Do you see this happening too?

E.g. Someone overtaking (= burning energy) you, only to then meet her/him a few meters farther down the street (usually in front of a red light // IF they stop).

EDIT: That someone being another bicycle rider. And emphasis on unproductive overtaking. (not talking about road cyclists)

In a car? Or another cyclist?

Both happen on a fairly regular basis. Some people have no concept of the idea that they aren't alone in the universe.

Wednesday, two days ago. Knucklehead passed me twice. Young guy got himself a shiny new department store bike and he's one of this years new "I'm gonna commute by bicycle" crowd. It always happens this time of year. Frankly, I don't care how many times somebody passes me just as long as when their legs give out they stay right and I can get back around them without a hassle. He fizzled out the second time close to the lake and rather than pass him again I just took a different route for the last mile.

-Kedosto

So if I'm riding faster than you I shouldn't pass because I might get caught at the same light as you anyway? Not sure I understand the purpose of this posting.

As long as they don't slow down immediately after they pass, I could care less if they fizzle out up the road. For all I know, they could be doing HIIT, and that certainly is not "non-productive".

More than once I've been out doing intervals and another rider thinks it's an invitation for them to hop on my wheel and then when I sit up they come around and give me The Look.

George Carlin said, "...anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone driving faster than you is a MANIAC!" But perhaps on a bicycle they are both "idiots".

I don't either. I've probably been "that guy" the OP is attempting to judge because I start, ride, and stop at my own speed.

Doesn't matter if it's overtaking or burning energy. My own speed is my own speed. It's the speed that I'm comfortable riding at. I don't really care if you catch up with me at a light, and it's not about getting to the light first anyway. As long as you stay predictable when I pass or I when you pass I've no problems.

When passing doesn't matter and they catch up again at the light, why do they always sneak around me at the light to get in front? And then go really slow across the intersection.

This is what urban “bros” do, super annoying twits

[MENTION=2418]RoadKill[/MENTION]: Don’t worry, you may pass ;-)

Merely wanted to share an observation.

Another cyclist example may be:
an older lady (e-bike) overtaking a young man (non e-bike) at the beginning of a long climb or bridge. And then, at that very moment, the guy immediately overtakes the older lady, pushing really really hard. Because he loves to exercice or – more likely, given his behavioral characteristics – doesn’t like being overtaken (especially by an older lady?). Both encountered a red light and they split directions.

I felt his manoeuvre was unnecessary. Why burn the energy there?

Yes. But you seldom see anyone on a bicycle undertaking.

What I hate is when I'm pedaling hard up a hill or bridge and someone on an e-bike just zips past me, but I don't mind when someone pedaling does it. I sometimes try to catch them, depends on which bike I'm on and what they are riding. But lest one think that I'm being a jerk, I'm just using this as an incentive to get better. I'm not going to 'win', I'm just getting my HR up.

And the thing that did bother me was the Cit-e-Bikes that were around. People with no sense or skills at all zipping around on bikes that go too fast for NYC bike lanes. And as it turned out, they were too fast for their own good. One was able to apply the front brake hard enough to do an endo. And that was the endo of the e-bikes!

Shoaling!

Ah, the rare Yellow-Jacketed Shoal-Putz!

That's fine and why we have the bike boxes, which are awesome by the way and keep us out of traffic and feel the need to race everyone.

No one gives a **** really, unless they're a spandex-clad wannabe racer-boi commuter.

Unproductive overtaking? Someone has speed insecurity.

I like to get through an intersection quickly, ahead of the cars if possible, and people cutting in front generally don't. It's only once or twice a year that I even have another cyclist roll up at an intersection with me so it's not as if it's an issue. It's just pointless - why the need to slow me down if you're not "racing everyone"?

That sounds like something a Birkenstock-wearing, mis-Americanistic brexitist commuter would say.

Yes, I understand and appreciate bike boxes. The issue is the turds that crowd to the front and block the faster riders behind. No need to get in front if unless your fetish is to impede other riders.

It is really that big of a deal? How many cyclists block you on a daily commute?

See how easily I went around her in a gap within the light traffic?

I probably see more commuters than most of you and I just get excited by the number of cars that I pass, couldn't care less about the people walking into my lane or the other slow cyclists/motorcylists in my lane.

The trucks almost crushing me is a slight issue that I need to pay more attention to.

Anyone that's worn a Birkenstock knows that they rule!

Honestly, especially when commuting by the seaside.

My parking lot is faster and less crowded than that,