I dislike the 'unexpected courtesy' interaction so much, especially at all-way stops; it's faster and safer for everyone to proceed when it's your turn, rather than make things unpredictable.
Many drivers also don’t realize how difficult it can be to see them through the glare on the windshield. I’ve had drivers try to wave me on, but I couldn’t see them doing it, so we’re both just sitting at the intersection, waiting for the other to go.
agreed. It can also cause problems when the car behind the yielding car gets annoyed and drives around or when stopping for kids/younger folks it can cause them to quickly react and go without double checking the other direction.
That's the stupid law in BC. In Ontario, it is slower traffic yields to faster traffic whenever SAFE and PRACTICAL. So, if you are ridding at the speed limit (or the speed of traffic flow) on the right-hand lane, you may use the block position to take the whole lane.
@@SkipGole in stupid california, from prior visits, the signs say "share the road" or bikes "MAY use full lane" (capitals my emphasis). And stupid drivers interpret this as "it would be nice if I do but it's not STRICTLY required" and more meek cyclists are deterred. i always ride in the middle of the lane unless i have a very wide and clear shoulder (aka painted bike lane).
Glad you covered the car waiving you through. Worse case scenario a motor vehicle driver behind them is in hurry, can't understand why they stopped, can't see you, and starts to hustle around them, running the cyclist over.
I find it annoying when a car does it, but I will still give them a wave. I mean it's a nice gesture but most of the time, it is super awkward and creates more of an issue, then if they just continued like they were supposed to. It's the same when they do it when you are pedestrian. Unless, you have to legally stop, please just keep moving (car drivers)
It goes the other way, too! Just a couple of days ago I was in a car and a pedestrian was about to cross a side street that I was also about to turn into. Pedestrians have right of way in this scenario, so I stopped and waited. He waved me on. I tried to refuse it and wave him on, but he stubbornly kept waving me on, so I went. If everyone just followed the road rules things would go so much more smoothly.
Someone got hit in the awkward transition between two sets of dedicated bike lanes in my city last year due to this reason. To be fair, this was a lot less dangerous back when cars weren't 6 feet tall with tinted windows.
In my road safety course the instructor pointed out that it can be insurance fraud as well. They wave you through, then the resulting crash is deemed your fault: due to the right-of-way rules.
There are a lot of places in North America where the designated bike routes basically rely on drivers being kind and stopping to let bikes through. There's a spot I ride through (designated bike route crossing another street) almost every day where the only time you're getting a natural break in traffic is when traffic is fully backed up to the next signal. If someone stops for you, just be thankful there are still people who will stop.
When a car behind me courteously waits to pass and I see an opening on the side of the road long enough for me to get in and cycle safely, I wave the car to pass by. Most drivers appreciate that gesture, and positive vibes are created. Win/win,
Yeah, obviously weaving in and out of parking lane isn't good, but if the gap is big enough, i will move over and give the car room to pass and then move back over into the driving lane. Believe me, I don't want to hold you back, having a car close behind you for a long period of time being unable to pass is such a anxious situation that if I can do anything to get past that situation I will.
I do the same thing. Never hurts to show appreciation for the courtesy. And in the rare instances when a passing driver refuses to pause for an oncoming car, I often see the oncoming driver move well over to their right to give the impatient driver extra space. I always try to give that driver a wave too. Happily, most drivers in Vermont will wait to pass safely.
Where to position your bike is such a subtle but important determining factor in how cars pass or do not pass. If I'm in a 35 zone with 4 lanes (plus a center turning lane), and there are parked cars at the curb, I will take the full right-hand lane. This may surprise drivers, but ultimately, they realize they have the left lane to safely pass, and it's a much better scenario for everyone instead of expecting cars to squeeze past me and have me stress about the door zone. Whenever I feel that an unsafe pass is likely to happen because an extreme right of lane hugging is encouraging passing with bad sight lines vs. the car waiting for clear passing, I take the lane. Riding inches from the soft shoulder encourages unsafe passing by cars, and in that case, they often don't even slow down. I suppose you could say I err on the side of lane presence positioning to encourage thoughtful passing vs. casual unthinking blasting past me.
Coming from somewhere with typically narrow lanes, I generally cycle in the middle of the lane where I am more visible and have space to move into if a vehicle comes too close. Being too close to the kerb just seems to encourage reckles overtaking. As for excessive courtesy, I have come across this also when driving and, it is definately better when everybody follows the rules, that way everything is predictable.
I take the whole lane every time there's not a bike lane. I even ride slightly left of the center of the lane, to make it even clearer that they shall not pass (🧙🏻♂️), except by going fully into the other lane. And if it's a one lane street, tough luck, they're waiting.
@@2mains234 Yes, my local council put up signs and road markings to encourage cyclists to 'take the lane'. this is especially important where you get narrowing, like at a traffic island. I'll always adjust my position as I see bottlenecks ahead.
The problem with bike lanes in my city is that the lanes are located where the road debris (gravel, glass, nuts, bolts) collects and the city and state do not maintain the lanes. This is a particular problem in the winter months when the city uses gravel on the roads (no plows or deicer). The gravel remains for weeks on end.
Agreed - it sucks because - as any bicyclist/non-car-traveling person can attest - I don't want to be near cars either! Also, I don't know how to effectively say, "the bike lane is full of debris that can make me fall unexpectedly - you know, like how You wouldn't want to drive on rocks and knives that are literally at least as wide as your tires? - so it's generally safer to ride on the road, than in the bike lane", in the time that the driver is cursing me out, and whipping around me as close to my body, and as fast as possible
In my area we have little to no bike lanes so I always have to worry about dirt/gravel and sometimes glass if I'm unlucky so I try to ride the white lines for the most part
@@jamesphillips2285 I hear that pretty often. I just try to gauge the driver and if they appear to be reasonable I'll take the lane. If they look annoyed I'll get out of the way. I've been hit twice so just getting out of the way is safest. These people also don't understand data and have never computed the statistics they belch. But the traffic engineers have and that's why the lanes exist.
A few thoughts as a regular cyclist: when passing, my recommendation for cyclists is to take space when it is unsafe to pass you (worst case at least you built space to your right to dodge; Absolute worst is to be all the way right already and have a car pass anyway with no space!). For drivers, look at the bike. Typically, they will happily give you more space to go when they can and safe for them. If they aren't giving you space, they probably are not safe in that situation (they might see something you don't, like a person in a parked car about to open their door...) My second one for Drivers is when turning right, to use your turn signal BEFORE you start turning, so that any bicycle behind you knows you are about to move in front of them and often you will see that they will slow down to let you go, or merge left to go around you without being in your way. At intersections I also recommend moving slowly but surely to the right of the road and over the bike lane (in most places that is how the law works), which allows you to turn safely and bikes to go around you if they are going straight. DON'T do it too early if there is traffic though, you will only force cyclists to dangerously zig-zag around you. Also, if there is a turn lane on the right of the bike lane, please, please, please, get fully into that lane. DON'T be half in the bike lane, that defeats the purpose as the cyclists will now have to merge left into the car lane to go around you!
Came here to say the same thing about taking up space, especially on small streets with on street parking on both sides. If there are parked cars on both sides of me, I'm riding in the middle of the street.
I couldn't agree more. Riding all the way to the right is asking for trouble. You have to reserve space for yourself. when it's safe, do a shoulder check to communicate to the driver that you are aware of them and then move over telling them that you are OK with being passed. If it isn't safe for them to pass, take the lane and then move over when it is safe, but not all the way over to the right. Keep some space in reserve.
I agree with drivers needing to indicate, and check their mirrors and blind spot properly before turning. In heavy slow traffic cyclists could be travelling much faster than the cars, and hastily turning right without checking for bikes undertaking - especially if there is a bike lane there. Can cause a collision.
Great video Tom. The “waive through” is a pet peeve because it is so dangerous. Just treat me on my bike like a vehicle and follow the rules of the road.
I agree for the circumstance shown, but as drivers we wave/flash other drivers through, especially in busy traffic. So I'd do the same as a driver for a cyclist, and expect this from a driver if I'm cycling. As for the stop sign, that junction has good visibility and both look like quiet back streets, so there is no reason it needs anything other than the usual give way markings.
I have a feeling that the growth in e bike use is going to have an effect where bikes will be expected to stop at signs and behave more like any other road vehicle.
I hate it as a pedestrian too. If I stop before the edge of the road it's because I want to cross leisurely not at pace because there is a car waiting to turn.
i had a guy the other day think that he didn’t need to wait in line at an intersection to get into the turn lane, and pulled halfway out into the oncoming lane to skip everyone, and nearly smashed into me. car drivers have no clue how to act around cyclists. thanks for this video, i hope non-cyclists actually watch it and learn
MGIF (Must Get In Front) Syndrome is very real in my city. Someone will roar past at 45 mph just to slam on the brakes at a light in 100 feet and then I pass them again while they sit there behind other cars. Such is life 🤷🏼♂️
You're absolutely correct.. MGIF syndrome is real in a city like New York.. it's so silly bc biking is by far the fastest mode of transportation in New York city within 3 miles distance.. but drivers always wanna pass you just to sit at a traffic light
Lol complaining about others getting in front of you right before boasting about getting in front of them after they passed you. Thereby slowing them down and forcing them to pass you again. Imagine a car doing that to another car on a highway... the fast car would not be considered the asshole
Whereas most cyclists are also drivers (or have the ability to drive), part of the solution is to get drivers-only folks to have some level of cycling experience, so they understand the environment of being a cyclist in the city and be more aware. The reason it’s so safe cycling in the Netherlands is that so many drivers are also cyclists themselves. Even if that’s not the case, I bet every Dutch driver knows at least a few cyclist in their circle of friends and family.
Good luck in some countries. In America most people rather not use the stairs so I could barely imagine the same people using bikes to get a better understanding
@@karikling6751 If everyone rode a bike for one week per year, most of these if not all of these biking problems would go away, or be solved. I myself had no idea how dangerous the roads were for bikers, till a few years ago when I took up biking again. So folks who drive cars only, never really notice any infrastructure that does not relate to them, they never notice bike lanes, or even bad sidewalks for pedestrians, as that does not concern them, and they are traveling too fast to really notice these things anyways.
From one who had his elbow clipped by a car passing. Thanks for the public safety massage. Motorcyclists are trained to 'own the lane' for satety; maybe we could use a few more safety tips from them. Lastly, I suggest doing a 'big left turn' in some situations.
Thanks so much for the amazing show of support. And you make a good point. The ideas of "vehicular cycling" have been left behind in favour of building bike lanes, but I think the old vehicular cycling idea of taking the lane still applies in a lot of scenarios.
For "big left turns" you have to be mindful of traffic turning right onto the same road you are. The one that had me looking for an escape route one day was a semi-trailer. They need TWO lanes to turn.
A great thing In Melbourne, Australia is that bicycles can do a "hook turn" at basically any intersection for safety. Means you can avoid the dreaded changing lanes and waiting for traffic to clear to turn.
Just returned from a cycling trip in Tenerife and was pleasantly surprised with how much respect drivers gave to cyclists, despite having zero cycling infrastructure and regardless of the situation, urban or rural. Pretty much every driver, without fail, would patiently wait until there was a clear opportunity to overtake, regardless of how slow you were going, and do so by fully crossing the road to the opposite lane. I honestly felt safer cycling there than in places WITH cycling infrastructure! Driver education/attitude seems to be the key.
Absolutely, if only driving lessons and attitude could be taught the same way back in the UK. It would be a much quicker and cheaper fix, without requiring massive cost and changes to infrastructure, and clearly works in certain parts of the world.@@grahambonner508
It's more difficult for drivers to have empathy if they have never moved more than 10 meters without a car I still get surprised as drivers struggle to not be dicks, even the ones that try. It's just hard if you have not a clue of how agressive your vehicle is for the city around it
I agree that people who also ride bikes make the best drivers. And it's true those with the most patience are also likely to have experience getting around in ways other than a motor vehicle.
But hasn't nearly everybody both been on bicycles as kids when that was the only way to get around independently, and also had accidents as kids therefore knowing how much that hurts? That's a lot of basis for this empathy.
@@cadriver2570 We all know what meters are and we convert to and from metric figures all the time. We all got that in school. My rule of thumb for that has always been 39 inches. I'm positive we convert more than Canadians do.
This is a great video to share with the drivers in your life as Spring arrives! It’s important to talk about these issues and even invite people to bike with you, just to show them what it feels like. When I’m cycling, I promise I’m moving as fast as I can. I don’t like holding people up and it’s SCARY having massive vehicles around you. Most people driving cars are perfectly respectful… but it only takes one who isn’t…
In most cases I would say that you took the words from my mouth!! My only addition to drivers in Australia would be to say that when bikes are overtaking stationary cars, it’s okay for the bike to leave enough separation in case a car door is opened unexpectedly in front of of them. The consequences are normally serious and it happens often enough to have its own name - ‘dooring.’ Excellent video, thanks!
Hello from the UK! Side by side cycling is not always against the law / local jurisdiction and its often safer as cars have half the length of cyclists to overtake. This often enables a shorter overtake without blocking any safe overtaking opportunities
The number 1 reason he called out (if you want to think of it this way) is that if car drivers band together and make cycling fun and safe that removes cars from the road. The next time you are the last person making that left turn on the yellow JUST as it's turning red picture all the cyclists you saw driving pickup trucks instead. It only takes a couple of them to make you miss that light. It's better to slow down for 2 seconds here or there than to sit at the red light for 2 minutes.
That's why I use the California method to turn left, where you wait in the intersection, so that even if oncoming traffic runs the red, I can still go after the light change
He Shifter, very good video.👍👍 I was taught that traffic is a way of cooperation in a shared space, without speech (but by rules). In a way like "he i drive faster, let me overtake you", "how do you and I and all the others cross this junction in a efficient way". The same goes when bikes are involved. I get the impression from YT vids that US drivers expect to be the only one on the road in which case rules are irrelevant. But because there are more users on the road, drivers get angry with the others for being on the road with their unexpected behavior.
I kinda started driving carefully around cyclists when I started cycling again. Makes me more aware of what they feel even if I am not the one riding a bike.
@@drill_fiend1097 because you needed to experience yourself instead of being an adult who respects others and their safety as default. Honestly it's freaking sad
That was a good topic. Here another thing that would help the motorist and cyclists dilemma. Before the students even operate a motor vehicle, make them learn how to navigate the streets on a bike. Students would learn the laws of the road, understand the vulnerabilities of the cyclist and be a better defensive driver. Just a thought.
From my experience, crossing or turning on a intersection is a lot safer when you’re behind a car. You can use the car as a buffer for other cars on the road
Just the other day I witnessed a car crash caused by someone trying to be courteous. In the direction I was going, the left lane was stopped on the other side of the intersection and middle lane was open, but a truck had stopped to let the on-coming left turn lane go. The right lane was left wide open. An SUV from the other direction turned left as a sedan in the right lane gunned it through the intersection. The sedan couldn't stop in time and ran into the back of the SUV. The SUV shouldn't have turned left since there was still an open lane, but if that truck hadn't stopped, the SUV would not have turned left. I doubt too that the SUV could see past the truck to know the sedan was coming.
Thanks for this. It's pretty old news for me, but I haven't heard people discuss this for some time now. I suggest what I saw maybe 2 years ago: tie a pool noodle perpendicular to your bike rack, pointing left. When I first saw this, I thought that it was stupid and meaningless, until I realized that the pool noodle tells drivers to give more space. Drivers will instinctively avoid the left-most tip of the noodle, which will give you enough space.
Another unexpected 'courtesy' that makes me nuts is when a driver approaches from behind, has safe clearance to pass, and then honks to let you know they're there and about to overtake. Talk about jumping out of my skin! Nothing makes me more likely to swerve than a sudden 110 decibel blast while I'm navigating the edge of a road gutter on 35 mm tires. I get this a lot on more rural / secondary roads. And I always already know the motorist is there (thanks to my ears, my rear-view mirror or my Garmin Varia radar).
Yeah I folks mean well when they do this but they have no idea how insulated they are from the sound inside their cars. Everytime this happens it scares the hell out of me and leaves me in sensory overload. Super dangerous.
What I have noticed from people around me is that too many people see bikes as solely recreational, and I think that is a primary reason so many motorists don't have patience for cyclists. It's like their mind defaults to _"I have someplace I need to be and you're slowing me down riding your bike for fun. Get off the road and go ride around a park!"_ This needs to change.
I'm not surprised. I mean: What kind of person makes "proliferating the habit of moving around in a huge, motorized cage of steel" the objective of their life? Hardly anyone else becomes a driving teacher.
I'm not surprised either. US driver's tests are woefully vague and not strict enough. There is also the lack of transit so people who don't care at all about cars and driving need to drive and maintain a massive vehicle regardless.
@@ambiarock590 I was a 16yo and forced by folks to take the test. Went right back and turned license in until 21. The amount of jobs I was turned down for in my ONE SQUARE MILE town was absurd. I want hire standard too but rn now all we are doing is keeping poor folks from working.
Fun fact, if driver passes a cyclist in unsafe manner and that cyclist then catches up to them at the next light the driver has to pay them $20 and give them a high five. It's true, Look it up. That is why you always should pass either safely or in a manner where it will really make a difference in your travel time.
Great video! I especially like the reminder that we are all on our way to somewhere and time is equally precious, so use your empathy skills first. The city I live in has a good network of bike lanes and most MV drivers deal with them very well. My issue is when residents place their rubbish bins in the bike lane and the MV operators expect you to divert to the sidewalk even though the municipal code allows for bicyclist to travel in the roadway to avoid hazards in the bike lane.
As someone who commutes by bicycle in cities like Bangkok, I must say the explanation into the difficulty of riding with cars on the road is on point, but for sure, will be very difficult to apply with cities in developing countries like Bangkok, known for terrific traffic and non-existing bike lanes. Driver here, especially for buses and taxis are notorious for driving recklessly, so it's like the difficulty explained in this video but times 100x 😂. For many of us here, one of the best solution is to just avoid bigger roads entirely where drivers tend to be rude, and just leverage a local network of smaller alleyways to avoid fast moving cars. Anyway, I really hope more people will hear your message, so we bicycle commuters just be a bit more safe. 🙌
The simplest rule for overtaking is to *completely* move over into the next lane - and when that is used (even just by another cyclists in the other direction) then don't overtake.
Excellent video Tom!! As a CanBike safety instructor, I can say that you covered all of the major points. Yes, wouldn't it be nice if we had proper safe infrastructure? Or if drivers were required to take a bicycle safety course, riding on our roads first before they get their license? Or if all driving course instructors taught the 'Dutch Reach'? I take the lane when I have to, adhere to 'Destination Positioning', predictabilty and visibility. Whenever a motorist passes me with respect, caution and space I add a friendly wave. Slather the kindness to grease the way for other fellow cyclists! Well done!
Greetings from London, England. Found your channel recently and am really enjoying it. Thanks for this particular episode too; as a middle aged urban commuter I encounter many of the situations you describe and pretty much agree with everything you suggest. Keep up the good work! Regards, Micky
Great video! :) One additional tip for car drivers: Always assume, that the cyclist has no appropriate knowledge about traffic laws! Lots of us have driver license as cyclists, but as far as I know, in most countries you don't have to take any exam to cycle, or participate in traffic in any other form then motorized vehicles. Therefore it can be assumed, that it is more likely to make a mistake in the traffic on bycicle or as pedestrian than in a car. I really think every driver should own this mindset and protect other participants, especially in cities.
@@PoserBallin Riding a bike on the sidewalk is for children. Lots of municipalities ban adults from riding bikes on the sidewalks. The problem is that too many people stop riding bikes before they become adults. I'm not surprised the teens thought bikes belong on the sidewalk. That's probably the only place they've ever ridden one.
In my country it has gotten better, but just some years ago many drivers liked to maliciously pass you, get as close to you as possible and raise speed, leading to very dangerous situations. Still getting shivers about this one bus who was going above the speed limit and there was only like a 5cm gap from my handlebars on a road bike..
I'd like to see an advertising campaign for drivers educating them about the rules of the road for cyclists and covering these points. A lot of drivers learned how to drive pre-bike lane and if they don't ride, they don't realize how scary their death machines are to cyclists.
The key to for motorists is remembering that we're not f-ing cyclists -- we're human beings who happen to have chosen to use a bicycle instead of a car on this occasion. It is not our intent to impede your progress or cramp your style. We merely want to get where we're going safely and efficiently.
I have a theory -- the car who is driving behind you _thinks_ that they are waiting for a safe moment to pass. But what they are really doing is getting behind your bike and not feeling confident to pass you, and then a clock starts in their mind, and after 20 seconds, or whatever it is for that driver, they get the feeling that they've waited long enough, and then the pass you right at that moment, even if it isn't safe. In that situation, they do not think they are bad, impatient, or at all doing it wrong, and they feel very justified. Which is why if you ask them to wait for a safe moment, it doesn't really help, they need more guidance than that and probably a rule of thumb to tell them when to pass. Anyway, thanks for reading my theory!!
The lane positioning actually differs depending on where you are. In England, for instance, the Highway Code tells cyclists to take the middle of the lane anywhere they feel like, especially near junctions, on narrow roads, etc. It is also recommended to ride at least a meter out anytime you pass a parked car. Might be worth adding a note that lane positioning is also jurisdiction-specific 😊
Dear Tom, Enjoy your channel and have learning some helpful stuff from you. Thank you and keep up the good work. Regarding left tuns: Been biking in roads for a long time, starting 1980 in Manhattan . Have never biked in a city that did anything significant to make it simpler for bikers though New York City is trying now. Have not been back to NYC to try the new infrastructure. . . When making left turns, I’ve found it often necessary to stay all the way to the right, cross the perpendicular road (onto which I want to make a left turn), stop and then pivot my bike 90 degrees to the left (putting me all the way right on the new road) and wait for the light to change or road to clear that I had just been on. Something perhaps to try and/or comment on. Thanks. All the best
In the UK the law was changed reasonably recently to encourage side by side riding. The logic being it's safer for all - an overtaking car being able to pass both bikes in one go minimising their time in the other lane. In practice not all drivers appear to have bought into the change. One thing cyclists can do is install a camera on their bike and provide close pass video's to the police. Not to prosecute - rather to educate - a quiet word from the police hopefully changing future behaviour.
Empathy is what is missing by many, drivers with cyclist and/or cyclists with pedestrians and vice and versa. Boils down to « don't be a dick! » Nice video.
Where I live in Massachusetts, the new requirement is 4 feet of passing space for cars between pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users. Most car drivers and most bikers are perfectly good folks, the problem is that most road users in the area where I live encounter one unsafe car driver a day--and that encounter could be deadly.
Regarding driver behaviour all I would say is - just imagine the cyclist or pedestrian is a loved one, a member of your family and treat them as such. Regarding cyclist behaviour - follow the rules as much as possible, sometimes we need to accommodate by slowing or pulling over to let a motorist pass, never try to force the issue because you have priority, this rarely ends well. In summary: as people, regardless of how we choose to travel, we should take time to be nice to each other, the benefit from a nice and friendly interaction can make a big difference to how we feel throughout the day.
after spending half a year in toronto, how i deal with most of these situations is by communicating to the motorist by signaling ahead of time my intentions and when possible encouraging them to go ahead first.
1. From what i've seen, the languages for cyclists staying to right uses the phrase "practicable and safe", not "practical and safe". 2. Regarding predictability, as a cyclist i find i get a lot more passing room from motorists if i ride a little bit unpredictably. Especially where i do not want to take the whole lane, but drivers tend to pass too close, i will often ride as if i am slightly drunk. This is extremely effective at getting drivers to allocate appropriate passing room.
Great educational video. I also wear hivis, lights on day & night & have a mirror for riding on the streets to be more visible. Glad you covered the extra courteous drivers giving too much right of way unnecessarily 🚴
Timely taking of your right-of-way is key to keeping all traffic, not just cyclists, moving safely. Also, keep in mind that if you're waving on a cyclist from inside a vehicle, they may not see your hand signal because of your window tint or reflections off the windscreen. Don't be surprised if they do not react; they know you have the right-of-way and are expecting you to use it.
some good advice i've read about where to bike on a road is to stay on the outer third of the lane: it gives a nice balance of leaving space to pass safely, discouraging dangerous passes, keeping a margin for you to swerve if a car gets too close, and not irritating drivers quite so much as when you're right in the middle of the lane..
What people get wrong about single file vs two files is that for groups rides having two files makes it easier to pass the group (because the group now is not that long). In Germany you usually have to ride single file but in groups of a certain size you are allowed to ride in pairs.
Part 4 is very important and I totally agree with you. Drivers shouldn't feel the need to wait for cyclists even when they have the right of way. There is also something I like to add to Part 3: yes, ride on the right side of the road, IF there is enough space for a safe pass. If not, ride in the middle of the street, it's much safer that way. Drivers shouldn't pass you in that scenario anyway and in my experience they will always try, even if there is no space at all. Oh and something about the empathy, just to put it into perspective for drivers: If there are 10 idiots on bikes, a motorist will be annoyed (rightfully so). If there is one idiot in a car the cyclist might literally die. That's why cyclist can react very allergic to reckless drivers.
@@oplkfdhgk 2 meters is more than half of a car lane but nowhere close to a whole car lane. 2 meters is 67% of an urban car lane (3 meters) and 54% of a highway lane (3.7 meters). That shows giving cyclists enough room is more space efficient than building another lane.
@@stuartwithers8755 well I guess we have tiny car lanes where I live cus they are apparently more like 2.5m but we also have very low speeds. On higher speed roads the width is obviously more but obviously on higher speed roads you also need to give cyclist more space so I think it's still a good rule of thumb.
Thank you for this video, it's always about respect on the road. We all are human beings, and we have to go places. Thanks, God, people in my area are the best people. "whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them"
also as someone who drives for a living, I encourage everyone to try driving around with a window or two open. I honestly enjoy it. Being able to take in more of my surroundings, even in boring places I've been to five times that week. and for the frugal, remember, except for plug-in electric cars, all heat is just comming from the coolant that would of otherwise been sent to the radiator and waisted anyways, and for those extra dollars supposedly running more cooling, remember that evaporation is surpringly effective and even more so at 30mph compared to a ceiling fan or desk fan. So, you can be more aware of your suroudings, enjoy yoyr commute more, and just maybe even save a couple bucks a month just by rolling your window down a few inches, I regularly keep about 4 inches open and not once has anyone attempted to break into the vehicle in the three years I've been doing this in a major city downtown.
As a kid, I never understood 'weaving in and out of parked cars.' 'Hold your line' makes a lot more sense. Especially for children, who are working to learn how to stay in a straight line. As for the nice motorist waving you through an intersection, they are often so focused on seeing the bike, that they are not aware of the other vehicles in and around the intersection. On the bike, my head is always on a swivel.
As somewhat performance oriented road cyclist, I tend to demonstrate positive attitude towards drivers. Probably the most important is to be predictable. Behave in a way, that it is easy to guess, what you are about to do. Use gestures (left hand with right-hand side driving): - If you are about to turn or change lane, signal with you hands. - If you have better view than the driver behind you, don't hesitate to show him to slow down (pushing you hand downwards. - If you can see farther beyond a turn, wave riders to pass you. (many drivers blink their warning signals to thank me afterwards) - If you can see, that is not safe to pass you, take the lane and signal, that driver should slow down. Clear the lane ASAP afterwards. Drivers will understand and appreciate. - If you meet patient driver, show them kudos. It is good to encourage good behavior. And on the road, be confident. It is not universal rule to mitigate risks, but you are going to be better peer for other road users.
I don't think saying "Stay to the right/side" is a good way of passing that information. Instead, I'd say 'keep a arms width away from the side of the road at all times, including parked cars. Take the middle of the lane when you do not want cars overtaking, such as at a road narrowing, junction or red traffic light' I feel by default, most new cyclists would stay as far to the side as possible, so saying it's okay to go a little further out is better. Oh, and RED LIGHTS APPLY TO CYCLISTS AS WELL - Absolutely insane seeing other pass red light Most cyclist accidents (atleast in London) is at junctions and big vehicles. So if you see a bus or lorry, avoid overtaking from the inside and assume they cannot see you. So in an odd way, cyclist should give big vehicles plenty of space when overtaking.
I sometimes run red lights when I'm on my bike. If it looks safe to do so, of course. It sucks breathing in toxic fumes from stopped cars next to you, especially when you're riding in the middle of the day in the sweltering hot climate where I live. Stopping and waiting at red lights is barely an inconvenience when you're in the comfortable, climate-controlled bubble of a car. It can be torturous when sweat is cascading down your back and you want fresh oxygen instead of carbon monoxide as you ride your bike.
Where I live, stop lights can be treated as stop signs for bikes when it is safe to cross, and stop signs can be treated as yield signs when it is safe to cross.
I have two bridge crossing during my commute on a 60kph road. One is short, crossing it takes less than three seconds. Although short, this bridges lanes narrow too much to allow lane sharing. The 2nd bridge is much longer, and is flanked by raised sidewalks on either side. The curbs to these raised sidewalks is a staggering 14" tall. The lanes on this bridge are wide enough to allow lane sharing and even accommodate safe passing distances. But you will never find me cycling anywhere near those absurdly high curbs. This stretch is where I encounter the greatest hostility from motorists simply because I choose to take the lane for 15 seconds, shudder.
@@elnegrobembon Oh no, I got to stay with the plebs during the red light, what will I do besides breaking the law and whining when inevitably one of the car pleb hits me.
One thing I think would help is to bring back drivers education in the public high schools. That and a meaningful, intense, prolonged campaign against using a phone while driving. Here in the states, the driving public is largely ignorant of laws pertaining to sharing the road with cyclists. For instance, there are more traffic circles where motorists are uncertain how to properly use much less how to properly use with bicycles as part of the mix. Another one is the idea that bicycles are a part of traffic not just impeding traffic. There is a law in Minnesota that bicyclists may use a full lane if there is not enough room on the shoulder or curbside of a lane. There are signs in places stating this but the rule is in place everywhere. and drivers get angry and tailgate me if I take this privilege on roads without a curb lane.
@@SuperRat420 Nailed it. We often see comments about cyclists doing rolling stops and giving all cyclists a bad name, but that's pretty much rubbish when you sit by a stop sign and watch what drivers are doing there. I make rolling stops, or safety check blow-throughs because they're safer for me without harming or hindering anyone else.
Thanks for the point at 5:11 "Ride as far to the right as practicable and safe, but don't go overboard." gets taken by non-cyclists as "you're supposed to not take up the whole lane." This is not only wrong but is the exact idea we need to correct: the whole lane belongs to us, and I take primary position a lot, if only to discourage close passes, but also to avoid debris, the door-prize, or just to maintain the well-advised 'space cushion'. I pay the same taxes as every other road user, there is a speed limit, not a speed minimum, and I own my lane. A honk from behind on a 5 lane stroad makes me move more into the lane, partly because I know it will infuriate the petrosexual behind me, but mostly because it will save my life. I get abuse when I'm making a left turn from the (gasp) left lane. They are willing to injure us over their ignorance of traffic logic. I don't like the advice ICBC puts out to 'keep right'. Same with 'Share the road' signs. Take your lane. 6:37 It is EASIER to pass 2 cyclists abreast than inline. One has to wait until there is space to move into the other lane anyway, so them being at the same position means the one overtaking needs less time in that other lane to get it done. Those 2 cyclists are performing a COURTESY to the drivers behind them, and it is seen as being selfish, and described as such here. Being a utility cyclist has made me a better driver.
When I’m at a stop light and cars are beside me that need to pass. I cross the intersection and go behind the parked car on the side of the street and let the cars pass me, realizing that they need to pass and it is safer for me and everyone. Also just like you said when at an intersection making a left hand turn I really do not want the cars to wave me thru. I would rather wait and go when there is an opening. In the situation I’m talking about I’m turning from a left turn lane into a bike lane and pull up so I’m not in the cars way that is trying to make a left turn behind me. Another annoying thing is all the people that park vehicles (especially delivery trucks FedEx, UPS, Amazon …) in the bike lane. They make hard for the biker, because I need to go into the car lane to pass the parked vehicle in my bike lane. The guy that really drives me crazy is the biker riding the wrong way in the bike lane. It is very up setting and it is people like this that give other bikers a bad reputation. I often say something to them hoping that in the future they won’t do this. One more thing when I’m passing someone (walking on a bike path or riding slower than I’m going) I try to tell them ‘On Your Left’ and I always pass on the left. I sure wish more e-bikes did this when they pass me on my standard bike going up hill (very few do). This is just courtesy and is greatly appreciated. Because of this I never have earbuds in my ears when I ride a bike. I want to hear my surroundings, like cars or Ebikes coming behind me (yes most e-bikes make a high pitch sound). Just like you said everyone needs to be reasonably smart and do not be a DICK. This was a wonderful video, I really appreciate all of your videos, thanks.
I will wave cars on that stop when they have the right of way. I went one time and a car behind that car went around them and almost hit me. I’m in Nashville. Drivers are nuts down here. Great video.
Tips for cyclists: Don't let the car make the choice of when to pass you. Ride in the center of your lane and only go to the right when you decide that now is a safe opportunity for the car to pass you. It sounds like a dick move, but honestly it isn't. You are in the best position to judge whether there's enough space for someone to pass. And you're the one who might have to pay with your health, so make it your decision!
It's probably fair to say that a lot of drivers just don't know how to pass PERIOD, and cyclists bear the brunt of this incompetence due to being some of the most common and most squishy slow-moving (or even just speed limit-obeying) traffic. One funny thing I've noticed that IS particular to bikes is hills. Motorists tend to not realize that bikes go faster downhill than uphill, so I occasionally have cars try and FAIL to pass me as I pick up speed after cresting a hill.
Such a great video agree with everything stated, thank you for the advices for the cyclist as well. For the less experienced cyclist, you would be surprised how many drivers can be really tolerant to you if they know what to expect from you, when you are predictable and when you don't give them false sense of space to overtake while cycling as much as possible on the edge even when you need more space because of potholes or parked cars. Just be aware of your rightful space, leave buffer for unexpected pothole bypass, and act predictable and considerately to cars as well. Sadly you still need to be foresighted because many drivers don't have great spacial awareness of their car even when they don't want to be dicks.
Regarding the driver who is reluctant or hesitant to pass a cyclist, this is often a result of a minimum passing distance rule (yes some drivers really want to follow the rules!) it can often be fixed by the cyclist slowing and/or deliberately moving towards the side along with a glance over the shoulder. This normally says to the driver "I'm ok for you to pass me" I find it works most of the time. Sometimes when the road is just too narrow it is better to just pull over into a space and stop to let drivers past, roads like this are normally not busy.
For the empathy perspective it would be good for everybody to have some experience driving different types of vehicles. I am fortunate enough to know wat it's like to drive a tractor with trailer, a van, a car and a bicycle. I'm sure this has made me a better driver and road user in general.
I was talking to a random cyclist. We noticed 2 cyclists chatting side-by-side. They acknowledge they knew cars were waiting to pass them but chose to continue with their conversation. When the driver, of the first car, passed them within the law, the 2 cyclists attempted to engage the driver into road rage by swearing. The driver ignored them. The cyclist I was talking to said "Those cyclists are making all cyclists look bad. Don't behave like that!"
I always give a car width space for cyclists I slow to a snails pace to avoid the wind vortex as I pass. Thankfully in the UK the highway code changed, so rather than cyclists cycling at the side of the road wishing for the best, a cyclist can take control of the lane in dangerous situations to stop cars and other vehicles overtaking. It's not the same as a dedicated cycle lane but it's legal protection and a motorist can get points on their licence for breaking the rules.
Riding at the edge of the road only gives drivers space to put their cars where they should not be in the first place. A safe, legal pass doesn't need a square millimeter of your lane, unless it's an emergency vehicle.
What I find most challenging is making a left or right turn in a car on a busy road with bike lanes. In Montreal the other day I was on a busy road with 2 lanes of relatively fast car traffic in each direction and a busy protected bike path to the right side of me, in addition to a sidewalk with pedestrian traffic. Making a right turn as a car in that sort of situation needs improvement because you need to keep an eye on so many things - is there opposing car traffic making a left turn to the same street I'm turning on to?; is there a car coming out of the street I'm turning onto that I need to be aware of?; are there cyclists or pedestrians going in either direction that will be crossing the street while I'm turning? - all the while feeling pressured by car traffic around and behind you wanting to go as fast as possible, so slowing down to examine the situation feels disincentivized. It is certainly much, much easier on a road where cars are traveling slower, but turns remain a tricky situation.
Disagree on the "keep as right as reasonably possible". I make sure to ride so that a passing driver MUST veer into the other lane, at least somewhat. This ensures that the driver must consider me and realize that there's a person here (sounds stupid, but so many drivers are on autopilot). Also this ensures that the driver won't pass me when there's a car coming from the other direction - he might think we all fit, but I'm ****ed
Definitely, I'll show it to my parents who commute by car and not by bike (but, lastly they improve themselve because I'm now always commuting by bike and say them to be cautious on the roadfor me and other bikecommuters, maybe I said it to much to them.. no never😂)
Taking the lane is the safest way to ride on the road. I have started exclusively taking the lane and yielding to cars by exception, to be clear, I ride an E-bike on predominantly 50kph(30mph)roads. I travel between 25-35kph most of the time, and the route I take has a lot of pedestrian crossings/narrow points/street parking that causes the road to widen and narrow very often. Basically, I trust myself to judge if there is space for a car to overtake far more than I trust the car. A lot of the time before I did this people would try and overtake me at 35kph going 40/45 and run out of space before the next parked car/narrow section. Results so far has been significantly less conflicts with regular traffic, but slightly more frequent deliberate malevolence. Overall I much prefer this way of riding, but I understand in places where you are riding on multi lane roads or in conjunction with faster traffic, it might not be an option.
I see so many cars doing evil and dangerous passes around my bike, including intentionally crowding and knocking me over. Honking and tailgating also. Philadelphia drivers often are monsters.
Also, motorists, where you are turning off a street across a bike lane, please don't overtake cyclists in that bike lane and then cut across them! In fact, even if you are not intending to cut across the cyclist, it also helps to slow down behind them and wait and turn when you get to the road, rather than come past them just before slowing down and stopping, forcing them to have to make the decision to either keep on going and risk you not having seen them or to stop suddenly and let you across their path.
What are your thoughts on mounting a 95 cm long pool noodle projecting off the left side of the bicycle? I found this quite effective when I lived in Ottawa.
In Australia bikes are required to do hook turns they aren’t allowed to make that type of left turn unless its from a bike lane or if signs indicate bikes are priority traffic
REally? The only time I've done a hook turn on my bike is where it is required in Melbourne. All other times I take the correct position on the road and turn just like a car does.
"Polite motorists" are the worst! Especially the ones who try to yield to my left turn when they have the right of way: Car in front of me: Me: My arm is sticking out like this because I'm signaling a left turn. Car: Me: You're asking me to trust you with my life while simultaneously demonstrating that you dont know the rules of the road. ... ... Car: "Honest officer, I dont know why they cut in front of me. I feel just awful for accidentally running over them. But I did have the right of way, right?"
I'm a dick on a bike. I take my space. They get their privelege I get my space. I will weave through traffic on my bike. If they are allowed to clog up the city I'm allowed to take the fastest route, no matter how annoying I might be to car drivers
One thing even careful drivers often don't consider: Bikes are not stationary; they are moving, and sometimes (downhill) middling fast. As a result, drivers often pull back in too soon after overtaking (or even turn immediately after), or they pull out onto a main road right in front of a bike.
3:40 id say this is the average pass length i experience sadly 5:00 extremly good point. way too many cyclings are scared of the road and put themselves in wayyy more danger doing this
A lot of people don't know how to drive anymore. And I can't believe modern vehicles have been allowed these huge touchscreens to be installed on the dashboard. Its insane that this is not deemed unsafe. Also, there appears to be an inverse correlation between the size of a vehicle and it's driver's ability to drive😂
I dislike the 'unexpected courtesy' interaction so much, especially at all-way stops; it's faster and safer for everyone to proceed when it's your turn, rather than make things unpredictable.
Many drivers also don’t realize how difficult it can be to see them through the glare on the windshield. I’ve had drivers try to wave me on, but I couldn’t see them doing it, so we’re both just sitting at the intersection, waiting for the other to go.
agreed. It can also cause problems when the car behind the yielding car gets annoyed and drives around or when stopping for kids/younger folks it can cause them to quickly react and go without double checking the other direction.
@@SteveHair01 Yeah, that and tinted windows, made worse when wearing sunglasses.
Someone once told me, "Don't be nice when you're driving - be predictable." I think that's great advice that applies here.
I cycle with my kids and try to teach them the rules of traffic. Especially in these situations car drivers want to be polite and mess up my lessons.
"as far right as PRACTICAL" is so huge. sometimes, the furthest right i can safely + practically go is the midlde-left of the lane.
The law where I live is for the cyclist to ‘take the lane’. There are road signs that state this and show a cyclist doing this action.
That's the stupid law in BC. In Ontario, it is slower traffic yields to faster traffic whenever SAFE and PRACTICAL. So, if you are ridding at the speed limit (or the speed of traffic flow) on the right-hand lane, you may use the block position to take the whole lane.
@@SkipGole in stupid california, from prior visits, the signs say "share the road" or bikes "MAY use full lane" (capitals my emphasis). And stupid drivers interpret this as "it would be nice if I do but it's not STRICTLY required" and more meek cyclists are deterred. i always ride in the middle of the lane unless i have a very wide and clear shoulder (aka painted bike lane).
I never ride my bike further to the right then I would put the right side of my car if I was driving
I used to be as far as right kind of rider.
Glad you covered the car waiving you through. Worse case scenario a motor vehicle driver behind them is in hurry, can't understand why they stopped, can't see you, and starts to hustle around them, running the cyclist over.
I find it annoying when a car does it, but I will still give them a wave. I mean it's a nice gesture but most of the time, it is super awkward and creates more of an issue, then if they just continued like they were supposed to. It's the same when they do it when you are pedestrian. Unless, you have to legally stop, please just keep moving (car drivers)
It goes the other way, too! Just a couple of days ago I was in a car and a pedestrian was about to cross a side street that I was also about to turn into. Pedestrians have right of way in this scenario, so I stopped and waited. He waved me on. I tried to refuse it and wave him on, but he stubbornly kept waving me on, so I went.
If everyone just followed the road rules things would go so much more smoothly.
Someone got hit in the awkward transition between two sets of dedicated bike lanes in my city last year due to this reason.
To be fair, this was a lot less dangerous back when cars weren't 6 feet tall with tinted windows.
In my road safety course the instructor pointed out that it can be insurance fraud as well.
They wave you through, then the resulting crash is deemed your fault: due to the right-of-way rules.
There are a lot of places in North America where the designated bike routes basically rely on drivers being kind and stopping to let bikes through. There's a spot I ride through (designated bike route crossing another street) almost every day where the only time you're getting a natural break in traffic is when traffic is fully backed up to the next signal. If someone stops for you, just be thankful there are still people who will stop.
When a car behind me courteously waits to pass and I see an opening on the side of the road long enough for me to get in and cycle safely, I wave the car to pass by. Most drivers appreciate that gesture, and positive vibes are created. Win/win,
Yeah, obviously weaving in and out of parking lane isn't good, but if the gap is big enough, i will move over and give the car room to pass and then move back over into the driving lane. Believe me, I don't want to hold you back, having a car close behind you for a long period of time being unable to pass is such a anxious situation that if I can do anything to get past that situation I will.
I do the same thing. Never hurts to show appreciation for the courtesy. And in the rare instances when a passing driver refuses to pause for an oncoming car, I often see the oncoming driver move well over to their right to give the impatient driver extra space. I always try to give that driver a wave too. Happily, most drivers in Vermont will wait to pass safely.
@@Arjay404 Exactly, cyclists don't want to block drivers any more than drivers want to be blocked by them.
But it’s almost like that window is when they accumulate the most bricks in their pants
Where to position your bike is such a subtle but important determining factor in how cars pass or do not pass. If I'm in a 35 zone with 4 lanes (plus a center turning lane), and there are parked cars at the curb, I will take the full right-hand lane. This may surprise drivers, but ultimately, they realize they have the left lane to safely pass, and it's a much better scenario for everyone instead of expecting cars to squeeze past me and have me stress about the door zone. Whenever I feel that an unsafe pass is likely to happen because an extreme right of lane hugging is encouraging passing with bad sight lines vs. the car waiting for clear passing, I take the lane. Riding inches from the soft shoulder encourages unsafe passing by cars, and in that case, they often don't even slow down. I suppose you could say I err on the side of lane presence positioning to encourage thoughtful passing vs. casual unthinking blasting past me.
Coming from somewhere with typically narrow lanes, I generally cycle in the middle of the lane where I am more visible and have space to move into if a vehicle comes too close. Being too close to the kerb just seems to encourage reckles overtaking. As for excessive courtesy, I have come across this also when driving and, it is definately better when everybody follows the rules, that way everything is predictable.
I take the whole lane every time there's not a bike lane. I even ride slightly left of the center of the lane, to make it even clearer that they shall not pass (🧙🏻♂️), except by going fully into the other lane.
And if it's a one lane street, tough luck, they're waiting.
@@2mains234 Yes, my local council put up signs and road markings to encourage cyclists to 'take the lane'. this is especially important where you get narrowing, like at a traffic island. I'll always adjust my position as I see bottlenecks ahead.
Never ride in the door zone. Just don't.
The problem with bike lanes in my city is that the lanes are located where the road debris (gravel, glass, nuts, bolts) collects and the city and state do not maintain the lanes. This is a particular problem in the winter months when the city uses gravel on the roads (no plows or deicer). The gravel remains for weeks on end.
Yes, I feel this. I'd say this is another argument in favour of "taking the lane," rather than cowering in the debris of the gutter.
Agreed - it sucks because - as any bicyclist/non-car-traveling person can attest - I don't want to be near cars either!
Also, I don't know how to effectively say, "the bike lane is full of debris that can make me fall unexpectedly - you know, like how You wouldn't want to drive on rocks and knives that are literally at least as wide as your tires? - so it's generally safer to ride on the road, than in the bike lane", in the time that the driver is cursing me out, and whipping around me as close to my body, and as fast as possible
@@Shifter_Cycling Only problem is then the motorists complain that "nobody is using the bike lanes!"
In my area we have little to no bike lanes so I always have to worry about dirt/gravel and sometimes glass if I'm unlucky so I try to ride the white lines for the most part
@@jamesphillips2285 I hear that pretty often. I just try to gauge the driver and if they appear to be reasonable I'll take the lane. If they look annoyed I'll get out of the way. I've been hit twice so just getting out of the way is safest. These people also don't understand data and have never computed the statistics they belch. But the traffic engineers have and that's why the lanes exist.
A few thoughts as a regular cyclist: when passing, my recommendation for cyclists is to take space when it is unsafe to pass you (worst case at least you built space to your right to dodge; Absolute worst is to be all the way right already and have a car pass anyway with no space!). For drivers, look at the bike. Typically, they will happily give you more space to go when they can and safe for them. If they aren't giving you space, they probably are not safe in that situation (they might see something you don't, like a person in a parked car about to open their door...)
My second one for Drivers is when turning right, to use your turn signal BEFORE you start turning, so that any bicycle behind you knows you are about to move in front of them and often you will see that they will slow down to let you go, or merge left to go around you without being in your way. At intersections I also recommend moving slowly but surely to the right of the road and over the bike lane (in most places that is how the law works), which allows you to turn safely and bikes to go around you if they are going straight. DON'T do it too early if there is traffic though, you will only force cyclists to dangerously zig-zag around you. Also, if there is a turn lane on the right of the bike lane, please, please, please, get fully into that lane. DON'T be half in the bike lane, that defeats the purpose as the cyclists will now have to merge left into the car lane to go around you!
Good tips, thanks for sharing!
Came here to say the same thing about taking up space, especially on small streets with on street parking on both sides. If there are parked cars on both sides of me, I'm riding in the middle of the street.
I couldn't agree more. Riding all the way to the right is asking for trouble. You have to reserve space for yourself. when it's safe, do a shoulder check to communicate to the driver that you are aware of them and then move over telling them that you are OK with being passed. If it isn't safe for them to pass, take the lane and then move over when it is safe, but not all the way over to the right. Keep some space in reserve.
I agree with taking up space, but remain vigilant as some drivers will overtake you no matter how much (or little) space you give them 🙃
I agree with drivers needing to indicate, and check their mirrors and blind spot properly before turning. In heavy slow traffic cyclists could be travelling much faster than the cars, and hastily turning right without checking for bikes undertaking - especially if there is a bike lane there. Can cause a collision.
Great video Tom. The “waive through” is a pet peeve because it is so dangerous. Just treat me on my bike like a vehicle and follow the rules of the road.
I agree for the circumstance shown, but as drivers we wave/flash other drivers through, especially in busy traffic. So I'd do the same as a driver for a cyclist, and expect this from a driver if I'm cycling.
As for the stop sign, that junction has good visibility and both look like quiet back streets, so there is no reason it needs anything other than the usual give way markings.
I have a feeling that the growth in e bike use is going to have an effect where bikes will be expected to stop at signs and behave more like any other road vehicle.
I hate it as a pedestrian too. If I stop before the edge of the road it's because I want to cross leisurely not at pace because there is a car waiting to turn.
i had a guy the other day think that he didn’t need to wait in line at an intersection to get into the turn lane, and pulled halfway out into the oncoming lane to skip everyone, and nearly smashed into me. car drivers have no clue how to act around cyclists. thanks for this video, i hope non-cyclists actually watch it and learn
MGIF (Must Get In Front) Syndrome is very real in my city. Someone will roar past at 45 mph just to slam on the brakes at a light in 100 feet and then I pass them again while they sit there behind other cars. Such is life 🤷🏼♂️
You're absolutely correct.. MGIF syndrome is real in a city like New York.. it's so silly bc biking is by far the fastest mode of transportation in New York city within 3 miles distance.. but drivers always wanna pass you just to sit at a traffic light
MGIF is also very real in Berlin.
Lol complaining about others getting in front of you right before boasting about getting in front of them after they passed you.
Thereby slowing them down and forcing them to pass you again. Imagine a car doing that to another car on a highway... the fast car would not be considered the asshole
Whereas most cyclists are also drivers (or have the ability to drive), part of the solution is to get drivers-only folks to have some level of cycling experience, so they understand the environment of being a cyclist in the city and be more aware. The reason it’s so safe cycling in the Netherlands is that so many drivers are also cyclists themselves. Even if that’s not the case, I bet every Dutch driver knows at least a few cyclist in their circle of friends and family.
Yes, great point.
Good luck in some countries. In America most people rather not use the stairs so I could barely imagine the same people using bikes to get a better understanding
I wish they required people to log hours biking on the road to get their driver's license. Disabled people could use a wheelchair or a recumbent bike.
Interesting point. I like that idea@@karikling6751
@@karikling6751 If everyone rode a bike for one week per year, most of these if not all of these biking problems would go away, or be solved. I myself had no idea how dangerous the roads were for bikers, till a few years ago when I took up biking again. So folks who drive cars only, never really notice any infrastructure that does not relate to them, they never notice bike lanes, or even bad sidewalks for pedestrians, as that does not concern them, and they are traveling too fast to really notice these things anyways.
From one who had his elbow clipped by a car passing. Thanks for the public safety massage. Motorcyclists are trained to 'own the lane' for satety; maybe we could use a few more safety tips from them. Lastly, I suggest doing a 'big left turn' in some situations.
Thanks so much for the amazing show of support. And you make a good point. The ideas of "vehicular cycling" have been left behind in favour of building bike lanes, but I think the old vehicular cycling idea of taking the lane still applies in a lot of scenarios.
For "big left turns" you have to be mindful of traffic turning right onto the same road you are.
The one that had me looking for an escape route one day was a semi-trailer. They need TWO lanes to turn.
@@jamesphillips2285 , excellent point.
A great thing In Melbourne, Australia is that bicycles can do a "hook turn" at basically any intersection for safety. Means you can avoid the dreaded changing lanes and waiting for traffic to clear to turn.
Just returned from a cycling trip in Tenerife and was pleasantly surprised with how much respect drivers gave to cyclists, despite having zero cycling infrastructure and regardless of the situation, urban or rural.
Pretty much every driver, without fail, would patiently wait until there was a clear opportunity to overtake, regardless of how slow you were going, and do so by fully crossing the road to the opposite lane.
I honestly felt safer cycling there than in places WITH cycling infrastructure! Driver education/attitude seems to be the key.
This is also my general experience with Spanish drivers.
Good to know am off to the canaries in a few weeks time =)
Absolutely, if only driving lessons and attitude could be taught the same way back in the UK. It would be a much quicker and cheaper fix, without requiring massive cost and changes to infrastructure, and clearly works in certain parts of the world.@@grahambonner508
Tom, please consider collab on a video like this with a car-centric/focused channel. That will get the discussion where it needs to be. Thanks.
It's more difficult for drivers to have empathy if they have never moved more than 10 meters without a car
I still get surprised as drivers struggle to not be dicks, even the ones that try.
It's just hard if you have not a clue of how agressive your vehicle is for the city around it
I agree that people who also ride bikes make the best drivers. And it's true those with the most patience are also likely to have experience getting around in ways other than a motor vehicle.
Americans would be offended if they knew what meters meant.
But hasn't nearly everybody both been on bicycles as kids when that was the only way to get around independently, and also had accidents as kids therefore knowing how much that hurts? That's a lot of basis for this empathy.
@@cadriver2570 We all know what meters are and we convert to and from metric figures all the time. We all got that in school. My rule of thumb for that has always been 39 inches. I'm positive we convert more than Canadians do.
@@derekjolly3680 I'm an American and very few Americans use the metric system outside of engineers.
This is a great video to share with the drivers in your life as Spring arrives! It’s important to talk about these issues and even invite people to bike with you, just to show them what it feels like.
When I’m cycling, I promise I’m moving as fast as I can. I don’t like holding people up and it’s SCARY having massive vehicles around you. Most people driving cars are perfectly respectful… but it only takes one who isn’t…
In most cases I would say that you took the words from my mouth!! My only addition to drivers in Australia would be to say that when bikes are overtaking stationary cars, it’s okay for the bike to leave enough separation in case a car door is opened unexpectedly in front of of them. The consequences are normally serious and it happens often enough to have its own name - ‘dooring.’
Excellent video, thanks!
Dutch reach
Hello from the UK!
Side by side cycling is not always against the law / local jurisdiction and its often safer as cars have half the length of cyclists to overtake. This often enables a shorter overtake without blocking any safe overtaking opportunities
The number 1 reason he called out (if you want to think of it this way) is that if car drivers band together and make cycling fun and safe that removes cars from the road. The next time you are the last person making that left turn on the yellow JUST as it's turning red picture all the cyclists you saw driving pickup trucks instead. It only takes a couple of them to make you miss that light. It's better to slow down for 2 seconds here or there than to sit at the red light for 2 minutes.
That's why I use the California method to turn left, where you wait in the intersection, so that even if oncoming traffic runs the red, I can still go after the light change
He Shifter, very good video.👍👍 I was taught that traffic is a way of cooperation in a shared space, without speech (but by rules). In a way like "he i drive faster, let me overtake you", "how do you and I and all the others cross this junction in a efficient way". The same goes when bikes are involved. I get the impression from YT vids that US drivers expect to be the only one on the road in which case rules are irrelevant. But because there are more users on the road, drivers get angry with the others for being on the road with their unexpected behavior.
I kinda started driving carefully around cyclists when I started cycling again. Makes me more aware of what they feel even if I am not the one riding a bike.
you always need to experience something yourself to do the right thing or are you an adult?
@@SuperRat420 and here you are, passively aggressive like a teenager 😉
@@drill_fiend1097 because you're obviously a child and need to be spoken to on that level. I swear fourwheelers are the absolute worst.
@@SuperRat420 I am a pro-cycling yet you are throwing ad hominems. It's pretty evident you need to go outside and ride more bikes 😁
@@drill_fiend1097 because you needed to experience yourself instead of being an adult who respects others and their safety as default. Honestly it's freaking sad
That was a good topic. Here another thing that would help the motorist and cyclists dilemma. Before the students even operate a motor vehicle, make them learn how to navigate the streets on a bike. Students would learn the laws of the road, understand the vulnerabilities of the cyclist and be a better defensive driver. Just a thought.
That is my day to day experience, as a commute to work in my bike on a country without bike lanes.
Great video, Tom! I think this will be another link to share to avoid annoying, repetitive conversations, much like the one you did on helmets.
You read my mind 😆
Thank you for making this video Tom!
From my experience, crossing or turning on a intersection is a lot safer when you’re behind a car. You can use the car as a buffer for other cars on the road
Thanks for saying these important things to help cyclists and motorists safely share the roads.
You should keep min 1 Meter/3 feet away from parking cars. Dooring it's really dangerous.
made me uncomfortable watching that.
"It's wrong to kill people"...Glad that you are taking a strong moral stand to start with.😊
Great video! Keep up the great work
Just the other day I witnessed a car crash caused by someone trying to be courteous. In the direction I was going, the left lane was stopped on the other side of the intersection and middle lane was open, but a truck had stopped to let the on-coming left turn lane go. The right lane was left wide open. An SUV from the other direction turned left as a sedan in the right lane gunned it through the intersection. The sedan couldn't stop in time and ran into the back of the SUV.
The SUV shouldn't have turned left since there was still an open lane, but if that truck hadn't stopped, the SUV would not have turned left. I doubt too that the SUV could see past the truck to know the sedan was coming.
Thanks for this. It's pretty old news for me, but I haven't heard people discuss this for some time now.
I suggest what I saw maybe 2 years ago: tie a pool noodle perpendicular to your bike rack, pointing left. When I first saw this, I thought that it was stupid and meaningless, until I realized that the pool noodle tells drivers to give more space. Drivers will instinctively avoid the left-most tip of the noodle, which will give you enough space.
Another unexpected 'courtesy' that makes me nuts is when a driver approaches from behind, has safe clearance to pass, and then honks to let you know they're there and about to overtake. Talk about jumping out of my skin! Nothing makes me more likely to swerve than a sudden 110 decibel blast while I'm navigating the edge of a road gutter on 35 mm tires. I get this a lot on more rural / secondary roads. And I always already know the motorist is there (thanks to my ears, my rear-view mirror or my Garmin Varia radar).
Yeah I folks mean well when they do this but they have no idea how insulated they are from the sound inside their cars. Everytime this happens it scares the hell out of me and leaves me in sensory overload. Super dangerous.
What I have noticed from people around me is that too many people see bikes as solely recreational, and I think that is a primary reason so many motorists don't have patience for cyclists. It's like their mind defaults to _"I have someplace I need to be and you're slowing me down riding your bike for fun. Get off the road and go ride around a park!"_
This needs to change.
When I took my drivers license exam, this was never covered.
I'm not surprised. I mean: What kind of person makes "proliferating the habit of moving around in a huge, motorized cage of steel" the objective of their life?
Hardly anyone else becomes a driving teacher.
lol I took mine on an AIRPORT with zero cars around
I'm not surprised either. US driver's tests are woefully vague and not strict enough. There is also the lack of transit so people who don't care at all about cars and driving need to drive and maintain a massive vehicle regardless.
@@ambiarock590 I was a 16yo and forced by folks to take the test. Went right back and turned license in until 21. The amount of jobs I was turned down for in my ONE SQUARE MILE town was absurd. I want hire standard too but rn now all we are doing is keeping poor folks from working.
Fun fact, if driver passes a cyclist in unsafe manner and that cyclist then catches up to them at the next light the driver has to pay them $20 and give them a high five. It's true, Look it up. That is why you always should pass either safely or in a manner where it will really make a difference in your travel time.
Great video! I especially like the reminder that we are all on our way to somewhere and time is equally precious, so use your empathy skills first.
The city I live in has a good network of bike lanes and most MV drivers deal with them very well. My issue is when residents place their rubbish bins in the bike lane and the MV operators expect you to divert to the sidewalk even though the municipal code allows for bicyclist to travel in the roadway to avoid hazards in the bike lane.
As someone who commutes by bicycle in cities like Bangkok, I must say the explanation into the difficulty of riding with cars on the road is on point, but for sure, will be very difficult to apply with cities in developing countries like Bangkok, known for terrific traffic and non-existing bike lanes. Driver here, especially for buses and taxis are notorious for driving recklessly, so it's like the difficulty explained in this video but times 100x 😂. For many of us here, one of the best solution is to just avoid bigger roads entirely where drivers tend to be rude, and just leverage a local network of smaller alleyways to avoid fast moving cars. Anyway, I really hope more people will hear your message, so we bicycle commuters just be a bit more safe. 🙌
The simplest rule for overtaking is to *completely* move over into the next lane - and when that is used (even just by another cyclists in the other direction) then don't overtake.
lol, here drivers overtake other cars when there is a cyclist in opposite direction. Or overtake other car while that car is overtaking a cyclist.
@@Warxcell well, some people actually are assholes… like those.
Excellent video Tom!! As a CanBike safety instructor, I can say that you covered all of the major points. Yes, wouldn't it be nice if we had proper safe infrastructure? Or if drivers were required to take a bicycle safety course, riding on our roads first before they get their license? Or if all driving course instructors taught the 'Dutch Reach'? I take the lane when I have to, adhere to 'Destination Positioning', predictabilty and visibility. Whenever a motorist passes me with respect, caution and space I add a friendly wave. Slather the kindness to grease the way for other fellow cyclists! Well done!
amazing you have to say this....
Yep! Simply follow traffic rules and everything goes fine for all.
Greetings from London, England. Found your channel recently and am really enjoying it. Thanks for this particular episode too; as a middle aged urban commuter I encounter many of the situations you describe and pretty much agree with everything you suggest. Keep up the good work! Regards, Micky
Great video! :) One additional tip for car drivers: Always assume, that the cyclist has no appropriate knowledge about traffic laws! Lots of us have driver license as cyclists, but as far as I know, in most countries you don't have to take any exam to cycle, or participate in traffic in any other form then motorized vehicles. Therefore it can be assumed, that it is more likely to make a mistake in the traffic on bycicle or as pedestrian than in a car. I really think every driver should own this mindset and protect other participants, especially in cities.
I was just honked at for riding in the road. No sidewalks in a 30mph zone. It was a young teen driver
I was keeping to the far right
@@Dontslaythybroski You could be very attractive?
I had a bunch of teens fly past me in a 40km/h zone in their parents Mercedes, roll their windows down and yell “SIDEWALK” at me.
@@PoserBallin the undeveloped brain can be quite annoying sometimes lol❤️
@@PoserBallin Riding a bike on the sidewalk is for children. Lots of municipalities ban adults from riding bikes on the sidewalks. The problem is that too many people stop riding bikes before they become adults. I'm not surprised the teens thought bikes belong on the sidewalk. That's probably the only place they've ever ridden one.
In my country it has gotten better, but just some years ago many drivers liked to maliciously pass you, get as close to you as possible and raise speed, leading to very dangerous situations. Still getting shivers about this one bus who was going above the speed limit and there was only like a 5cm gap from my handlebars on a road bike..
I'd like to see an advertising campaign for drivers educating them about the rules of the road for cyclists and covering these points. A lot of drivers learned how to drive pre-bike lane and if they don't ride, they don't realize how scary their death machines are to cyclists.
The key to for motorists is remembering that we're not f-ing cyclists -- we're human beings who happen to have chosen to use a bicycle instead of a car on this occasion. It is not our intent to impede your progress or cramp your style. We merely want to get where we're going safely and efficiently.
I have a theory -- the car who is driving behind you _thinks_ that they are waiting for a safe moment to pass. But what they are really doing is getting behind your bike and not feeling confident to pass you, and then a clock starts in their mind, and after 20 seconds, or whatever it is for that driver, they get the feeling that they've waited long enough, and then the pass you right at that moment, even if it isn't safe. In that situation, they do not think they are bad, impatient, or at all doing it wrong, and they feel very justified. Which is why if you ask them to wait for a safe moment, it doesn't really help, they need more guidance than that and probably a rule of thumb to tell them when to pass. Anyway, thanks for reading my theory!!
The lane positioning actually differs depending on where you are. In England, for instance, the Highway Code tells cyclists to take the middle of the lane anywhere they feel like, especially near junctions, on narrow roads, etc. It is also recommended to ride at least a meter out anytime you pass a parked car. Might be worth adding a note that lane positioning is also jurisdiction-specific 😊
England also recognises the right of cyclists to ride side by side
Dear Tom,
Enjoy your channel and have learning some helpful stuff from you. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Regarding left tuns:
Been biking in roads for a long time, starting 1980 in Manhattan . Have never biked in a city that did anything significant to make it simpler for bikers though New York City is trying now. Have not been back to NYC to try the new infrastructure. . .
When making left turns, I’ve found it often necessary to stay all the way to the right, cross the perpendicular road (onto which I want to make a left turn), stop and then pivot my bike 90 degrees to the left (putting me all the way right on the new road) and wait for the light to change or road to clear that I had just been on.
Something perhaps to try and/or comment on.
Thanks.
All the best
In the UK the law was changed reasonably recently to encourage side by side riding. The logic being it's safer for all - an overtaking car being able to pass both bikes in one go minimising their time in the other lane. In practice not all drivers appear to have bought into the change. One thing cyclists can do is install a camera on their bike and provide close pass video's to the police. Not to prosecute - rather to educate - a quiet word from the police hopefully changing future behaviour.
Unfortunately education often has to be accompanied by prosecution, and even then it often does not work. I'm sure Cycling Mickey would concur.
Empathy is what is missing by many, drivers with cyclist and/or cyclists with pedestrians and vice and versa. Boils down to « don't be a dick! »
Nice video.
Where I live in Massachusetts, the new requirement is 4 feet of passing space for cars between pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users. Most car drivers and most bikers are perfectly good folks, the problem is that most road users in the area where I live encounter one unsafe car driver a day--and that encounter could be deadly.
Regarding driver behaviour all I would say is - just imagine the cyclist or pedestrian is a loved one, a member of your family and treat them as such.
Regarding cyclist behaviour - follow the rules as much as possible, sometimes we need to accommodate by slowing or pulling over to let a motorist pass, never try to force the issue because you have priority, this rarely ends well.
In summary: as people, regardless of how we choose to travel, we should take time to be nice to each other, the benefit from a nice and friendly interaction can make a big difference to how we feel throughout the day.
“It is wrong to kill people even if you are using your car” is not something I thought needed to be said but I’ve had people argue with me on that
after spending half a year in toronto, how i deal with most of these situations is by communicating to the motorist by signaling ahead of time my intentions and when possible encouraging them to go ahead first.
1. From what i've seen, the languages for cyclists staying to right uses the phrase "practicable and safe", not "practical and safe".
2. Regarding predictability, as a cyclist i find i get a lot more passing room from motorists if i ride a little bit unpredictably. Especially where i do not want to take the whole lane, but drivers tend to pass too close, i will often ride as if i am slightly drunk. This is extremely effective at getting drivers to allocate appropriate passing room.
Great educational video. I also wear hivis, lights on day & night & have a mirror for riding on the streets to be more visible. Glad you covered the extra courteous drivers giving too much right of way unnecessarily 🚴
Timely taking of your right-of-way is key to keeping all traffic, not just cyclists, moving safely. Also, keep in mind that if you're waving on a cyclist from inside a vehicle, they may not see your hand signal because of your window tint or reflections off the windscreen. Don't be surprised if they do not react; they know you have the right-of-way and are expecting you to use it.
Yes! I've had drivers try to wave me through an intersection when they have had the right-of-way but I couldn't see inside their cars due to glare.
I'm with you on the "wave through" when a car has ROW. Like, hey I appreciate it, but #1 I stopped anyway and #2, just be predicable and go!
Love it! Thanks Tom!
some good advice i've read about where to bike on a road is to stay on the outer third of the lane: it gives a nice balance of leaving space to pass safely, discouraging dangerous passes, keeping a margin for you to swerve if a car gets too close, and not irritating drivers quite so much as when you're right in the middle of the lane..
What people get wrong about single file vs two files is that for groups rides having two files makes it easier to pass the group (because the group now is not that long). In Germany you usually have to ride single file but in groups of a certain size you are allowed to ride in pairs.
Part 4 is very important and I totally agree with you. Drivers shouldn't feel the need to wait for cyclists even when they have the right of way.
There is also something I like to add to Part 3: yes, ride on the right side of the road, IF there is enough space for a safe pass. If not, ride in the middle of the street, it's much safer that way. Drivers shouldn't pass you in that scenario anyway and in my experience they will always try, even if there is no space at all.
Oh and something about the empathy, just to put it into perspective for drivers: If there are 10 idiots on bikes, a motorist will be annoyed (rightfully so). If there is one idiot in a car the cyclist might literally die. That's why cyclist can react very allergic to reckless drivers.
1 meter is actually insane as a minimum, should be at least 2.
yeah 2 is good and 2 also happens to be basically a whole car lane which makes it much easier to estimate the correct distance.
@@oplkfdhgk 2 meters is more than half of a car lane but nowhere close to a whole car lane. 2 meters is 67% of an urban car lane (3 meters) and 54% of a highway lane (3.7 meters). That shows giving cyclists enough room is more space efficient than building another lane.
@@stuartwithers8755 well I guess we have tiny car lanes where I live cus they are apparently more like 2.5m but we also have very low speeds. On higher speed roads the width is obviously more but obviously on higher speed roads you also need to give cyclist more space so I think it's still a good rule of thumb.
A meter is okay space-wise, but I can see inexperienced cyclists believing it's too close from their point of view as the car cames in "from nowhere"
Depends on speed. If the vehicle is going 30 km/h, a metre feels adequate. At 80+ km/h I want 2 m.
Thank you for this video, it's always about respect on the road. We all are human beings, and we have to go places. Thanks, God, people in my area are the best people. "whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them"
also as someone who drives for a living, I encourage everyone to try driving around with a window or two open. I honestly enjoy it. Being able to take in more of my surroundings, even in boring places I've been to five times that week. and for the frugal, remember, except for plug-in electric cars, all heat is just comming from the coolant that would of otherwise been sent to the radiator and waisted anyways, and for those extra dollars supposedly running more cooling, remember that evaporation is surpringly effective and even more so at 30mph compared to a ceiling fan or desk fan. So, you can be more aware of your suroudings, enjoy yoyr commute more, and just maybe even save a couple bucks a month just by rolling your window down a few inches, I regularly keep about 4 inches open and not once has anyone attempted to break into the vehicle in the three years I've been doing this in a major city downtown.
this video gave me Mr.bean and that dorky car that always bullies him xD very great vid! YEAH get some awareness out there!
As a kid, I never understood 'weaving in and out of parked cars.' 'Hold your line' makes a lot more sense. Especially for children, who are working to learn how to stay in a straight line.
As for the nice motorist waving you through an intersection, they are often so focused on seeing the bike, that they are not aware of the other vehicles in and around the intersection. On the bike, my head is always on a swivel.
As somewhat performance oriented road cyclist, I tend to demonstrate positive attitude towards drivers.
Probably the most important is to be predictable. Behave in a way, that it is easy to guess, what you are about to do.
Use gestures (left hand with right-hand side driving):
- If you are about to turn or change lane, signal with you hands.
- If you have better view than the driver behind you, don't hesitate to show him to slow down (pushing you hand downwards.
- If you can see farther beyond a turn, wave riders to pass you. (many drivers blink their warning signals to thank me afterwards)
- If you can see, that is not safe to pass you, take the lane and signal, that driver should slow down. Clear the lane ASAP afterwards. Drivers will understand and appreciate.
- If you meet patient driver, show them kudos. It is good to encourage good behavior.
And on the road, be confident. It is not universal rule to mitigate risks, but you are going to be better peer for other road users.
I don't think saying "Stay to the right/side" is a good way of passing that information. Instead, I'd say 'keep a arms width away from the side of the road at all times, including parked cars. Take the middle of the lane when you do not want cars overtaking, such as at a road narrowing, junction or red traffic light'
I feel by default, most new cyclists would stay as far to the side as possible, so saying it's okay to go a little further out is better.
Oh, and RED LIGHTS APPLY TO CYCLISTS AS WELL - Absolutely insane seeing other pass red light
Most cyclist accidents (atleast in London) is at junctions and big vehicles. So if you see a bus or lorry, avoid overtaking from the inside and assume they cannot see you. So in an odd way, cyclist should give big vehicles plenty of space when overtaking.
I sometimes run red lights when I'm on my bike.
If it looks safe to do so, of course.
It sucks breathing in toxic fumes from stopped cars next to you, especially when you're riding in the middle of the day in the sweltering hot climate where I live.
Stopping and waiting at red lights is barely an inconvenience when you're in the comfortable, climate-controlled bubble of a car. It can be torturous when sweat is cascading down your back and you want fresh oxygen instead of carbon monoxide as you ride your bike.
Where I live, stop lights can be treated as stop signs for bikes when it is safe to cross, and stop signs can be treated as yield signs when it is safe to cross.
I have two bridge crossing during my commute on a 60kph road. One is short, crossing it takes less than three seconds. Although short, this bridges lanes narrow
too much to allow lane sharing.
The 2nd bridge is much longer, and is flanked by raised sidewalks on either side. The curbs to these raised sidewalks is a staggering 14" tall. The lanes on this bridge are wide enough to allow lane sharing and even accommodate safe passing distances. But you will never find me cycling anywhere near those absurdly high curbs.
This stretch is where I encounter the greatest hostility from motorists simply because I choose to take the lane for 15 seconds, shudder.
@@elnegrobembon Oh no, I got to stay with the plebs during the red light, what will I do besides breaking the law and whining when inevitably one of the car pleb hits me.
One thing I think would help is to bring back drivers education in the public high schools. That and a meaningful, intense, prolonged campaign against using a phone while driving. Here in the states, the driving public is largely ignorant of laws pertaining to sharing the road with cyclists. For instance, there are more traffic circles where motorists are uncertain how to properly use much less how to properly use with bicycles as part of the mix. Another one is the idea that bicycles are a part of traffic not just impeding traffic. There is a law in Minnesota that bicyclists may use a full lane if there is not enough room on the shoulder or curbside of a lane. There are signs in places stating this but the rule is in place everywhere. and drivers get angry and tailgate me if I take this privilege on roads without a curb lane.
"Follow the law and don't be a dick" is frankly good advice in almost all situations.
Not for me as a cyclist, following the law often ends in injury. I will do what is safest for me as a cyclist and nothing else
@@SuperRat420 Nailed it. We often see comments about cyclists doing rolling stops and giving all cyclists a bad name, but that's pretty much rubbish when you sit by a stop sign and watch what drivers are doing there. I make rolling stops, or safety check blow-throughs because they're safer for me without harming or hindering anyone else.
Thanks for the point at 5:11 "Ride as far to the right as practicable and safe, but don't go overboard." gets taken by non-cyclists as "you're supposed to not take up the whole lane." This is not only wrong but is the exact idea we need to correct: the whole lane belongs to us, and I take primary position a lot, if only to discourage close passes, but also to avoid debris, the door-prize, or just to maintain the well-advised 'space cushion'. I pay the same taxes as every other road user, there is a speed limit, not a speed minimum, and I own my lane. A honk from behind on a 5 lane stroad makes me move more into the lane, partly because I know it will infuriate the petrosexual behind me, but mostly because it will save my life. I get abuse when I'm making a left turn from the (gasp) left lane. They are willing to injure us over their ignorance of traffic logic.
I don't like the advice ICBC puts out to 'keep right'. Same with 'Share the road' signs. Take your lane.
6:37 It is EASIER to pass 2 cyclists abreast than inline. One has to wait until there is space to move into the other lane anyway, so them being at the same position means the one overtaking needs less time in that other lane to get it done. Those 2 cyclists are performing a COURTESY to the drivers behind them, and it is seen as being selfish, and described as such here.
Being a utility cyclist has made me a better driver.
These are sage words.
I too ignore all road signs that deliver me to potential harm.
When I’m at a stop light and cars are beside me that need to pass. I cross the intersection and go behind the parked car on the side of the street and let the cars pass me, realizing that they need to pass and it is safer for me and everyone.
Also just like you said when at an intersection making a left hand turn I really do not want the cars to wave me thru. I would rather wait and go when there is an opening. In the situation I’m talking about I’m turning from a left turn lane into a bike lane and pull up so I’m not in the cars way that is trying to make a left turn behind me.
Another annoying thing is all the people that park vehicles (especially delivery trucks FedEx, UPS, Amazon …) in the bike lane. They make hard for the biker, because I need to go into the car lane to pass the parked vehicle in my bike lane.
The guy that really drives me crazy is the biker riding the wrong way in the bike lane. It is very up setting and it is people like this that give other bikers a bad reputation. I often say something to them hoping that in the future they won’t do this.
One more thing when I’m passing someone (walking on a bike path or riding slower than I’m going) I try to tell them ‘On Your Left’ and I always pass on the left. I sure wish more e-bikes did this when they pass me on my standard bike going up hill (very few do). This is just courtesy and is greatly appreciated. Because of this I never have earbuds in my ears when I ride a bike. I want to hear my surroundings, like cars or Ebikes coming behind me (yes most e-bikes make a high pitch sound).
Just like you said everyone needs to be reasonably smart and do not be a DICK.
This was a wonderful video, I really appreciate all of your videos, thanks.
I will wave cars on that stop when they have the right of way. I went one time and a car behind that car went around them and almost hit me. I’m in Nashville. Drivers are nuts down here. Great video.
Tips for cyclists:
Don't let the car make the choice of when to pass you. Ride in the center of your lane and only go to the right when you decide that now is a safe opportunity for the car to pass you.
It sounds like a dick move, but honestly it isn't. You are in the best position to judge whether there's enough space for someone to pass. And you're the one who might have to pay with your health, so make it your decision!
It's probably fair to say that a lot of drivers just don't know how to pass PERIOD, and cyclists bear the brunt of this incompetence due to being some of the most common and most squishy slow-moving (or even just speed limit-obeying) traffic.
One funny thing I've noticed that IS particular to bikes is hills. Motorists tend to not realize that bikes go faster downhill than uphill, so I occasionally have cars try and FAIL to pass me as I pick up speed after cresting a hill.
Such a great video agree with everything stated, thank you for the advices for the cyclist as well.
For the less experienced cyclist, you would be surprised how many drivers can be really tolerant to you if they know what to expect from you, when you are predictable and when you don't give them false sense of space to overtake while cycling as much as possible on the edge even when you need more space because of potholes or parked cars. Just be aware of your rightful space, leave buffer for unexpected pothole bypass, and act predictable and considerately to cars as well.
Sadly you still need to be foresighted because many drivers don't have great spacial awareness of their car even when they don't want to be dicks.
Regarding the driver who is reluctant or hesitant to pass a cyclist, this is often a result of a minimum passing distance rule (yes some drivers really want to follow the rules!) it can often be fixed by the cyclist slowing and/or deliberately moving towards the side along with a glance over the shoulder. This normally says to the driver "I'm ok for you to pass me" I find it works most of the time. Sometimes when the road is just too narrow it is better to just pull over into a space and stop to let drivers past, roads like this are normally not busy.
For the empathy perspective it would be good for everybody to have some experience driving different types of vehicles. I am fortunate enough to know wat it's like to drive a tractor with trailer, a van, a car and a bicycle. I'm sure this has made me a better driver and road user in general.
I was talking to a random cyclist. We noticed 2 cyclists chatting side-by-side. They acknowledge they knew cars were waiting to pass them but chose to continue with their conversation. When the driver, of the first car, passed them within the law, the 2 cyclists attempted to engage the driver into road rage by swearing. The driver ignored them. The cyclist I was talking to said "Those cyclists are making all cyclists look bad. Don't behave like that!"
Advice I give my kids is to ride deliberately and predictably. Come to think of, I gave my daughter the same advice as she is learning to drive!
I always give a car width space for cyclists I slow to a snails pace to avoid the wind vortex as I pass. Thankfully in the UK the highway code changed, so rather than cyclists cycling at the side of the road wishing for the best, a cyclist can take control of the lane in dangerous situations to stop cars and other vehicles overtaking. It's not the same as a dedicated cycle lane but it's legal protection and a motorist can get points on their licence for breaking the rules.
Riding at the edge of the road only gives drivers space to put their cars where they should not be in the first place. A safe, legal pass doesn't need a square millimeter of your lane, unless it's an emergency vehicle.
What I find most challenging is making a left or right turn in a car on a busy road with bike lanes. In Montreal the other day I was on a busy road with 2 lanes of relatively fast car traffic in each direction and a busy protected bike path to the right side of me, in addition to a sidewalk with pedestrian traffic. Making a right turn as a car in that sort of situation needs improvement because you need to keep an eye on so many things - is there opposing car traffic making a left turn to the same street I'm turning on to?; is there a car coming out of the street I'm turning onto that I need to be aware of?; are there cyclists or pedestrians going in either direction that will be crossing the street while I'm turning? - all the while feeling pressured by car traffic around and behind you wanting to go as fast as possible, so slowing down to examine the situation feels disincentivized. It is certainly much, much easier on a road where cars are traveling slower, but turns remain a tricky situation.
Disagree on the "keep as right as reasonably possible". I make sure to ride so that a passing driver MUST veer into the other lane, at least somewhat. This ensures that the driver must consider me and realize that there's a person here (sounds stupid, but so many drivers are on autopilot). Also this ensures that the driver won't pass me when there's a car coming from the other direction - he might think we all fit, but I'm ****ed
Definitely, I'll show it to my parents who commute by car and not by bike (but, lastly they improve themselve because I'm now always commuting by bike and say them to be cautious on the roadfor me and other bikecommuters, maybe I said it to much to them.. no never😂)
Taking the lane is the safest way to ride on the road. I have started exclusively taking the lane and yielding to cars by exception, to be clear, I ride an E-bike on predominantly 50kph(30mph)roads. I travel between 25-35kph most of the time, and the route I take has a lot of pedestrian crossings/narrow points/street parking that causes the road to widen and narrow very often. Basically, I trust myself to judge if there is space for a car to overtake far more than I trust the car. A lot of the time before I did this people would try and overtake me at 35kph going 40/45 and run out of space before the next parked car/narrow section.
Results so far has been significantly less conflicts with regular traffic, but slightly more frequent deliberate malevolence. Overall I much prefer this way of riding, but I understand in places where you are riding on multi lane roads or in conjunction with faster traffic, it might not be an option.
I see so many cars doing evil and dangerous passes around my bike, including intentionally crowding and knocking me over. Honking and tailgating also. Philadelphia drivers often are monsters.
Barcelona a great bike city now too with separate bike lanes
Also, motorists, where you are turning off a street across a bike lane, please don't overtake cyclists in that bike lane and then cut across them! In fact, even if you are not intending to cut across the cyclist, it also helps to slow down behind them and wait and turn when you get to the road, rather than come past them just before slowing down and stopping, forcing them to have to make the decision to either keep on going and risk you not having seen them or to stop suddenly and let you across their path.
What are your thoughts on mounting a 95 cm long pool noodle projecting off the left side of the bicycle? I found this quite effective when I lived in Ottawa.
In Australia bikes are required to do hook turns they aren’t allowed to make that type of left turn unless its from a bike lane or if signs indicate bikes are priority traffic
REally? The only time I've done a hook turn on my bike is where it is required in Melbourne. All other times I take the correct position on the road and turn just like a car does.
"Polite motorists" are the worst! Especially the ones who try to yield to my left turn when they have the right of way:
Car in front of me:
Me: My arm is sticking out like this because I'm signaling a left turn.
Car:
Me: You're asking me to trust you with my life while simultaneously demonstrating that you dont know the rules of the road.
... ...
Car: "Honest officer, I dont know why they cut in front of me. I feel just awful for accidentally running over them. But I did have the right of way, right?"
I'm a dick on a bike. I take my space. They get their privelege I get my space. I will weave through traffic on my bike. If they are allowed to clog up the city I'm allowed to take the fastest route, no matter how annoying I might be to car drivers
One thing even careful drivers often don't consider: Bikes are not stationary; they are moving, and sometimes (downhill) middling fast. As a result, drivers often pull back in too soon after overtaking (or even turn immediately after), or they pull out onto a main road right in front of a bike.
3:40 id say this is the average pass length i experience sadly
5:00 extremly good point. way too many cyclings are scared of the road and put themselves in wayyy more danger doing this
A lot of people don't know how to drive anymore. And I can't believe modern vehicles have been allowed these huge touchscreens to be installed on the dashboard. Its insane that this is not deemed unsafe. Also, there appears to be an inverse correlation between the size of a vehicle and it's driver's ability to drive😂