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Old 05-14-17 | 12:05 AM
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canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
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From: Texas

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

"There was a video in the UK in the past week..."
Got a link to the video? Without context we're just speculating.

There are some roads in my area where there are no alternative routes and a cyclist may be compelled to take the lane for everyone's safety for up to a mile or so.

That shouldn't seem like an unreasonable burden in a rural area where traditionally farm vehicles could be traveling as slowly as bicycles. Somehow when I was younger we managed to cope with following slow moving farm and road construction vehicles without having temper tantrums and bashing into other folks who were legally using the road.

But as some favorite rural routes become congested with expanding housing development it's going to be more of a challenge to bicycle commuting and recreational riding.

My usual method, when I take the lane for safety, is to look for the first opportunity to allow traffic backed up behind me to pass safely. I'll move closer to the edge of the road and wave them ahead when the road ahead is clear of any oncoming traffic. And I'll extend my arm fully while waving them on to indicate a safe passing distance.

Most drivers get the hint. Some don't and are too impatient to wait a few moments -- literally, only a few seconds -- for a safer passing opportunity. Often I catch up with them at the next stop sign, so they're not accomplishing anything other than endangering everyone on the road, including themselves. At most the delay would cost them less than a minute of commuting time.
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