hooCycles

What is it?

The driver in your lane who wishes to pass thinks he/she has enough time to pass you and move back into your lane before the oncoming car arrives, but the driver in the opposite lane sees the pass and judges that he/she must slow down to give the passing car enough time and space to complete the pass.

The result is a really awkward pass whereby the person passing you never slows down but forces the car in the opposing lane to slow down and move over to the side of the road. I called it the 'Backwards Pass' simply because the car that really has to maneuver and react is the car in the opposite lane.

My theory:

To me, this demonstrates how being 'stuck' behind a cyclist turns otherwise 'good' driver into an aggressive driver with a lack of judgement. The person in the oncoming lane of traffic has not had their judgement altered by being 'stuck' behind the cyclist and quickly realizes the poor judgement of the passing driver.

Do you experience this situation?

If so, what's your theory?

FBinNY 

I must be a very simple fellow. I don't read much into his kind of stuff except the obvious.

1- the passing driver is either a poor driver or an "it's about me" kind of person who simply doesn't care about what he does to others. OR he simply as poor skills, and/or poor speed and distance judgement.

2- it's impossible to read anything into the oncoming driver's action because he's simply doing what needs to be done to avoid a collision. He may high beam or honk either to warn or complain, but only he knows why.

BTW- this is all too common or rural roads, and usually not about passing bicycles. It's common all over the world, regardless of reason (call it miscalculation), and people have been making adjustments all the time. When I've driven in Europe, I found that nobody gets worked up over this, the oncoming driver moves right, the passed car slows and moves right, and the passing car splits the centerline, and all three pass as if it were a 3 lane road all along. Similar things happen here, and on most roads there's more than enough pavement for 2 cars and a bicycle, and sometimes even 3 cars.

Compost happens, adapt and adjust, but there's nothing gained by getting upset.

hooCycles

I think the part that I find most interesting is that the passing driver always seems to "miscalculat[e]" while the oncoming driver always seems to be defensive. To me, it seems proof that being 'stuck' behind a cyclist really does mass with drivers' heads.

kickstart

I've experienced that while riding bicycles, motorcycles, and while driving cars or semis fairly often, some people suck, not much that can be done about it. At least on a bike one has the option to use the shoulder or bike lane if available, which helps some.

hooCycles

To be clear:

If anything, the "Backwards Pass" makes me feel better about drivers I share the road with since it demonstrates that many drivers (the oncoming drivers) have fairly good situational awareness and judgement. It does worry me though how easily that good judgement can get clouded (the passing driver).

AlmostTrick

I find that sometimes the oncoming driver will slow, and maybe even move right anticipating a pass, while the driver behind me waits for them to pass. The result is not dangerous, but ends up taking more time than needed.

On another note, nice red scarf!

hooCycles

Thanks, my mum knitted it for me.

howsteepisit

What are you just looking for something to grouse about? This is routine activity on the part of drivers, its part of getting along in an overcrowded world.

hooCycles

Strong reading of OP
Strong reading of other posts
Strong reading comprehension
Strong everything is strong

B. Carfree

The first time I experienced that was in Pennsylvania in 1986. After many years of riding in the West where this was unheard of, I was rather surprised to see cars not only passing me in such situations, but pretty much taking over the oncoming lane and forcing oncoming traffic to pull over and sometimes to completely leave the road. I interpreted it as the motorists being extremely courteous and giving me as much room as possible, even to the point of creating risk for motorists.

AlmostTrick

Agreed. I find passing motorists hanging out in the oncoming lane even with blind curves, hills, or oncoming traffic, to be way more common than them moving back into the correct lane (and me) too soon.

hooCycles

You are right, some of them do take considerable risk in order to give you room. What I worry about is when sh*t hits the fan, say an oncoming car crests that hill or comes around the blind curve too fast and too late. If the motorist had to choose between a collision with a car or a collision with a cyclist, which would they choose? Swerving back into the cyclist would make much more sense from a self-preservation point of view. I would rather them just sit back for a few seconds and wait for a safe pass with clear sightlines.

indyfabz

It's illegal in PA. Not only must a car pass a cyclist with 4' (Yes. 4', not 3'), he may not cross the center line to do so when oncoming traffic is sufficiently close that it would not be safe.

AlmostTrick

I find the actual time when a motorist is beside me and a threat to my immediate safety is very brief. They’re either still behind or out in front. But yeah, we always have to be ready for anything. Just another reason why it’s wise to always maintain adequate buffer space to our right to retreat to.

FBinNY 

+1

Where's always the slight risk of a pass without adequate clearance creating a situation whereby a motorist might opt to move over into you rather than take a head-on collision, but the actual risk is too remote to factor.

Keep in mind that cars can't move sideways, only forward at an angle, and there's a time element involved. As noted, you're only in the cars possible path for the briefest moments. Add to that you are presumable observant, and at the same time the motorist is realizing he can't make it, and considering pulling over into you, you can simply apply your brakes giving him that roo to move over.

I climb a narrow blind hill daily, and am passed there over the double line on a routine basis. In all those times, there's only been one "possible" close call, but I remain alert to cars coming over the crest whenever I'm passed. In my estimation, the only time I'm at any risk is if a car crests just as the following car begins his pass and is still behind me. If that happens I'll hope his brakes are OK, and prepare to bail in case they're not.

Unlike with cars and trucks moving at similar speeds. bike passes happen quickly and at speeds where cars still have good acceleration, so I consider the actual risk of collision via this scenario to be close to zero, and not even on my radar.

Chris0516

I have experienced that, on my bike, on my dad's Suzuki GS750 as a passenger in the early 1980's. In terms of trucks, never driven one. But the long-haul truck drivers(not those driving the box trucks) with the USPS. Must like to 'reach out and kiss it'. Since they have a tendency to make a 'close pass'.

hooCycles

It depends on your frame of reference.

As for the rest of the post, I think we must experience different passing/terrain combinations. As you live in a part of NY right on the water, I doubt that you ride on rural roads with steep hills and blind corners. The same could be predicted about @AlmostTrick in Illinois. Many of the roads I ride here in the Blue Ridge have tight corners and steep crests. This is not an indictment of any sort, but we should acknowledge that we do ride different styles of roads.

Rollfast

It was a nice touch indeed

Leebo

I take the lane to avoid being squeezed out.

hooCycles

I found that image on google!

Source: Animated Bike Rider - ClipArt Best - ClipArt Best

AlmostTrick

Well I'm disappointed... here I thought your mum knitted it for you.

rumrunn6

yes of course, it is what it is

hooCycles

Truly profound. Excellent theory and thanks for the contribution.

rumrunn6

sometimes you have to turn your head and spit and realize what isn't in your control