passing car question.

[maddyfish]

When I am passing a car, which side should I pass on? On a 4 lane road, with the car in the right lane, it's obvious, move to the passing lane and pass on the left. On the same 4 lane road with the car in the left lane, I' pass in the lane I'm in, usually the right.
But on 2 lane roads which side should I pass on? My riding is mostly urban with 15 and 25 mph speed limits. 2 lane and 4 lane roads. Most 2 lane roads have parking on the side of the street.

[Winter76]

You should pass on whatever side is safer. For the most part drivers will expect cyclists to pass on the right and it's usually best to be as predictable as you can,

[SonataInFSharp]

Hmmm, I am sort of confused. The speed limits are 15 to 25mph? Most cyclists can hit 15 to 25 without even working, so if you are passing, are you implying that you are exceeding the speed limit? Speed limits apply to cyclists, too, and I know several cyclists who have received speeding tickets, just FYI.

If you are not speeding and you want to pass cars because they are turning, sight-seeing, lost, lots of traffic, etc, then pass on the side that is safer based on what you predict they are going to do. If you can't predict what they are going to do (turn into a parking lot, etc), then don't pass at all.

If you are trying to pass them simply because the speed limit is too slow for you, then you shouldn't be passing them in the first place...

[sggoodri]

Don't pass on the right where drivers can, and might, turn right. Also, don't pass on the right within reach of car doors that might open from the parking lane, and be aware that passenger-side doors of cars stopped in the travel lane sometimes open unexpectedly for disembarking passengers. (Note: if the mob is active in your area, the car may not be stopped when the passenger disembarks.)

Don't pass on the left there drivers may turn left.

In short, think twice before doing something you wouldn't do in a car, or on a motorcycle.

[Bekologist]

(continuing Sgoodri's line of reasoning)..... and in traffic jams, don't pass big traffic backups either- right you need to get stuck in traffic just like the cagers. just suck tailpipe and ride slower than you want, to show those cagers you mean business....


However, In my opinion, take advantage of the unique operating abilities of a bicycle~

pass the cars, pass the cars, pass the cars.

do it safely.

i usually pass on the left. split the lane, pull across the stripe, pass in the median, pass them in the opposite lane- but do it safely.

split lanes. you can even pass slow traffic in a bike lane

do it hands free, just to look nonplussed. maybe sipping a latte.

And of course, sometimes passing the traffic is not advisable. you'll know it when you see it.

but i'd suggest doing it whenever safely possible.

[Mr. Underbridge]

I'm assuming you're posting based on a recent encounter that was a bit more of a close call than you'd like? If so, stop doing whatever you did. ;)

In all seriousness, if you're in traffic, behave like a vehicle. The only time I generally deviate from that is if traffic is stopped and I can safely filter by on the side. Even then, I only do it if I have sufficient room *and* I'm familiar with the traffic light pattern at the intersection.

[maddyfish]

I generally obey the speed limit as enforcement is EXTREMELY strong here. Every person I know except for me ( I rarely drive) has gotten a ticket here recently. And that leads to the problem, it is very,very common to catch up to a car going 18 in a 25 zone. Maybe 6-7 times a week.
Mr. Underbridge-- It comes from a yell from a Suburban after I passed him while he was running 18 in a 25. It was a 2 lane road with a split center line indicating a passing zone. I did not exceed the speed limit to pass him, and passed him onthe right, just as I would on a motorcycle. It was a quick pass. No cars were oncoming. He caught up at a stop light, and was absolutely nuts, screaming, yelling, cursing that bikes should never pass a car.

[chipcom]

He caught up at a stop light, and was absolutely nuts, screaming, yelling, cursing that bikes should never pass a car.

Did you tell him that he should probably feed his squirrels to make his car go a little faster? :D

[Eli_Damon]

In MA (and probably other states), the law is that you should never pass on the right unless you are on a one-way street or divided highway or the vehicle you are passing has signaled a left turn (in which case you should not pass on the left, only on the right). I violate this law only occasionally and am extra careful when I do. Also, I don't think it is safe to try to pass another vehicle unless I can see a space in front of them move into.

However, I am confused about how this law applies to multi-lane non-divided roads, which includes roads with bike lanes. If I am in a bike lane with no one in front of me and a bunch of still cars to my left, is it the officially correct course of action to stop and wait for the cars to get moving even though my lane is clear? Or what if it is not a bike lane? What if it is regular travel lane? This is less common but it has occurred.

[Bekologist]

ohmigosh, the HORRORS!!!

what IF you are passing traffic in a bike lane, maybe closer than in a WOL, because of the clearly demarkated lanes of travel? :eek: it's a

I bet the VCists are in a quandry with that one. fear of painted road stripes....

maybe the foresterite line is to wait in the traffic?

[maddyfish]

Thankfully we don't have bike lanes. I come from motorcycle riding to biking and generally passing on the left, when not against the double line, seems right to me. But since it is normal for cars to try to share a lane with me when they pass me, it seems right to share a lane with them when I pass them. In my town, I am rarely passed unless going up a hill, due to excessive speed enforcement. I'm not saying I'm fast, I'm not. But I can maintain 22-25 mph on flat roads.

[fordfasterr]

I prefer to split the lane rather than pass between the curb and traffic..

It seems like I have more choices like that because typically - the curb is not a useful exit zone !!!

[Carusoswi]

Too much analysis here if you ask me. . . pass where and on which ever side you think is safest. If passing left, watch for cars making left turns and changes into your lane. If turning right, mind right turning cars so you don’t get hooked.

I could care less about the speed limit and even less as to what car drivers think. I do try to be predictable – I don’t want to invite a collision. But, the last thing I worry about is the speed limt.

Caruso