Advice on passing a cyclist

[joiei]

Just found this posted by a Mobilian
https://www.facebook.com/DrVali/videos/10203938710408832/

[Bamboo World]

Just found this posted by a Mobilian
https://www.facebook.com/DrVali/videos/10203938710408832/

Thanks, joiei.

I'd never seen Mobile's skyline before watching this video.

[Conan71]

Good video.  Nitpicking here, but was it just me or did it look as if the car passed in a no passing zone?  Looked like washed out double yellows to me.

Thanks for posting, I shared it on a cycling page I moderate on FB.

[Ed W]

It's routine to be passed in a double yellow. I've even had cops do it.  The single time it was an issue was when a woman steadfastly refused to pass me because there was a TCSO officer behind her. He then pulled me over and tried to give me an attitude adjustment by threatening to cite me for impeding. That didn't work.

My criticism of this video would advise the cyclist to ride further left in the lane, putting at least a third of it to his right or half if the lane is narrow. It discourages motorists from trying to 'squeeze by' and makes the cyclist far more noticeable.

It isn't rocket science. Just wait until it's safe to pass. A few seconds delay isn't going to ruin your day, and both you and the cyclist will be home that night.

And if you want to read about my encounter, use this link. Remember, however, that at the time 129th in Owasso was still a two lane street. I did follow up with Stanley Glanz. That did not go well either.

http://cycledog.blogspot.com/2005/08/first.html

[Bamboo World]

It isn't rocket science. Just wait until it's safe to pass. A few seconds delay isn't going to ruin your day, and both you and the cyclist will be home that night.

A few seconds delay always seems to ruin someone's day, especially if the delay happens to be on four-lane Peoria Avenue at 5:15 on a Monday afternoon, even when it's relatively safe and easy to pass a cyclist without crossing any double yellow lines.

[Ed W]

The very widest lanes here are 14 feet, with most being closer to 12. A cyclist should be 3 feet from the right side of the lane - not the curb because the gutter is not safely rideable. State law requires a motorist to pass with at least 3 feet between him and the cyclist and since the average automobile is 8 feet wide, that adds up to 14. In the average 12 foot lane there isn't enough space to travel side by side.

Just change lanes to pass. It's easy.

[Conan71]

Keep in mind the video was not about cyclist behavior, it was about proper behavior if you are a motorist approaching a cyclist, regardless if the cyclist wants to be a stupid gutter hugger.

Minimum of 3 feet is the law.  I don't feel that comfortable when I'm on a bike with 3 feet of margin and even less comfortable with that margin when I'm driving the car that is over-taking the cyclist because some cyclists are very unpredictable and not overly aware of their surroundings.

[rebound]

A few seconds delay always seems to ruin someone's day, especially if the delay happens to be on four-lane Peoria Avenue at 5:15 on a Monday afternoon, even when it's relatively safe and easy to pass a cyclist without crossing any double yellow lines.

Was that you on the bike?       You seem particularly hung up on that example.

[Red Arrow]

since the average automobile is 8 feet wide, 

What do you drive? 

My car is just under 6' wide + about 6"/side for mirrors.

[Ed W]

What do you drive? 

My car is just under 6' wide + about 6"/side for mirrors.

I have a 2007 Pontiac Gran Prix, and I think that it's 8 feet wide, windows included. I once ha a 1964 Lincoln Continental, and although I don't know how wide it was, it did have a hangar deck.

I'll check the Pontiac.

[Conan71]

What do you drive? 

My car is just under 6' wide + about 6"/side for mirrors.

8' would be your average LTL semi truck.  8.5' for an over the road semi trailer most definitely not the average car unless that car was a Hummer.

[Ed W]

The Pontiac is indeed 6 feet wide, with mirrors extending another 6 inches on either side for a total of 7 feet. I stand corrected. But it's still too wide to safely share an average lane with a cyclist. It's always a good idea to check the data.

[Bamboo World]

Was that you on the bike?   

No.

...it's not when and where I would choose to ride...

You seem particularly hung up on that example.

I doubt if I ever would have known anything about that particular example, had you not chosen to post about it.

I rarely see cyclists on Tulsa's arterials in evening traffic.  In fact, I rarely see cyclists on Tulsa's arterials at any time.  When I'm driving and do see them, I just slow down for a few moments.  Sharing public roads with pedestrians and bicycles is not a problem for me.

[Red Arrow]

The Pontiac is indeed 6 feet wide, with mirrors extending another 6 inches on either side for a total of 7 feet. I stand corrected. But it's still too wide to safely share an average lane with a cyclist. It's always a good idea to check the data.

I agree that there is just not enough room to share a lane.  An average car width of 8 ft (+ mirrors?) seemed a bit too wide though.

Just for grins, I looked up the current generation of Chevy Silverado.  Max 80" (6' 8")  without mirrors.  Some wide mirrors could easily get that to 8'.   Back in the days before rocks turned to dirt, I think about 8' was the widest allowed without some kind of permit.  A boat our family had in the 60s was just shy of 8' which made towing a non-issue.

[Breadburner]

Just be smart about it...There are some hostiles clucks in vehicles around....