you just get on with it.

If someone is waiting behind me for ages i always try now to give them a signal thanking them.

I think on country roads people are a bit more aware of cyclists, its the main roads i find to be more of a problem.

Biomech

I actually quite enjoy looking at the video after a ride :P It only takes a few minutes to edit out the idiots - which I'm doing for a project anyway. I'd rather take 5 minutes to report a dangerous driver than have to go out knowing they are out there ready to mow someone down. (I don't mean everyone, only the really bad ones and people on their phones which is a pet hate)

cougie

My top tip is try not to lose your temper with a driver. I've done this (and my riding companions have) and theres been a couple of occasions where the driver has tried to take us off the bikes.

Its not worth getting killed over - no matter how stupid the driver was.

Mikey23

I got all confrontational once... It didnt end well

awavey

Biomech wrote:

unless there is a bus or bike lane that you can ride in you should only pass on the right hand side. Don't weave and if it's not safe to overtake properly then don't, just ride slower. We expect cars, lorries & busses to slow up for us so we should do likewise when the situation arises.

See that's why I'm asking some people are saying pass on the left, some pass on the right, some always on the left.

but it depends on the road and the way the traffic is moving thats why, theres no right/wrong answer you have to constantly pick based on circumstances which option is safer for you, I dont like overtaking on the right because the roads Im on, it would force me often into conflict with oncoming traffic,so not good, and queues usually ease up quickly and Ive found I get stranded with vehicles starting to undertake me. So I stick to the left if theres room,stop if there isnt, and even stop if there was room but taking that space would likely still put me in conflict with the way the traffic is moving and using the road.

but other people on different roads, may find their options ares totally different and its safer to pass on the right.

BLW

I usually mutter some obscenity under my breath but at times have also resulted to shouting and waiving a not so lady like gesture... I'm hasten to admit but when some inconsiderate moron has nearly put you in hospital it does bring out the worst side in oneself!

As for folk harping on about cyclists not paying road tax, well I do thank you very much, that's what I'd say to that, just because I'm a cyclist it doesn't mean I don't pay my taxes like everyone else, annoys me that motorists should make such a sweeping statement towards us.

ps. I'm also a horse rider and I'm afraid to say we don't get the pass wide slow treatment, I'd say 3 out 10 cars do, pretty much on par really.

Peddle Up!

Manc33 wrote:

Ones that drive right on my back wheel for 2 miles when they could pass me any time annoy me more. Or ones that need 6+ feet between you and them to pass (same thing).

When I'm driving I always allow enough room to accommodate a cyclist should they fall over sideways into the traffic. And yes, that can be six feet. Chains snap, gears jam as do cleats.

If you watch police drivers, this is generally the line they take too,

Pituophis

Saw the classic example last night while out on a ride.
A guy was cycling with his mates, but a little behind them. A motorist overtook him but then turned immediately left into a garage.(How many times have we all been in this situation?!) As there was a car stopped just onto the forecourt, the driver had to slam on the brakes to avoid it, and our mate ran straight into the back of the car as he had no time to react. A quick trip over the handlebars followed. He "seemed" to be ok, though a little stunned. What he feels like this morning is another matter though.
The motorist was genuinely sorry and concerned about the cyclist, but as we know, it's no good being sorry once the damage is done. :evil:

chemicalviking

I had a police car practically on my wheel yesterday , then a 4x4 reverse out from the left into the road causing me to put the brakes to good use. I then looked his way and just shook my head as I rode past. This driver decided to then overtake way to close then shout something then pull over in front of us, the police car was still behind at this point and decided to take no action against this driver who was acting very aggressively and they just overtook us and drive away. Pathetic driving , stupid policing . The driver was way OTT and could of escalated.

All we try and do at the end if the day is go out and ride a bike , I'm left puzzled how this makes people angry.

frisbee

chemicalviking wrote:

I had a police car practically on my wheel yesterday , then a 4x4 reverse out from the left into the road causing me to put the brakes to good use. I then looked his way and just shook my head as I rode past. This driver decided to then overtake way to close then shout something then pull over in front of us, the police car was still behind at this point and decided to take no action against this driver who was acting very aggressively and they just overtook us and drive away. Pathetic driving , stupid policing . The driver was way OTT and could have escalated.

All we try and do at the end if the day is go out and ride a bike , I'm left puzzled how this makes people angry.

Because as soon as they get in a car they cease to see people as humans, especially ones wobbling around on skinny tyres, who can't afford proper clothes and don't have a gut so large they haven't seen their genitals in years.

If you disguised yourself as a pizza box or TV or an iphone they would take extra special care to avoid ploughing into you!

me-109

Shout, swear and gesticulate! Like today with the f##king pr1ck that cut me up approaching some speed humps - completely oblivious to the fact he had another 25ft of caravan tagged onto the back of his car. I was able to get past and remind him about it!

cougie

Yeah that tends not to end well when you get a nutter in a ton of metal.

owen21

try to restrain myself...fail, shout stuff or chase after them lol in town theyll eventually get caught at lights etc and in the countryside if i have gravity on my side then im usually quicker. Unless theyre a rally driver lol! Not violent but its interesting to see what they say, gives me a laugh and helps my sprint and jump training.

kingrollo

A drastic solution - if you don't mind looking an ass - is the hermans safety flag

http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/p ... afety_wing

I used to use one while commuting - it folds away - and I just used to unfold it on a particular stretch of road where I encountered a few close passes - I felt better with this - of course I wouldn't dare turn up to the club run with it !!!

THE_GREAT_GONZO

You could always buy a head cam and film your rides. I GoPro every ride; if some driver acts like a complete tw@t I've got video evidence if things get lairy :twisted: my local community "bobby" is a roadie himself so takes more than a passing interest in serious complaints from two wheelers.

Living in a foreign country where Queens English isn't the first language is the least of my riding problems, so swearing has no effect. Most "local" drivers here have rudimentary understanding of actual road driving; nothing like a driver overtaking you whilst indicating right only to turn left right in front of you :x :x and the keep indicating right until he is out of sight!

gibbers82

Well after about 2 months of cycling 3 times a week i had my first real close call last night.

I am used to people come past me close but i never feel that unsafe, yesterday evening a car came past me and it felt like they were deliberately trying to push me off the road, i could feel the air from the car on my leg.

From what i could see it was some really old bloke in a Corsa, not being ageist but some of these old drivers should not be on the road.

Trying to not let it get to me but it has worried me now i have seen how unaware some drivers can be, i had my rear light flashing and my high vis fluro jacket on plus it was still light.

I guess its just part of road cycling !

norvernrob

gibbers82 wrote:

Well after about 2 months of cycling 3 times a week i had my first real close call last night.

I am used to people come past me close but i never feel that unsafe, yesterday evening a car came past me and it felt like they were deliberately trying to push me off the road, i could feel the air from the car on my leg.

From what i could see it was some really old bloke in a Corsa, not being ageist but some of these old drivers should not be on the road.

Trying to not let it get to me but it has worried me now i have seen how unaware some drivers can be, i had my rear light flashing and my high vis fluro jacket on plus it was still light.

I guess its just part of road cycling !

I think you get close passed by different drivers for different reasons. Elderly ones just don't seem to see you, one passed me so closely the other week that I was banging on his window.

Works vans seem to be worst for me, not putting everyone in the same basket but a high percentage seem to be filled with meatheads who either think it's amusing to close pass, or are in such a rush they can't bear to wait 5 seconds to speed past.

I found a new 'thing' for me yesterday though, school run drivers. I went out straight after work for a training run and was heading home just after 3pm. I was close passed twice, one of them a very close skim where the driver immediately swerved outwards just after passing me - it seems they didn't actually see me until they were already past or alongside!

There's no point getting angry about it though. I shout 'f*ck me" or "f*cking hell" the same as most people, but I don't dwell on it.

Initialised

I punched a bus this morning, that's one was of dealing with close passes. I would have missed if it'd given me enough room.

cougie

Clearly the bus was too close - but I wonder if the driver realises this or does he just think - that cyclist punched my bus ? Bloody cyclists ?

fudgey

It happens pretty much every time i go out n the bike it seems.
I now ride at least a meter from the side, unless its narrow country lanes that i try to stick to as much as possible.

One morning i was riding to work approaching a mini roundabout, indicated and took the position to the right of the lane and as i put my hand back on the bar to turn a woman in an audi a3 overtook me on the roundabout, as i lent over i had to push of her front wing to stop myself from going in front. That shit me me up i shouted and waved my arms - she didnt stop.
Would have slowed her down approx 3 seconds to let get across the roundabout.
I seen her a few times since and waved, but again she just carries on. Got the reg etc but whats the point in reporting it. My word against hers and all that.

I also had some asshole on a route i used to take every time he passed me on the same stretch of road he was sooo close, honda accord estate. Well one time i was in the car and overtook him, and purposefully swung in just past the front of his car... He didnt like that very much i can tell you!

Its just a part of life, try to make yourself as visible as poss just get on with it, its not worth loosing sleep over.

I