Cycling UK Forum

reohn2 wrote:I can see the argument for not undertaking/nearside passing,by car drivers as overtaking is supposed to be on the offside so when that rule is abandoned by cyclists things become confused.

I appreciate I'm quote mining a small part of a long post, but I don't think that is actually a "rule". Someone else posted on the last page an excerpt from the Highway Code which actually tells motorists to watch out for cyclists who might be passing on either side.

Zigster wrote:

reohn2 wrote:I can see the argument for not undertaking/nearside passing,by car drivers as overtaking is supposed to be on the offside so when that rule is abandoned by cyclists things become confused.

I appreciate I'm quote mining a small part of a long post, but I don't think that is actually a "rule". Someone else posted on the last page an excerpt from the Highway Code which actually tells motorists to watch out for cyclists who might be passing on either side.

I've gone back two pages and can't find the HC quote you mention,but that said,if the word 'rule' was exchanged for 'accepted normal overtaking manoeuvre' would that be better?
There's no excuse for opening car doors by any occupant into any other road user whichever side they're on.

Zigster wrote:

reohn2 wrote:I can see the argument for not undertaking/nearside passing,by car drivers as overtaking is supposed to be on the offside so when that rule is abandoned by cyclists things become confused.

I appreciate I'm quote mining a small part of a long post, but I don't think that is actually a "rule". Someone else posted on the last page an excerpt from the Highway Code which actually tells motorists to watch out for cyclists who might be passing on either side.

There's also a couple of places where the Highway Code tells motorists that they may pass other vehicles on the left in certain situations.

Hi,
Cyclist not other traffic-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway ... 159-to-203
Rules for cyclists (59 to 82)
The Highway Code rules for cyclists, including an overview, road junctions, roundabouts and crossing the road.

"Rule 163
Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should
•only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do so
•stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left"

"Rule 65
Bus Lanes. Most bus lanes may be used by cyclists as indicated on signs. Watch out for people getting on or off a bus. Be very careful when overtaking a bus or leaving a bus lane as you will be entering a busier traffic flow. Do not pass between the kerb and a bus when it is at a stop."

"Rule 72
On the left. When approaching a junction on the left, watch out for vehicles turning in front of you, out of or into the side road. Just before you turn, check for undertaking cyclists or motorcyclists. Do not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left."

"Rule 73
Pay particular attention to long vehicles which need a lot of room to manoeuvre at corners. Be aware that drivers may not see you. They may have to move over to the right before turning left. Wait until they have completed the manoeuvre because the rear wheels come very close to the kerb while turning. Do not be tempted to ride in the space between them and the kerb."

Other vehicles-
"Rule 268
Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake."

http://www.highwaycode.info/rule/163
Rule 163

Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should
•not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake
•use your mirrors, signal when it is safe to do so, take a quick sideways glance if necessary into the blind spot area and then start to move out
•not assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle
•move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking, once you have started to overtake. Allow plenty of room. Move back to the left as soon as you can but do not cut in
•take extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance
•give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or other obstructions on your side of the road
•only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do so
•stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left
•give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211 to 213 and 214 to 215).

http://www.cyclelaw.co.uk/overtaking-an ... st-cycling