How to Deal With Cyclists

[@VH5150BAZ]

Good video. I’m a motorist, road cyclist and cycle instructor, teaching children how to cycle on quiet roads. It’s a major problem, one so deep rooted in the psyche of people that some will intentionally put children’s lives at risk, just because they are impatient and can’t be bothered to wait for a few seconds. And it happens weekly. I just wish I could capture it on camera and get these idiots off the road permanently. It’s a privilege to drive, not an entitlement.

[@daviddaw999]

I too deliver Bikeability and have the same experience week in, week out.

[@PointNemo9]

They are not intentionally putting people's lives at risk, they are just careless and unaware of the risk they are creating.

[@daviddaw999]

@@PointNemo9 that is really comforting if your child is being loaded into an ambulance.

[@PointNemo9]

@@daviddaw999 And what kind of parents knowingly put their children in such a dangerous and vulnerable position? Terrible ones. I would never put my children in such a position, and anyone who does so should not be responsible for the safety of a child.

[@stevennorth6484]

As a cyclist (& motorist) that was was an excellent informative video. Wish more motorists had your sensible approach to other road users.

[@Darwinjwright]

I had not heard of the plan to follow, look to overtake idea but this is a simple rule. As soon as the cyclist is spotted the routine will be to build in the safety first, consider the environment and take your time. If you are directly behind the cyclist then you effectively control the space protecting them. Great video Reg!

[@highdownmartin]

As a retired train driver, every red signal I approached I would expect to stop but plan to keep rolling. It’s exactly the same as you’re saying here, which is what I naturally do anyway. Never presume an overtake; always plan.

[@mikeroberts]

All good advice Reg. Sadly one of the things we have to advise motorcyclists about when doing their Advanced is that if you see a cyclist coming towards you, expect the vehicle following it to overtake. People's mentality is "I'm coming past" and there is absolutely no thought of what is coming the other way, or if they can see round a bend. It even happens if you are driving and a cyclist is approaching you. It happens to you in your video at 11:55 One thing the video also highlights is just how invisible bikes/cyclists are. Even on a large screen it is quite a while after you mention your son ahead that he is really visible (even allowing for camera angles/abilities). Persoanally, I always ride in the daytime with a high intensity pulsing rear light. This really helps, especially when you disappear into the shadows.

[@jefflerner7526]

Well spotted re 11:55 - dangerous and illegal overtake by the car.

[@andrewnorris5415]

Aye, bright day time lights also help a lot when riding into the sun, car drivers can get dazzled. The day light ones need if anything to be brighter! Good reflectives as well as lights help in the dark.

[@froggy0162]

Same. Especially here in Australia where the sun is fairly intense in summer, I use a bright pulsing rear light because the contrast in the shadows means a cyclist can effectively vanish in broad daylight as they pass into the shadow. That and the fact the driving culture here towards cyclists is even worse than the UK 😢

[@andrewnorris5415]

@@froggy0162 yeah i keep mine in pulsed mode too, to catch attention, it also makes it last longer - so can run on max brightness setting. which need to stand out in the day! I find when sun is low and riding into it - seems to be worse for dazzling. It gets in drivers' eyes - even when they use their blind as they should

[@AlanJames]

At the time he's keeping a safe distance behind the black car ahead, suggesting that cyclists shouldn't wear black, and oblivious to the oncoming white car in his lane! It's mostly a good video, but I'd have cut that whole bit. In the presented scene white would be better camouflage than black.

[@Bellissimovolere]

Same principle is applied with roundabouts… Plan to stop, look to go

[@douglasreid699]

i feel the biggest issue to cyclists is drivers that dont respect them because they have seen another cyclist do something wrong and assume every cyclist doesnt know what they are doing. many drivers forget its a shared space. bad drivers have probably not been on a bicycle so dont know how it feels to be close passed so cant judge the correct safe distance or plan the overtake to be safe, usually because they are impatient. its possible most cyclists are not trained drivers where as drivers have needed to sit a test and learn to be able to drive on the roads. thats something to remember when coming across cyclists. i feel i have been using the "plan to follow" myself but from my own choice rather than someone told me about it for the last few years but i use it in multiple situations and not just for cyclists. if i am on a national speed limit road and making progress and overtaking then i come across a HGV with 3 or more vehicles behind it, i ease off and plan to follow as i doubt i will get the oppertunities needed to pass all the vehicles because i know the road. i even use it in town or city as i find once you accept its going to be not worth the risk to make more progress or traffic is preventing it, its time to relax and chill and go with the flow until it clears and you can make progress again. this also helps when you encounter cyclists or any slow moving vehicle.

[@matthewchapman6395]

Most adult cyclists have driving licences and are well aware of what they are doing as well as how other road users should behave. This makes it worse in many ways because it highlights the deliberate "mistakes" made by other road users including other cyclists. Unfortunately things are not going to change any time soon.

[@dmac2573]

Great advice. It's only the bad drivers who take issues with cyclists as a whole.

[@buggs9950]

It's weak people who take issue with any group, regardless of what defines them.

[@mikepalmer8]

Excellent video and great advice. I always say to people - "Imagine that cyclist is a person on a horse or a slow moving tractor - you wouldn't just pull out and try to get past without slowing down, would you?"

[@markwright3161]

Having driven a tractor on the roads, people react very similarly to us as well. I've also witnessed a tractor be run off the road by a truck overtaking them on a blind corner when another truck arrived from the other direction. That was a terrifying view even from as far back as I was (I mainly saw a huge could of dust and a tractor diving into the verge as the 2 trucks narrowly missed each other and several cars' brake lights lit up). People also don't think of horses as the easily spookable tonne of then uncontrollable muscle that they are, well, until they smash the side of their car in from kicking out at them as they pass. I think it's now a matter of anything not travelling within 95% of the speed they want to travel at is something they don't want to be stuck behind, and if they perceive you as doing less than 50% of what they think they should be able to do then they don't consider following unless there's something blatantly obvious preventing it. The only advantage tractors have is they can more easily block a pass as they have the potential to wreck the car trying to get past, but again, that sometimes isn't even enough. There's a main road near us where seemingly every year there's a collision between a car and a tractor with a silage trailer. There has been 2 this year, well, the collisions serious enough to be reported around the area/sit around long enough to be witnessed by enough people to share the news around and required emergency services. I have no idea how many near misses, etc must happen as well.

[@philipmartin2088]

Thank you for a balanced video with good advice. I really like your opening comment: "We are all out here on the road together it's a shared space and it's everybody's combined responsibility to look after each other and that includes looking after yourself." I'm a pedestrian, a driver and a cyclist.

[@martincarey5206]

Please do a short version of this, it's really good advice and deserves more views

[@The-Splat]

We need a KZbin Shorts version 👍

[@SteveBrill]

What a breath you f fresh air this advice is! My local police force are very good at looking at video evidence and will act accordingly. I have had many stupid, dangerous close passes prosecuted and I only hope the drivers learn from their ways? Too many drivers (mainly white van man) see cyclists as a target. 🙈 Excellent video. 👏

[@andrewnorris5415]

Taxi drivers seem to get a bad rep but I find they seem to treat me pretty well when on the bike. They seem to drive with a flow that never makes me feel at risk.

[@NELSON3947]

Great vid. Nice to see something re. drivers and cyclist not simply spreading more hate, or us v them.

[@StevieOnHisBike]

It makes a refreshing change doesn't it?! 😀

[@stuartdownie1361]

I like the follow attitude. As a cyclist I would move over and stop when safe to allow motorists to pass.

[@williamwightman8409]

Thanks for the excellent instructions. As a cyclist I feel the worry that a cyclist feels when a car approaches too close so it is easy to slow early while driving. It is also the cyclists responsibility to be seen. This is very easy with strong daytime red lights that are slow strobe and continuous in back and white strobe in front. Night time lights should be low enough to prevent blooming. This works best on flat straight open roads. Cars start changing lanes for the pass way back. Does not work on winding roads. Cyclists should not ride alone during peak car use hours especially in regions that are hostile or indifferent to cyclists. Also, if you are a driver, put down the phone, you are killing and maiming pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers.

[@MaciejJankowskiPL]

Very useful tip. In the previous videos, you have already said two interesting sentences: - plan to follow and look to pass, - plan to stop, look to go. This unobtrusive approach of negotiating hazards works also in: - MTB on narrow forest path with occasional walkers and strollers, - congested ski piste, - windsurfing in crowded water. I taught to act in this manner my sons. Thank you.

[@gra326]

As a driver and cyclist, great video.

[@kenmerry2729]

Good one Reg. Need to get this in Road Craft and the Highway Code.

[@BelowTheLine-wy4le]

Good courtesy at 11:54 or 11:55 - giving the opposite-side bike that little bit of extra room… helping the car give them all the perfunctory 1.4m of space whilst wandering over the solid line. That car probably barely noticed you were there, but I feel sure the bike definitely saw you do that.

[@richardhasler6718]

Thanks Reg, as a driver and a cyclist, I would add that as well as the distance drivers allow when overtaking cyclists, it's also their relative speed that can be very scary. Even if you're 1.5m away, if you overtake at 50 mph, when a cyclist might be riding at 16 mph, it can be frightening! Personally, I avoid labels like 'cyclist' or 'driver' as this is not the problem, we are all people but some are thoughtful about others needs and a few are thoughtless.

[@symonlibera7011]

Looking far ahead is the first thing we all should do, even cyclists. When driving on dual carriageway, if you look far ahead, passing a cyclist will be a piece of cake. When i was in UK i rode many times on many dual carriageways, sometimes local in city ones, sometimes ringroads or main routes, many drivers are sooo good and pass very nicely and safely, but im still astonished when i get a close pass on a road with a full lane the right, or even two! I understand people may not be happy with with slower road users on such roads, but we have to remember that they are still shared spaces, let others use them for whatever reason they wish. Also, doing what i said will help spotting emergencies far away, spotting a cyclist from far away on a major road is very important for their safety, but spotting a broken down car in live lane will also save you from troubles of having to completely stop or crashing. I miss riding in UK, riding in germany is nice and extremely safe because of the (unfortuently) mandatory paths, but i do miss the plain roads of UK which are there for everyone. Be safe everyone, enjoy yourselves out there on the roads.

[@whimsical_ninja]

Just this week I dug out my copy of "Cyclecraft" which is based somewhat on Roadcraft. It's pretty dry (no surprise if you've read Roadcraft) but well worth a read. Judging speed differential is tricky. If you're at 60mph and see a cyclist in the distance, working out when you're going to be up with them can be challenging especially as some cyclists go at 30 mph and others at 6 mph. Also if you're in a 20mph, plenty of cyclists are going at 20 themselves (or as good as) and id much rather have a cyclist in front of me then wondering if they're still in the mirrors somewhere.

[@christopherl1864]

Really helpful video thank you Reg. Great mantra to have in mind - plan to follow, look to pass.

[@debidousagi]

I think you really nailed it on your principal concept/technique. I'm an avid road cyclist, regular bike commuter, and sports car enthusiast. When I'm driving the same roads I ride, I encounter plenty of cyclists and it's never a problem for me (despite all the complaints I hear from motorists saying how much of a problem bikes are). When I drive I've been accidentally practicing what you describe, the idea that you plan to slow and follow as the default. Cause that's the real killer, people flying up behind a cyclist banking on passing when they have no real idea if it's clear to do so or not. Sure it works out most of the time, but when it doesn't it really doesn't and usually it's the person on the bike will pay for it with their life. Like I instinctively know this well from riding and the worst situations are always when someone tries to force a pass when they shouldn't have been passing at that moment (blind corner, on coming traffic, etc). Especially infuriating when literally seconds after the dangerous pass they made they could have passed totally safely with good visibility etc if they just showed down and waited. This core principle needs to be taught/drilled into everyone who drives! Would make roads a way safer place for everyone!

[@PointNemo9]

On some types of roads it is quite difficult to overtake cyclists safely. I live in an area where most main routes are NSL country roads, and overtaking cyclists takes a while to wait for a safe and appropriate opportunity, so a queue of traffic behind a cyclist can build to 5-10 cars pretty quickly, so it does sometimes have a significant affect on journey times. I think people who complain about cyclists being a problem live in similar circumstances.

[@debidousagi]

@@PointNemo9 I can't speak to the UK specifically, but I live in a rural county in the US that is near a very major metropolitan region. So we have a mix of narrow country roads and large traffic volumes (especially recreational drivers on weekends). When driving here one encounters lots of challenges, slow moving farm vehicles, trucks towing trailers with horses or livestock, recreational RVs etc. Responding to other road users in a safe and patient manner should just be understood to be part of driving. Responding to cyclists is just a part of that. Delays happen when no bikes are present for a variety of reasons, and that is generally understood to be normal, yet the hate directed at cyclists specifically often feels out of proportion from their real impact. At least that has been my experience, both as someone who drives and bikes. I'm not saying it's not possible to have a valid complaint/specific situations with longer delays, but I've heard a lot of complaining over the last 15 years about the bike problem, and the situations I've actually seen (as driver and a person in a bike) don't really match the anger.

[@PointNemo9]

@@debidousagi The roads are so different here that you might not be able to comprehend the type of road I am referring to, but they are quite tight and curvy so there aren't many passing opportunities especially if the other side of the road is quite busy. Farm vehicles generally pull over frequently and let traffic pass (they are told to do this in the highway code), whereas cyclists very rarely do so, no matter how long the train of cars behind them gets.

[@debidousagi]

@@PointNemo9 I don't really know your specific situation, roads, etc, so it's possible you have a very different and more difficult circumstance than my region. Out of curiosity, how much time in added delay to driving times do you experience due to cyclists in a typical week?

[@MK-1973]

What a great video, one of your best. 'Plan to follow, look to pass' is genius and I wholeheartedly agree with all you say about how to treat cyclists on the road. Thanks for sharing!

[@trick700]

Good advice. Always amazes me how many motorists believe they can see around corners!

[@Horus-Lupercal]

Hey mate, thanks a tonne for posting this. You're making life safer for us cyclists by putting out solid and sensible information. I cycle because it's cheap and convenient here in urban Wellington, and it was great back in the Otago countryside as well (awesome views!). I can afford a car, I largely cycle because I find it really fun. No lycra for me though, you can wear regular street clothes, though I wear hardy country attire as a preference. Much love from New Zealand.

[@R04drunner1]

Awesome video and great approach. I am not a cyclist myself but I do try to watch out for them and show courtesy. The "Plan to follow; look to pass" approach is genius and I will adopt it forthwith. It really just formalises what I have been doing, but it's a definite improvement in formalising the approach. I remember I used to get caught out sometimes at roundabouts, but once I learned "Plan to stop, look to go" things got a lot smoother. I didn't have a problem with the notorious overtake in the video: I simply reckoned you had left enough space to cope even when a fast moving car suddenly appeared, coming the other way, at precisely the wrong moment!

[@edj4833]

Top class video! As a cyclist and driver I think your advice was really good.

[@wrightwoodwork]

Excellent advice. As a cyclist cyclist I do wonder if people drive with a mystic bowl when they overtake and I'm thinking I can't see far enough so how can you. I do if I see a hazard and can hear an overtake about to happen will give a warning signal not to overtake then once the hazard has past put my hand up to say thanks and let them decide. Even though it's the drivers responsibility. I personally would feel guilty not trying to prevent an accident by giving a warning . I once had an argument with telling someone not to pass as I couldn't see around the corner. I turned it around and said I don't suppose you would want to hit a car , no. I suppose you wouldn't want to hit me. No. Well maybe I'm doing it to actually protect and look after you. They admitted they hadn't thought of it like that. Once they realised I wasn't doing it to be selfish but for safety there attitude totally changed and parted on good terms.

[@thegrowl2210]

I prefer lights over hi vis, gives me more clothing options, and lights that flash in an irregular pattern allow me to be seen further away.

[@The-Splat]

Great advice! Could we have a KZbin Shorts version please? 🙏

[@michaelvout7813]

Thank you for a balanced and helpful video. Completely right. Good cycle and good driving behaviour is all that’s required. What causes the problems is bad cycle and bad driving behaviour.

[@helendale7668]

As a cyclist (and even as a driver), I have experienced several times, a car overtaking another cyclist coming towards me, and moving out so far thinking they're doing the right thing giving plenty of room to the cyclist and practically forcing me into the ditch on the other side. I usually wear bright colours when cycling, not a fan of black !

[@oneandonlyjaybee]

Further to this I would say don't allow a cyclist influence your plan by beckoning you past. Whilst it's often done in good faith to try and assist you, make sure you are completely happy with the pass, regardless of whether they beckon you to pass or not, even if this risks upsetting them as you haven't accepted their invitation

[@j606ywt]

Being a cyclist myself, I would say you're being too cautious with the amount of room you're giving him behind. The first time you overtook him you ended up having to cut back in quicker because the gap between the cyclist and yourself was too far during the overtake. I have no problem with a car travelling 15 or 20ft behind me, and if a cyclist does, they perhaps shouldn't be on a cycle on the road. Great advice overall though, people just need to be patient and sometimes cyclists need to be a little more considerate to motorists.

[@Cathartic_Cyclist]

Good video, thank you for raising driving standards. Us club riders are out here trying to educate new riders as well so we can all enjoy our journeys. Heads up on the clothing, studies show it’s the movement and colours on our feet that are most noticeable.

[@simon-mouse8739]

Great advice. As an aside having recently had my 2 kids learning to drive I have found as much distane for learner drivers as there is for cyclists. It's like the red L plate is a red rag. Both kids drive really well, in fact one passed their test last week and neither hold traffic up but you'd be surprised how many drivers just overtake learners, even when they are following looking for the pass on a cyclist.

[@EM-wd2vg]

Truly outstanding and very refreshing piece, as a cyclist for over 35 years I can relate to every kind of motorist you describe in this video. I’ve also seen my fair share of idiot cyclists too. An excellent example by James of how to take the lane was executed beautifully when approaching the bend and many motorists don’t understand this. Thanks for sharing this wonderful video.

[@davidmcconnon2800]

Strong recreational cyclists are lucky to maintain over 20mph on the the flat. An elite amateur time trialist can average about 40kph or 25mph. Great video though. It's how I try to drive too. 👍👏

[@normancoutts]

Excellent. Six words and you have nailed it.

[@Roq-stone]

For me, while I’m cycling, if a driver needs to pass “closely”, it is more comfortable scrolling pass more than bolting pass by millimeters.

[@JonnyUnforeseen]

I think the first overtake of James could've been better to be honest. All the other examples were great though. Brilliant video.

[@Dayboot33]

Yeah, if I were the driver coming the other way I'd probably have raised an eyebrow at that one. Good balanced advice though.

[@nickw1809]

Every cyclist who sends their videos into the police, of which I know a few, the police should send them this video. Superb advice as always

[@StevieOnHisBike]

That's a great idea. I'm sure that most of the close (

[@graemetunbridge1738]

Another way to say this - limit your speed differential. The bike can be doing anything from 5 to 50 Km/h. A nice approach is at about a 15 Km differential - easy to accelerate and overtake, or easy to wipe off the 15K differential and follow at a safe ( considerable) distance. High performance motorcycle drivers know that they have to slow down to pass the cars. In the back streets, why bother to overtake - so many cars do a tyre shredding, dangerous overtake, only to turn off immediately, 1 second ahead of where they would have been if they had just rolled along, comfortably, behind the bike.

[@beverleygibson1394]

This is very good. I wish there were more videos like this to teach motorists. I am a cyclist, I cycle everywhere and it is my main mode of transport. On really narrow country lanes I am always alert. I will take the position further out in the road for the reasons you mention but if there is a safe place for me to pull in and let the motorist pass safely I will do. Very often I will get a hand up /thank you for doing this. Please could you make a video of the ruling in the Highway Code about a cyclist turning into a side road on the left. I understand that if a pedestrian has started to cross or not looked near the junction, they have right of way. I would appreciate more clarity on this new Highway Code rule please.

[@kassiomarxrochanogueira8710]

Very informative video as always. I don't live in the UK, but I aways learn something useful out of your videos. Thank you so much!!

[@davidsimpson2709]

Another excellent instructive video Reg., keep up the good work. I am assuming that the same principle and mentality would work for passing horses and riders ( but only at 10 mph as not to spook them) Kind regards Dave

[@Paul9]

As a cyclist and a Driver, at lower speeds e.g when going up hill I honestly don’t mind a car being at reasonably close but safe distance behind when waiting to pass, often some give so much room they miss clear opportunities to safely pass. They then feel pressured by another car behind and do something daft.

[@kevinhodgson2085]

Excellent video. Follow until safe to overtake, pass wide, then squeeze your accelerator and you're back to where you would have been in no time at all. For information, very few cyclists would deliberately put themselves in a dangerous situation to create a video, because they are going to lose to every other vehicle on the road. They're either an absolute nut job, or they're totally unaware that what they are doing is dangerous.

[@Jones-xx2gc]

What you say makes total sense, Consideration from both sides is the ideal thing. On narrow single track roads though, should you be really expected to stay behind them for the duration without them having to pull in at some point and let the larger vehicles pass. I cycle and I do this but have watched loads that don't and are totally oblivious to the tail backs they are causing.

[@theloveboxquartet]

It's not an equally shared space as there is a hierarchy of responsibility, with motorists, in powerful armoured vehicles, the most responsible. And they stink.

[@sted88]

Excellent and informative video. Thanks for sharing! In my experience most drivers are respectful of cyclists, but it only takes one bad driver to put someone’s life at risk. If everyone had your mentality that the road is a shared space and that all road users should look out for one another, the world would be better for it. ❤

[@repo4]

Great educational video, I'm so glad it turned out to be complete opposite to what I expected, looking at the thumbnail 😊 I have a little suggestion also. From drivers' point of view, in their mind and thinking, why not immediately replace the cyclist with a little old tractor that would always be doing roughly the same speed as the bike. Straight away they have to approach differently, be prepared to slow down more and give more room while overtaking. On most rural roads there just isn't enough room for small tractor, the driver and oncoming traffic. I can't imagine any sane driver getting aggravated because a local farmer is going about his business and trying to run him off the road. Although, I'm sure that also happens..

[@john-morton]

I'm shocked the way some people pass cyclists and do all I can to protect when in car and truck. My gripe is the on road cycling events which are next to impossible with a heavy class 1

[@ollier2584]

Great video but would love to see a shorter snappier one for short attention spans, less than 5 minutes! I'm interested in the subject but skipped through a few bits, car drivers particularly would benefit from a much shorter one or even a youtube short!

[@alasdairpaton2284]

Good and clear advice! Thank you

[@markkieran1004]

The problem is the way that road users 'deal with' other road users.

[@a.r.t.4611]

Also indicate the intoention to pass, incase drivers behind haven't noticed the cyclist list.

[@paulsheppy5146]

Good advice, Reg; however, you have only dealt with a solo cyclist. Let's a have a video with your local cycle club out for their weekend spin.

[@lalwans]

Excellent video. What a great education

[@chickentikka7890]

Good video but I found the audio quality not as good as other videos

[@inesucrvenom]

I agree, too much road noise, too low his voice :/

[@Dani-El.]

9:10 not the best example tbh. You thought you had a clear view, but a car came around the corner just after you said it's OK to pass him, and then you had to floor it. Overtaking on a corner is dodgy AF. Especially a zig-zag corner. But I completely agree with the general message throughout the video. Thanks.

[@PointNemo9]

This doesn't only apply to cyclists, but slow car drivers as well, but shouldn't everyone follow rule 169 of the highway code? "Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass." Tractors seem to mostly follow this and allow cars to pass, but some car drivers will sit well below the speed limit and allow a queue of 5+ cars to build up behind them. It also applies to cyclists when a queue of traffic forms behind them because it just isn't possible to overtake safely.

[@makemineapint]

Really good video, especially why cyclist assume Primary in restricted places. I would take issue with the Hi-viz clothing comment, plenty of Black/dark cars on the road and nobody is hinting they should have a hi-viz respray because they're reminiscent you of special forces 🙂They're hardly attenpting to "blend in with the landscape", they're poking up on a tarmac road! Anybody driving in a manner that means they have an issue with a cyclist in dark clothing shouldn't be driving because 1. they need an eyesight test, 2. they're just not a decent driver or indeed human being.

[@The-Splat]

Reg’s observation skills have been trained and assessed to a very advanced level. So if he finds bright clothing helpful, it’s worth taking heed. He didn’t say to cover yourself in hi-viz but suggested a splash of bright colour helps significantly. Cars are different. They’re much bigger! And their shape isn’t broken up like a cyclist’s silhouette.

[@lg1825]

Great video and advice. I have a question, i recently changed to an EV which is very quiet and compared to my previous car (Merc A35) i dont think cyclists notice the presence as much. Ive considered a horn warning just before an overtake or on approach, but feel it could be taken as being aggressive. A normal car would have the engine noise. Have you any recommendations in this situation?

[@dibqip]

When I drive, I do exactly as you say. When I cycle, I keep HWC 169 in mind rather than strava times. Unfortunately I am definitely in a minority these days.

[@Roq-stone]

I’ve been riding in the UK for 5 years now and I give the driving population 87% for consideration towards cyclists. I live in the Bedfordshire county area btw.

[@smitajky]

If people start with knowing and obeying the laws it goes a long way. It isn't the whole solution but it is a big part of it. The mentality "I HAVE to pass no matter what. I shouldn't HAVE to slow down. Ever" is part of the problem. But where I am a GOOD truck plans well ahead. So they adjust their speed in advance to arrive at the same time that an oncoming gap appears. This makes only a tiny variation in speed adequate. Occasionally this doesn't work. Most people are good. The exception is commuters. They have a different mind set from more general traffic. They have allowed a very specific amount of time for their trip with NO buffer for anything going wrong.

[@haughie61]

Onya mate, like you're style.

[@TheShortyBiker]

Well said, good examples.

Make a Video of cvt automatic

Make a video about cat automatic

[@Oldladysgin]

I live in NE Spain and rarely have any problem at all with cyclists, they are always given plenty of room, dual carriageways a complete lane (obligatory). I find the behaviour of cyclists professional. There are, of course, exceptions but they are rare. If you hold a driving licence it can be sanctioned for any bad behavior on the roads, even if cycling.

[@adams6611]

Your first over take was no safer than those who you criticized for over taking him just prior.

[@twotriumphs7398]

excellent advice

[@SteveMcIlhennie]

Like to mention to 99% of drivers who don't seem to know that a cyclist can go straight when approaching a Left Turn Only sign.

[@Dad-Gad]

I'm a cyclist and a driver , if I'm driving and there's a group of cyclists making sure nobody can overtake them by blocking the road on purpose it's detestable . I wouldn't do that​ on my bike , only assholes do it .

[@kevinhodgson2085]

"need to instantly get in front" mentality is very dangerous. You have an engine. In no time at all you'll be exactly where you would have been before.

[@robertarcher8576]

Ideally we should all ride bicycles, motorcycles, drive cars, vans, lorries, ride horses and walk so we appreciate the legitimate rights, needs and concerns of other road users.

[@buggs9950]

12:00 There are now matt black police speed camera vans around my way. Yes they do have the blue and yellow chequers but they're in a narrow band at road wheel level and so are obscured by the railings of overpasses, bridges etc. I'm sure this design flaw is purely an oversight on the part of the protectors-of-our-freedom and will be rectified asap.. In all seriousness though, the panic braking from ignorant people who think the plg limit on a dual is 60 has increased massively since these vans replaced the white ones. Three times this week I've been cruising at 56 or 60, depending on the wagon I'm in, only to have a car cut in front whilst over-braking down to 45 or so. I resent intrusive driver aids but I'm certain that automatic braking prevented one of those incidents becoming a collision. These situations are more dangerous than speeding and the coppers know it. It's almost as if 'safety' isn't top of their agenda..

[@DaveHines1]

“Is the overtake worth their life or mine ? No Never !”

[@jimmyjam8795]

As an ex cyclist, still have summer and winter bikes but have given cycling because of muppet drivers. Now I just have to deal with idiots that tail gate my motorcycle and drive like fools because they are clueless about us too.

[@andreabeddard-smith2444]

As a cyclist of many many years the one thing that I cannot understand is why the super majority don’t have a mirror. You’d have thought that they would also be concerned for their own safety enough to want to see approaching traffic to help place themselves safely on the road ,especially in areas where the pavement quality is poor and they might want to negotiate the sea of potholes we have without suddenly veering into the middle of the road in front of a fast approaching car. My mirrors cost £18 and I never ride without.

[@The-Splat]

Radar systems (e.g., Garmin Varia and Trek CarBack) are more popular than bicycle mirrors among those who can afford it.

[@mikeroberts]

I had to add mirrors to my e-bike (search for Sparky on my channel) as after years of riding a motorcycle I felt naked without them.

[@andreabeddard-smith2444]

@@The-Splat wow, never heard of such things, doubt any cyclists where I live use them or if they have them they don’t turn them on!

[@samosullivan7176]

If mirrors work for you then great, but using your ears and physically looking behind you are also great options (the latter also helps to communicate your intention to other road users).

[@kge420]

Mirror and a Varia for me all the time on every ride.

[@peterthompson9854]

A bit of common sense needs applying. As with the overtake in the narrow road (15:08), there may not be 1.5m to give them. HWC says they should look to pull over, but this is rare. Like Reg says, make a judgement, do it slower, give as much room as you can. The other place the law becomes a bit silly is solid white lines and a cyclist doing 12mph (say) on a 60 road. A pass could easily be very safe, very practical but illegal.

[@rich880cycling7]

When you say "Deal" it sounds like cyclists are somehow something to be punished or penalised in someway. It would be more appropriate to say "accommodate" or "allow for". Is this another example of unconscious bias?

[@The-Splat]

Playing devil’s advocate, “deal with cyclists” is ideal phrasing because it speaks to drivers who otherwise mightn’t engage with this.

[@debidousagi]

I had a similar reaction to that phrasing too, but I think The Splat is right, it will help get the clicks/views from the intended audience which is important for spreading this good sense approach!

[@davida9074]

That's exactly what I thought.

[@PointNemo9]

I didn't interpret it that way at all. He's obviously the type of driver to give plenty of space to other road users.

[@OpvectorUK]

I think your comment is something from the woke brigade... Not to mention, cyclists are a hazard, just like pedestrians, and have to be dealt with in different ways.

[@matthewchapman6395]

Cyclists who submit videos suffer very close passes most of the time but don't submit videos. The videos submitted are normally the ridiculously close and dangerous. It is nieve to believe that all motorists care about other road users a higher percentage than you may think are looking to intimidate and provoke confrontation after all they feel brave in their metal box.

[@robinwells8879]

I have been overtaken in my car by a bike going downhill in a twenty limit. Should I care about them if they don’t?

[@PeatCowman]

Are we to cast entire groups on the behaviour of individuals? If so, motorists aren't looking too clever buddy.

[@robinwells8879]

@@PeatCowman No But they are a significant minority and they are damaging the reputation of the majority buddy 😂

[@samosullivan7176]

Robinwells what a ridiculous comment 😂

[@The-Splat]

Surprisingly, the cyclist was within the law. Speed limits don’t apply to cyclists in the UK.

[@robinwells8879]

@@samosullivan7176 pray enlighten me with your thoughts then. 😂

[@Cous1nJack]

‘Deal with cyclists’. I think you mean ‘pass safely and treat with respect’. Your language is incendiary and detracts from a good video and message.

[@jefflerner7526]

Very surprised you saw it that way.

[@36hunters]

Out of the entire 20 minute video, THAT was your take from this?

[@JonnyUnforeseen]

I think the title was done like that on purpose to get the anti-cyclist drivers to watch. That is a good thing, maybe they will learn how to be better road users thanks to this video.

[@nuttyslack]

How to ‘take care of cyclists’, like a Bond villain.😅

[@The-Splat]

@@nuttyslack😂

[@TerryLerris]

Tell them F off and ride in single file

[@Pes60]

It’s the cyclists in groups that cause a problem,all over the road.

[@yorkshirefazer]

i have no problem with cyclists on the road, but if there is a cycle lane there for them to use (and built at great expense for them!) they should use it for their own safety and that of other road users. cyclists that don't use cycle lanes (in my opinion) are as bad as drunk / drug drivers.

[@chrisholman64]

I used to have that view until I started cycling to work; that’s when I discovered that cycle lanes are often poorly maintained, poorly signed, arbitrarily closed without warning, force me to give way at every junction, blocked by parked vehicles, or simply don’t go where I need to go. I will avoid busy roads as far as possible - especially with all the potholes and the atrocious driving I see too often - but don’t kid yourself that we have a network of usable cycle lanes.

[@highdownmartin]

@@chrisholman64well said.

[@symonlibera7011]

I understand but disagree, two main takes for that are most cycle paths/lanes are generaly speaking bad and being consequential; drivers dont have to use motorway as a mandatory car path just as cyclists dont have to use bike paths. I like it this way, people have freedom of choice, people can enjoy themselves with whatever vehicle they have on whatever road they want, with exception of drivers blocking bike paths/lanes and cyclists mounting an actual motorway (which i believe should have much higher speed limit because 70 is a joke).

[@figbatter]

The Highway Code has advice on this (see below) - it is encouraged "where safe and easier" but it is not mandated and the cyclist is given the choice. Cycle paths are often poorly maintained, or parked in, or used by pedestrians, or stop at every junction. If I'm on a road bike with narrow tyres and making decent progress I'll generally use the road. If the cycle path is a decent one and goes where I'm heading, I'll use it. I exercise my judgement. Rule 61 Cycle Routes and Other Facilities. Cycle lanes are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway (see Rule 140). Use facilities such as cycle lanes and tracks, advanced stop lines and toucan crossings (see Rules 62 and 73) where they make your journey safer and easier. This will depend on your experience and skills and the situation at the time. While such facilities are provided for reasons of safety, cyclists may exercise their judgement and are not obliged to use them.

[@makemineapint]

@@jav.611 especially when they're only a couple of feet wide !!

[@slowspoke6257]

Cyclists are evil.