Passing other cylists

[JudyO]

This morning while I was waiting for the light to cycle at a very large intersection (intersection of two fast 2-lane roads, plus lots of turning lanes tacked on) another cyclist came up behind me. I said good morning and he commented on how cold it was (it was 3°C this morning when I left the house, probably the coldest morning so far this fall). Anyway, I had been waiting there for quite a while since I got there just as it turned red in my direction. Just before the light changed for us he passed me (between me in the bike lane, and the car waiting beside me) so he could, you know, get clipped in and moving and halfway through the intersection before the light actually changed. Ok, I'm a girl, and I ride a smaller bike, and I don't have as much money to spend on gear as you. But geeze, you have no idea how fast I am since you caught up to me while I was stopped at a (really long) light. Anyway, since I don't like to play passing games, especially when I'm moving along beside traffic which is going way faster than me, I just stayed behind him in the bike lane. He was only going little slower than I would normally have gone, so it wasn't really worth the effort of trying to pass him. I followed him for about 2 km until I merged over to make a left off the main road.

I only started commuting by bike in July; I'm a cycling newbie. But I've done the 27 km round trip almost every day so far in August, September, and now October. I'm a lot stronger now that when I started. When I pass people I only do it if I've caught up to them on the road, I'm obviously faster than them, and it's safe to pass. I would never pass someone at an intersection if I didn't know how fast they were going to be.

So, more experience bike commuters, could you please enlighten me as to the proper etiquette in situations like this?

I know, I know, I should just ignore it and not let it bother me.

On a funnier note, I finally fell off my bike on Wednesday night (for the first time since I got it at the end of June). I think it's because I bought eggs at the grocery store and tied them onto the top of my bag on my rack so they wouldn't get crushed inside my bag. Of course I fell, and two of the eggs broke. *lol* Curb 1, Judy 0. Pretty funny really. I have some road rash on both my knees, and a small patch on my chin. I made my husband take a picture when I got home with all the blood running down my legs. Real pretty. And I look like such a dork with all my cycling stuff on. The camera's at home, so I can't post the picture. Oh well. I may post it next week when we get back home from the long weekend (Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!).

[aadhils]

I don't do this, but it seems that the typical pass is to always pass on the left, and scream 'on your left' at them. (I do pass on the left though)...

[ghettocruiser]

It sounds to me like a race was declared somewhere in there.

Next type re-pass and drop the guy like a bad habit :)

</bad advice>

[elbows]

In general I think it's rude to pass someone if you can't hold a faster pace than they can. But passing people at lights is a little tricky -- of course you don't know how fast they are, but you also don't want to be stuck behind someone slow if you can help it.

Personally, I will usually make gross generalizations based on the type of bike the person is riding, clothing, etc, and base my decision on that. :)

However, if I do pass someone (whether at a light or on the road), I do my damndest to stay ahead of them -- it's not only polite, it's a matter of pride at that point. ;-)

[Hoshnasi]

Well first off when someone passes you and they continue to ride a relatively nice pace, Good for you! Free drafting!

Secondly, if you want to pass make a statement like "on the left" and go for it. Be smooth and try and wait for a break in the auto traffic.

[sotirios]

The proper etiquette is for you to pass him again as soon as possible, as fast as possible, while coasting, and using one hand to adjust your helmet straps or something.

[JudyO]

The proper etiquette is for you to pass him again as soon as possible, as fast as possible, while coasting, and using one hand to adjust your helmet straps or something.

LOL. I'll keep an eye out for him and do that next time.

[ekimeno]

The proper etiquette is for you to pass him again as soon as possible, as fast as possible, while coasting, and using one hand to adjust your helmet straps or something.

Ha! I noticed a guy every morning playing overtaking games on the road - always on the drops of his road bike in an aero position. He's always shooting off at the lights and being very serious. This morning I decided to stay on his back wheel to see how fast he really was...started off going about 25mph from the lights, then slowing down to about 20mph.

I laughed - his aim seemed to be just about getting ahead of everyone, but couldn't keep it up. I drafted him at 20mph for about 5 mins, then at the next set of lights I dropped him and he stayed dropped! All in good fun. ;)

[ducati]

I think people worry too much about perceived "etiquette." If you're faster than him, pass. Preferably, as the above poster mentioned, while looking very relaxed. Perhaps scratching your ass while taking a gulp of water from your bottle, while checking your Polar monitor. Or something. LOL.

[hairlessbill]

This happens to me a lot here on my commutes. I will get to the light first and then a bunch of riders will pile up next to me or wherever. When the light turns green there's a mad sprint for the crossing. This is just a bike path crossing the street but you'd think it was the last 100 meters of the Tour De France.

I usually just let everyone get ahead of me - I'm just getting to/from work. It still annoys me; I was at the intersection first so why do I end up last or behind someone who got there after me? If I get there behind someone else then I wait for them to clip in and get started ahead of me. I try to maintain the 'order' that was started when we lined up. Never works but I feel better about not being such a type-A as your typical Boulder rider. So we play accordian game around here as we hit each make the next light in some random order and the whole madness starts over again.

Oh yes, when I do pass everyone up the hill I make sure to sit straight up, whistle while I pass them, fix my helmet, and pedal like we're riding the flats. And I usually say 'Hi' too.

[DataJunkie]

Yup. Say hi while eating a sandwich. :)

I also let them pass. No need to read much into this. If I pass them later, I pass them later. This takes too much thinking.

[Novakane]

When I pass people I only do it if I've caught up to them on the road, I'm obviously faster than them, and it's safe to pass. I would never pass someone at an intersection if I didn't know how fast they were going to be.

Someone did a similar move on me last week. There was a winding bit of MUP that crossed at the edge of an intersection. As I slowed to check for traffic before crossing, they blew past me on the left while I was rolling through.

My solution was to draft them for the next 5km and then dropped them when it was safe to pass.

[khuon]

I may be in the minority here but I believe what he did was not actually passing but in fact cutting you off. If he arrived behind you at a light then he should have stayed behind you until both of you were moving and if he felt he was moving too slowly and could be going faster, then initiated a safe pass by signalling (visually and verbally) and then overtaking you on the left. For your part, etiquette would dictate that you could also do the same to him but that's at your discretion since you have already stated that you didn't feel too bothered by the pace and that it didn't seem worth the effort to pass him.

[DataJunkie]

That actually makes sense.
Especially, considering that I usually stay in line.

[JudyO]

I may be in the minority here but I believe what he did was not actually passing but in fact cutting you off. If he arrived behind you at a light then he should have stayed behind you until both of you were moving and if he felt he was moving too slowly and could be going faster, then initiated a safe pass by signalling (visually and verbally) and then overtaking you on the left.

That's what's bugging me about it. I felt like I was cut off at the intersection (although I wasn't actually moving yet when he went around me, since the light was still red in our direction). I would have stayed back behind him if I'd come to the intersection behind him, then passed him if I felt he was too slow once we were actually moving. That's what I usually do, and what I expect of others. Oh well.

When I moved over to turn left the light was also red. He noodled around in the right lane, bike lane, and part of the other intersection doing little circles so he wouldn't have to unclip. He was about halfway across the intersection when the light actually turned green for him.

[elbows]

One situation in which I will always pass someone at a light is if they are stopped right next to the lead car (or even further back). That's prime right-hook territory, and there's no way I'm going to stop there. Especially not behind someone whose speed and riding style are completely unknown to me (i.e. they could do a slow, wobbly start, leaving me boxed in with a car turning right).

When I filter to the front in traffic, I always get ahead of the first car -- at least far enough that I know they can see me. I think it's the only safe way to do it.

Now if you have a crowd of cyclists assembled at a light, you can't all be in front of the first car, but as long as the first people are forward enough to be visible, I would think the whole pack is safe. Around here, though, I usually only see 1-2 other riders at a light.

[bmclaughlin807]

I have one *****monkey in particular that pisses me off... if I'm running about 10 minutes later than normal, I'll catch him on a really wide, straight road. He's going about 17 mph, I pull into the traffic lane, and pass him, usually at about 19-20 mph, and keep up my pace... About a half mile down the road I almost always hit a red light, and here he comes flying past me and runs the red light to get ahead of me again. (He speeds up to pace me EVERY time I pass him, and follows me a little ways back)

So this continues for about 3 or 4 miles, him passing me every time I stop for a red light or stop sign, until our paths split and we go different directions.

One time I stopped at a stop sign at a T intersection... after the stop sign, you cross and get onto a bike path where the other road WOULD be if there was one... I accelerate towards the cut in the sidewalk to get up onto the path, and he comes flying across the street running the stop sign and nearly collides with me as we head for the same cut in the sidewalk.

ARGH!

[HardyWeinberg]

I think he cut you off too.

People on the bike path here tend to line up at intersections in the order they arrive. I don't pass people after intersections until by the time I'm up to full speed they're still going slower than me.

There are people who stop at intersections even though they have the right of way and wait for cars to I don't know stop and flash their lights or something. I am more aggressive than that, or should I say I appreciate keeping traffic flowing. Maybe this should go in the confessions thread... but anyway, I still don't pass them mid x-walk or whatever even when they're doing that!

[Novakane]

That's what's bugging me about it. I felt like I was cut off at the intersection (although I wasn't actually moving yet when he went around me, since the light was still red in our direction). I would have stayed back behind him if I'd come to the intersection behind him, then passed him if I felt he was too slow once we were actually moving. That's what I usually do, and what I expect of others. Oh well.

When I moved over to turn left the light was also red. He noodled around in the right lane, bike lane, and part of the other intersection doing little circles so he wouldn't have to unclip. He was about halfway across the intersection when the light actually turned green for him.

If one where to do this with a car, it'd be a dangerous situation - passing in an intersection is illegal in most places, AFAIK. Riding circles at an intersection doesn't sound too safe either. Seems like the kinda person to stay away from - an accident waiting to happen.

[chipcom]

OK this guy was one of them morons who can't stand to unclip and assumes he's the fastest thing on the road. No biggie, don't sweat it. Personally, if I am sitting at a light with other riders, I feel it's good manners to let them start first. You can always pass them if you need to, but you also have the opportunity for some riding company and/or conversation with them if you ain't in such a danged hurry. Another perk of this approach is if the other rider happens to be of the opposite sex...the view from behind might be worth appreciating for a few moments at least. :D

[ekimeno]

About a half mile down the road I almost always hit a red light, and here he comes flying past me and runs the red light to get ahead of me again.

Yeah, I hate it when other cyclists don't obey the rules of the road. I've tried talking to them if I catch them to let them know that all they're achieving is an increasingly negative view by many car drivers. This usually results in them telling me to f-off. Fair enough - I know I'm not a cop amd I don't have any business telling you where you went wrong, but damn it, I feel responsible for all cyclists and I'll stand on my soap box if I want to! :mad:

Rant over...:o

[knobster]

Yup. Say hi while eating a sandwich. :)

I also let them pass. No need to read much into this. If I pass them later, I pass them later. This takes too much thinking.

I agree. I go my pace. If it's faster than yours, then you're getting passed. If not, then I'll be behind you. Pretty simple. My wife on the other hand... Ugghhh... I'll be behind her and we'll have our nice steady pace. We pull up to someone and she'll stay behind them at a slower pace.. That's when I ask her if she's waiting for an invitation.. She's just not aggresive enough or is it I'm too aggresive???

[CliftonGK1]

I make a left at a very large intersection on my commute. Left hand turn lane (of 3 lanes my way, 2 lanes opposing) onto a 2-lane each direction cross street. There's a guy that I've encountered a few times who never waits for the green turn arrow. Instead, he'll wait for a break in the opposing traffic, cut across into the corner parking lot, hit the sidewalk until there's a break in the oncoming traffic (since he's on the sidewalk riding against traffic,) cut halfway across the road and ride the center-lane left-turn median until a break in the right lanes opens up, and then shoot across to the curb-side lane.
I know he cuts into the lot for the MUP entrance, but I've not managed to catch him yet to tell him he's giving all of us a bad name by riding like his evening commute is a scene from Quicksilver.

[AlmostTrick]

You people are lucky. I wish I had someone to pass or be passed by on my commute. :(

[UmneyDurak]

I don't think he passed you. He just started earlier then you. Personally I don't have a problem with it.
I have a funny story. I was ridding to work today, and was going over this overpass. Just taking it easy. It really is just a bump on the road compared to the climbs I usually do. Anyway I pass this guy on a mountain bike riding on a sidewalk (I was on the road). Get to the top, next thing I know he passes me pedaling his little heart out. Passed me, slows down, and keeps taking glances behind at me. On "descent" I had to apply breaks not to pass him. Where would be the fun in that? On the flat picked up speed to about 25, when I passed him I just did a bunny hop for fun and gigles. Anyway I got a kick out of it.

[banerjek]

I may be in the minority here but I believe what he did was not actually passing but in fact cutting you off.

I agree. I'm a pretty fast commuter and I'm one of those nuts who is always trying to improve my speed. However, if I see a cyclist waiting at a light, I always pull in behind because I know there are people faster than me out there and someday I'll meet one of them when I'm commuting.

If you feel someone is holding you back, calling out and passing is the courteous thing to do in my opinion. However, people should let a cyclist who is already in front ride a few yards so they can see who is actually faster before attempting a pass.

Maybe a handful of times, I've had people pull the stunt you mention on me. There's a personality that goes along with someone who cuts you off, so I don't feel too guilty about doing something fun with them. It's clear to me that some guys in full disco kit don't like being dropped by someone on a steel touring bike with fenders and maybe panniers, but there's absolutely nothing they can do about it if they passed when they shouldn't have. :D

If you don't feel like provoking a race but feel like you are being held up, you might just ride about 5m behind the other cyclist. That's close enough that any reasonable rider would probably either want to pick up the pace a bit to create space or hang back for a few seconds to let you through.

[dbg]

I ride home from the train station through some nice residential and campus scenery with several stop signs. Recently at a stop sign while I waited my turn with car on left and right, some moron cyclist came up behind me and blew right through --forcing both other vehicles to stop abrupty. So there I am feeling sheepish while both cars just sat there and waved me on through. It was like they were saying, "Go ahead *****hole and join your buddy."

[rknj]

Honestly, the "getting an early start and clipping in" isn't really an etiquette issue, it's a survival issue. If the cross traffic is stopped, I'm going, I want to be ahead of the car or at least even by the time I reach the curb so he doesn't cut it close and force me to stop or take the sidewalk. Besides, you never know when you'll get that freak clipless fall and I'd much rather the car behind me still be stopped than moving if it happens.

As far as feeling cut off, or passed without justification.. that's when you drop him.

[rocks in head]

there's an easy way to prevent that: don't stop... just run it!!

I've been passed a few times like that... I tried to keep up, but the dude dropped me. I caught up again at another light, but let him go first.

I passed a guy riding a x-mart bike on the road the other day. 2-lane, 2-way road with no vehicle traffic. He was riding hands free in that kind of slouched position. I called out 'on your left' and proceeded to pass him... he sees me catching up with him and swerves left to let me pass on the right and I yell "on your LEFT" and swerved too, since he would have caught my front tire at that point.

Anyway, I made a left turn after that so didn't get a chance to drop him.

[R-Wells]

That's what's bugging me about it. I felt like I was cut off at the intersection (although I wasn't actually moving yet when he went around me, since the light was still red in our direction). I would have stayed back behind him if I'd come to the intersection behind him, then passed him if I felt he was too slow once we were actually moving. That's what I usually do, and what I expect of others. Oh well.

When I moved over to turn left the light was also red. He noodled around in the right lane, bike lane, and part of the other intersection doing little circles so he wouldn't have to unclip. He was about halfway across the intersection when the light actually turned green for him.

I agree he cut you off.
You dont pass at a red light.
If he was half way across before the light changed he ran a red light.

[Paul L.]

When I moved over to turn left the light was also red. He noodled around in the right lane, bike lane, and part of the other intersection doing little circles so he wouldn't have to unclip. He was about halfway across the intersection when the light actually turned green for him.

Here in the great state of pushing the red Arizona he would become a statistic rather quickly doing that.

[Ritehsedad]

Its all out war I tell ya!!!! Put em in the ditch if you can! :D

OK, not really.

[newbojeff]

This happens all the time around here. For some reason, Boston cyclists follow the last-to-the-light-front-of-the-line-rule. Pisses me off.

This morning, I was waiting at an intersection at which a police officer was directing traffic against the lights. I'm on a road bike with panniers and I have one guy on a wally world come up on my right and stop in front of me and then a second guy come up on a MTB on my left and stop in front of me. The first guy was a joke. Took off doing like 10 MPH. The second guy went fast. I passed him, but he passed me again by making some not-so-safe traffic maneuvers. Not sure what drives this behavior.

[noisebeam]

Here in the great state of pushing the red Arizona he would become a statistic rather quickly doing that.
:)
Yep. Hesitating at green light and watching that x-traffic is fully stopped is survival. I have several videos of 2-3 cars crossing intersection when I have green.
I prefer to line up with the cars and go with the line, then move right if and when it becomes safe. I don't like being in front of line. In 2yrs. I have seen three different cases of lead car being taken out by a car being pushed into them from a left turner/red light accident. Once I got on video.
Al

[Bklyn]

Well, I wouldn't take it so hard. Most people just don't want to clog things up. If I pull up at a light, I'm assuming that I'm faster than most there. It's hardly scientific, but you survey the scene and make a guess. If there's a 20-year-old guy with full racing kit and clipless pedals, I'll assume he'll bolt as soon as he can. The older gentleman with the huge panniers and the tweed jacket — I'm betting he isn't as interested in moving so quickly. I'm sure that as a woman with a "small bike" (?), you may be the victim of false impressions. Apparently, your guy was wrong.

[Blue Order]

Recently at a stop sign while I waited my turn with car on left and right, some moron cyclist came up behind me and blew right through --forcing both other vehicles to stop abrupty.I find that so hard to believe. All those guys who blow stop signs/lights swear that they always yield. :rolleyes:

[HardyWeinberg]

This happens all the time around here. For some reason, Boston cyclists follow the last-to-the-light-front-of-the-line-rule. Pisses me off.

They do that in cars too there.

[SingingSabre]

:)
Yep. Hesitating at green light and watching that x-traffic is fully stopped is survival. I have several videos of 2-3 cars crossing intersection when I have green.
I prefer to line up with the cars and go with the line, then move right if and when it becomes safe. I don't like being in front of line. In 2yrs. I have seen three different cases of lead car being taken out by a car being pushed into them from a left turner/red light accident. Once I got on video.
Al

I once called in a semi-truck to his company who blatantly ran a red (had plenty of time to slow down during the yellow). Felt good. Tucson just doesn't need any more red light runners, so any I can find and have a good number to call, I will.

OP, I, too, feel you were cut off. Next time, drop 'em. If you are really angry, fart when you get in front of 'em.

[Cassave]

You people are lucky. I wish I had someone to pass or be passed by on my commute. :(

Yeah. Me too. I commute 5 days a week year round (SoCal) and I'm lucky to see another rider
once or twice a month, if that.
Weekends however, that's another story...........

[Bikepacker67]

Sounds to me that Judy was punked by the knave (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=151356&highlight=Knave).

Now she has to hunt him down like Ahab chasing whales, if she ever hopes to regain peace of mind.

.

[noisebeam]

Tucson just doesn't need any more red light runners
To those wondering why us AZ folks think about red light runners, its because AZ has the highest US crash and highest fatality rate due to red light running at 7.1/100,000 people. It is not just #1, but leads by nearly a 2x margin over the 2nd highest state (Nevada) which is at 3.9/100,000.

By city the data is even more disturbing (if you live in phx)
phoenix rate is 10.8/100,000
mesa is 7.8/100,000
tuscon is 7.6/100,000

Al

[Bklyn]

Wow. Those statistics are nuts. In New York, we have significantly delayed green lights, which I never noticed as a driver but are plain as day when I'm on a bike. That helps get through the intersection. Also, there's no right on red in New York City, either. That also helps us on bikes.

[noisebeam]

Wow. Those statistics are nuts. In New York, we have significantly delayed green lights, which I never noticed as a driver but are plain as day when I'm on a bike. That helps get through the intersection. Also, there's no right on red in New York City, either. That also helps us on bikes.
To be fair, the data I gave is ~yr.2000, with some reduction in rates since then due to red light camera installment and ticketing. But despite this AZ still does lead the nation. (I can't find current data, otherwise I'd have used that) NYC as I understand has a high red light running violation problem, but not a signficant death/accident issue, primarily as running in the city comes from opportunity and at relatively lower speeds (vs. inattentiveness and speeding in AZ), with resultling fewer accidents and those that do happen not as serious.
Al

[The Human Car]

To be fair, the data I gave is ~yr.2000, with some reduction in rates since then due to red light camera installment and ticketing. But despite this AZ still does lead the nation. (I can't find current data, otherwise I'd have used that) NYC as I understand has a high red light running violation problem, but not a signficant death/accident issue, primarily as running in the city comes from opportunity and at relatively lower speeds (vs. inattentiveness and speeding in AZ), with resultling fewer accidents and those that do happen not as serious.
Al

For 2004 I show AZ fatality rate at 4.7 (6th worst) that’s a big improvement. Florida now has the lead with 7.01 bike fatality rate. I posted my spreadsheet here if anyone wants to look at the numbers: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=220373

FWIW In Baltimore no cyclists died in 2004 so that gives us a great fatality rate but our injury rate for cyclist’s is 264/million. :(

[gear]

I like to go my own speed; I pass if I'm faster and don't try to kill myself if I'm not. If someone goes by me so be it. But I do get a kick out of people who make a show of blowing by me then find some reason to turn off after they find they can't keep up their pace to stay ahead. One time a guy blasted by me in front of a line of stopped cars; I just figured the guy was fast and forgot about but a little while later I caught up to him struggling up a hill (I never catch people on hills). He did the same thing when he got over the hill and I again ended up right behind him on another hill. He actually pulled off the road to let me go by. Of course by this point I had figured he wasn't so fast but just trying to make a show, as I passed him he offered up an excuse "I'm riding a single speed you know" (we hadn't exchanged any words before this). Between his show and his excuse I was a bit anoyed by him so I told him "his single speed excuse was good, but I am twenty years older and thirty pounds heavier and now I'm gonna drop him" and I did.

[noisebeam]

For 2004 I show AZ fatality rate at 4.7 (6th worst) that’s a big improvement. Florida now has the lead with 7.01 bike fatality rate. I posted my spreadsheet here if anyone wants to look at the numbers: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=220373

FWIW In Baltimore no cyclists died in 2004 so that gives us a great fatality rate but our injury rate for cyclist’s is 264/million. :(
I looked at the sheet which is great data.
But to be clear, what I was reporting on above was red light fatalities (all vehicles) per 100,000 population
The 4.7 figure you note for AZ is bicycle fatality rate per 1,000,000 population.

These are two completely different statistics that can not be compared.

(As to cyclist fatality rate there is an interesting analysis I read which explained why 'warm' states like AZ, FL have higher rates. Simply it is because people are cycling year round. If I find it I'll link it here.)

Al

[Chris L]

You people are lucky. I wish I had someone to pass or be passed by on my commute. :(

I don't. Traffic is chaotic enough already without adding more random particles to the mix.

In answer to the original question: don't overanalyse. It's just traffic and traffic by it's nature is like this. Cars cut off cyclists and other cars, cyclists cut off each other, and even pedestrians have been known to get into it on the footpath. Having read the traffic legislation here (and even having a copy on my hard drive), I'm not convinced that any of them have a clue what the law actually says. Given the apparent reluctance of the police to enforce the law, situations like that which the OP described don't surprise me at all.

Consequently, I don't give ettiquette a second thought on my commute anymore. I just try to read the traffic situation as best I can and respond in whichever way I consider appropriate. It's all well and noble to try to see the situation from the viewpoint of the other cyclist or the driver, but that viewpoint won't get you home alive -- and nor is that consideration likely to be returned. When I come to a set of lights, I simply look at the traffic situation, look at where the vehicles at the front of the queue have positioned themselves in the lane and read what they are going to do, then position myself accordingly. If some other cyclist or driver wants to charge through in front of me, or if they take exception to what I've done, it's their problem - not mine.

Screw 'em and follow your conscience.

[Chris L]

To those wondering why us AZ folks think about red light runners, its because AZ has the highest US crash and highest fatality rate due to red light running at 7.1/100,000 people.

Is that all? I don't have any official statistics, but on what I observe on a daily basis, I'd be surprised if the rate in this city wasn't at least ten times that.

[Topher_Aus]

Theres an offroad path that's next to a main road. There's a set of traffic lights just before the start that means theres often about 6-10 cyclists bunched up together. It does sometimes turn into a little sprint race- but I think it's kind of fun. People do tend to get at the front, even if they come late. It does bother me a bit as well, but I think people are getting better.

[ken cummings]

This topic reminds me of something that almost always happens when I am at intersections, whether a club ride or just commuting. I am a big, heavy guy with a big heavy bike and thick fast-twitch quads. And as a constant commuter I do not like to dawdle through intersections. When it is clear to go I am usually through the intersection and putting my shoes in the toeclips while I still hear hotshots behind me still clicking in. I then have many of the club members pass me in the next half mile. At the next stop I filter thru the group and do it again. I just get nervous behind a bunch of weekend riders going way slow in a high threat situation.
When it comes to commuters I try to chat with them if I can stay with them. If they are Roadie types I ask to draft them. If they are so utterly new to riding that I feel they are a danger to me I mention the local club beginner rides and LAB safety classes then drop them.