Blind curves
 

Any tips on getting cars to not pass on blind curves? I have this one on my usual ride that I take the lane on, but it doesn't stop some motorists from going into the oncoming lane while driving the curve, passing and merging back in front of me at an angle, essentially cutting me off. I've almost even witnessed a head-on collision because of this...tips?

I wish I knew a way as well. there are some curves here in my town that I take the lane on and can be doing over the posted limit, still get passed. the farther out into the lane I am the farther they go into the other lane. I have a horrible feeling that someday there will be a head on because someone passes on a blind curve. Usually when someone forces past me on one I get ready to dive off the road when they jerk back over when a car appears in the oncoming lane. That is how I was hit by a d-bag on a harley when he dove back over into me.

You will probably get a lot of advice telling you to take the lane more aggressively, which is fine but does not always work in some areas. That's why I have never bothered asking this question myself.

If they want to risk being stupid by going into the oncoming lane, that is their choice. I am not angry with you. I am just pointing out that, there is no reason why, a motorist should feel so encumbered that they dangerously pass a cyclist. But won't do the same to another motorist.

Take the lane but be ready to bail out to the right. A passing motorist is going to jerk back into the lane if they see oncoming traffic, regardless of whether or not they've completed their pass.

I've seen quite a few oncoming cars forced into the ditch because of MGIF motorists.

every situation is different. if this one is particularly difficult to navigate, can you eliminate it from your route? I used to have a tough one right before a railroad crossing. what I eventually started doing (which worked) was after I took the lane, when I heard a car behind me, I held up 1 finger indicating: "please wait just a minute" then after the blind curve and railroad crossing, well, they realized how stupid they would have been if they passed me, but anyway, I gave them a small wave as I moved right, indicating: "thank you very much". don't know how long your blind curve is, if it's long they might lose patience and pass anyway. if this is part of your commute then you can call the police dept for that area, explain what's happening at that curve and tell them what time. they might post a radar car there for a few days so that the regular drivers learn to slow down there. good luck!

also, if you can't "beat them" join them? meaning, instead of taking the lane, because that's not working, just stay right and let them pass. they are more likely to do a better job passing and getting back into lane if you stayed right. sometimes we just can't control their behavior, and our behavior (no matter how correct it is) encourages them to behave even more badly ... ;(

I cannot fathom why motorists are willing to pass on a blind curve......... the urge to pass a cyclist is strong with this one.

agreed, as dumb as driving FASTER when it's raining ..

In addition to blind curves, there are hill crests. It happens fairly regularly to me. It depends on the situation. If they're going to pass, I'll slow to allow them to get by more quickly. Usually I'm ahead of them and can see further around the curve or over the crest. If I see conflicting oncoming traffic, I'll brake hard to allow the passing vehicle to get by before they pull over into me. And sometimes I just cringe and hope nothing bad happens.

If I can hear oncoming traffic that the motorist and myself can't see I will attempt to keep them from passing by holding my hand out and down in a warning signal and when it is clear I wave them through. Someday I'll probably wave some poor guy into a hybrid.

What would you guess is the percentage of drivers who have any idea what your do not pass hand signal is supposed to indicate?

I don't see any up side in assisting someone to do something dangerous and illegal. I agree with others, minimize your exposure and be ready to bail.

Seems to work as well as when Gandalf did it...

This is one place where taking the lane definitely has advantages. First off, if you are out in the lane, if they bail, you still have a place to go. And it does discourage some people from passing. I have an uphill blind curve on my commute. I find that taking the lane is much better there.

Agreed with others on assertively taking lane. To add to that, take it early enough so that rear-coming drivers can see long before they reach you that you are fully in the lane.

@ILTB Most drivers here seem to think its a challenge to pass, or an invitation to do so. Assertively taking the lane and then having the nerve to tell the driver what to do! It can be a recipe for disaster. Anymore, I only try it when it looks like someone might hit a school bus or something.

So far Looigi wins the gold star. Every time is different, even at the same spot. Assessment of the particulars of the moment are key. There are actually times that being a gutter bunny is the only way, as is being aggressive now and then.

I have taken the lane, far enough from the turn/hill to make it pretty obvious, and it does not always work out. In fact, I have been passed on the right outside of a curve I was in. It only happened once, but it scared the crap out of me.

Most of the passing close calls having to do with oncoming traffic has been not on a blind section, but where the oncoming car was clear and obvious and some jack wagon decided to try to pass anyway. In both cases I can think of in recent memory the passing vehicle got passed me, giving me enough room, and nearly ran the oncoming vehicle off the road. I don't know if they thought they had more time/room or what... Maybe they misjudged my speed or their depth perception in relation to bikes is off...

Considering that most crashes in blind corners involved a driver over driving their line of sight, I can't think of any place worse to go wide than a blind corner, especially considering how many distracted drivers there are.

Holy man.

Just had the scare of my life, coincidentally a day after posting this.

A car just honked and sped by past me within 1 foot on a NEIGHBOURHOOD blind curve, ON MY RIGHT SIDE.... I called the police on this one. Why does it always seem to be young people that are dangerous and reckless?

Not a problem here in Oregon. All drivers have X-ray vision and can see around the corners.

There isn't any secret "do not be a moron" hand signal or secret magic ray. Take the lane, be ready to ditch if they encounter on oncoming car and decide to take you out instead of hitting head-on. I've nearly witnessed a head-on myself - the guy in the sports car that had to swerve very fast to avoid the large truck coming over the blind hill he'd passed me on very nearly lost control, and was fishtailing for a couple hundred feet before he got it under control again. What are you gonna do?

As a motorcyclist, man I wish I had that. Oh wait, I do!

I don't want to start a flame war, and I'm not defending the driver, but what were you doing riding with room for a car to pass on your right? (unless preparing for a left turn).

As I read these threads I find that some people have a knack for finding problem drivers, while others rarely have issues. I know drivers vary around the country, but find it hard to believe that drivers in the metro NY area are so far above average in courtesy and respect for their fellow road users.

Thing is - there wasn't even enough room to pass on the left. It was a blind curve in a neighbourhood which was a part of an T-style intersection. To the right of me was a crosswalk filled with gravel - I take the lane on this particular one because staying to the right would indicate that I am intending to turn right at the intersection (and proceeding through would squish me to the curb or obstruct my path with gravel - these roads are sanded heavily in the winter because they are bus routes) Extremely dangerous driving on the part of that driver. I looked back at him to acknowledge that I know they were there and shook my head that it was unsafe to pass, but of course they still went ahead with it. Too bad I couldn't chase the car down but as I said I did call the plate into the police.

I'm not entirely sure WTF is going on this year with the bad drivers I'm encountering. I've ridden the same route for over 2 years daily and it's never been this bad.

IMO- this is the worst time of the year for cycling. The roads are still narrowed by margins of sand, gravel and crud left over after the snow mounds melt. It makes it much harder to share the road in a reasonable way.

However, after 50+ years riding, I've long felt that I'd rather have an impatient idiot in front of me than behind so I do whatever I can to send them on their way at the earliest opportunity. Lest anybody think this is a nervous biker thing, I do the same when driving, and learned the tactic from an over-the-road truck driver. Letting idiots get as far ahead of you as they will and out of your life, just makes everything go much better.

While it is illegal and perhaps annoying, is it really a safety issue if they pass on right with adequate clearance? It is not like you were not aware of them and they of you.