Antique & Classic Cars Blog

It’s summer again and those of us who spin pedals when we’re not pushing them to the driver’s side floor are out in force on our bicycles. Each spring this activity separates those motorists who know how to pass a bicycle from those who do not.

A technique that poses danger to both of us is to overreact to the cyclist’s presence and swerve all the way into the oncoming lane. That is overkill and creates a danger to three people–the initial driver, the cyclist and any oncoming motorist sure to appear.

Here’s how I overtake bicycles, which is the same way I like to be passed by cars:

1) slow down to about the cyclist’s speed.
2) watch for a large opening in oncoming traffic.
3) as the opening starts to draw near, begin to pull up alongside the cyclist. If the cyclist is not hearing impaired he or she will hear you. If there is impairment, hopefully the rider has a mirror to see you. (Some people bicycle while listening to music. Not safe, IMHO–that’s for the stationary bike. Use more caution if you see that the cyclist is wearing earphones.)
4) the law, last time I checked, requires a clearance of three feet between you and the rider. If you approach slowly and make your presence known, the cyclist will not make directional changes.
5) when your opportunity comes to pass, start from a place just behind the cyclist (within hearing distance), swing wide by at least 3 feet but not significantly more so that you can minimize encroachment upon the oncoming lane, and get by quickly, pulling fully into your own lane as soon as you’re safely past. I usually come back over after about two car lengths.

This approach puts the cyclist on notice that you are there and allows you to get by with minimum risk to everyone on the road. Other bicyclists who find this post, please feel free to offer your thoughts. Thanks.

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 at 11:00 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.