Straddle or use Lane 2 to Overtake a Cyclist?

Most of the time it is safer to use Lane 2 to overtake a cyclist, however, sometimes that's not the best option.
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#drivinglesson #drivingtest #education

[@jillp1840]

If I see a car or a van / lorry move over on a dual carriageway, strangely enough my first reaction isn't to think, "Oh goodie, now I can undertake him" it's "Why have they moved over? What's going on?". A controversial idea, I know. 😂

[@harrislondon]

In all honesty my first thought is usually what's this bellend doing when nothing is in front. Usually right but you can't always see an obstruction ahead of them that they're blocking. In london it's usually a moron. Less so on a local road as opposed to a 50mph dual carriageway

[@kiradotee]

Especially if it's a lorry!

[@robg521]

Totally understandable on a ‘fast moving’ dual carriageway, What people watching this need to understand is human nature and psychology. There are not that many people who will think “what danger is that car pulling out into the outside lane to avoid”, most people will think ‘why is that idiot pulling out for no reason and slowing me down’ So undertaking is wrong but it’s what a lot of people will do.

[@derekheeps1244]

My first reaction would be to ask myself why they moved out : are they planning to turn right up ahead ? is there some hazard I couldn't see before they pulled out ? I would not even contemplate passing on the left unless it became clear they were turning right .

[@mikewade777]

Kinda like" why have they stopped at the pedestrian crossing!, I don't see a pedestrian".. the one that's crossing infont of the stopped vehicle.

[@tjfSIM]

Ashamed to say in 20 odd years of driving, this hadn't occurred to me. Learned a new safety tip today, thanks Ash.

[@ashley_neal]

Glad to help

[@TheJackKWhitehouse]

20 odd years of cycling, I also learned a safety tip today!! 2for1 Ash ☺

[@Lemstrauss]

@@ashley_neal This video was great advice and really shows you are an excellent teacher, Ashley! Thank you.

[@ynotnilknarf39]

And as I've just written above, I completely disagree with the thinking and explained in detail why.

[@williamfence566]

I drive a HGV and straddling a lane was taught to me as 1. Allow enough " wobble room " 2. Act as a blocker to protect the cyclist . Still holds true today

[@cloudmaker]

William could not agree more. I only go fully into second lane if I have no following vehicles.

[@CobraElDiablo]

I cycle a lot (have eliplepsy, it's my only form of transport) and yeah I agree with this wholeheartedly, I rarely have issues with truck drivers or buses, it's usually the twunts on their way home at rush hour, scares the crap out of them when I catch up and they realise I'm 6'8" and rather pissed. On really narrow roads I often let things pass, it's safer for me tbh.

[@seansean9675]

@@CobraElDiablo letting things pass gives the cyclists control of their own safety. follow the highway code, let them pass.

[@cloudmaker]

@@CobraElDiablo It's all about mutual respect. Also I find a lot of drivers have no understanding of what it is like to cycle on a busy road.

[@MrSupercar55]

You’re not alone with that thought. As much as cyclists would like you to give them some space when you overtake them, the recommended gap between your vehicle and the cyclist(s) only needs to be 2 metres tops. Depending on whether they’re the decent sort who go over to the left so the traffic can pass easily or the arrogant sort who plant themselves in the middle of the road for no blessed reason, you might even be able to give them that desirable 2 metre gap simply by straddling the lanes. I say this as a motorist who enjoys the occasional bike ride. Always helps seeing both sides of the coin.

[@PPT75019]

The driver in the intro clip is a complete lunatic, I'm glad there were others clips to show a more "common" situation. Road positionning is one of the most important clue you can give other people to show your intentions. Sometimes you can really shield a cyclist from dangerous situations.

[@PedroConejo1939]

Couldn't agree more. The villain of the piece was the Yaris (?) driver, who in any interpretation of the clip illegally overtook on the inside, and as the cyclist was there, did so dangerously. Absolute tool.

[@marklittler784]

Yeah just because the cars going fast doesn't mean the drivers brain is.

[@PauldeVrieze]

I have to say that in the UK I find cyclists also forget this. In my driving lessons (in NL) positioning (especially in relation to cyclists) was a key part of driving lessons. Children get taught cycle positioning at about age 11. A very key one is actually to drive over the cycling lane if you are turning left (so the cyclist will not undertake you in your blind spot) - if you signal the cyclist should not be angry, just pass you on the right.

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@PauldeVrieze I see that but also, as a car driver, you shouldn't be passing a cyclist and then turning left in such a way that they will need to pass you before you complete the turn - drop in (across the lane if necessary) behind the cyclist and make your turn after they've passed the junction. This will prevent the cyclist having to make an unnecessary manoeuvre but also stops your vehicle from hiding the cyclist from any traffic waiting to turn into or out of the junction. The problem, as you point out, is that there is very little education in the UK on how to treat cyclists. While it's true that most adult cyclists are also drivers, it is not true that most drivers are cyclists or motorcyclists, so there is a huge disparity of understanding.

[@PauldeVrieze]

@@PedroConejo1939 This is not when you are just passing to turn left. This is more where you are already ahead of cyclists, and they may pass you. Most often this is because you have to wait for some reason (maybe a pedestrian crossing with priority). This technique is much more important for HGVs (which only an idiot passes on the inside corner)

[@sassyboofle6983]

Different scenarios require different actions and this is often due to experience . Couldn’t agree more . 👍

[@misterflibble9799]

As both cyclist and driver, my preference would be "fully lane 2" in most circumstances; I get very fed up with the car drivers at the local business park where I work who make a very half-hearted attempt to enter (a completely empty) lane two, and barely cross the lane markings with their right-hand wheels. However, I see your point. My suggestions would be: 1. It depends on various factors like lane width, vehicle size, and speed. If you're able to straddle the lanes such that the lane markings are just inside your passenger tyre, then I doubt you'd find any cyclist that would complain about that. 2. One other suggestion is that, as soon as you're half/two-thirds of the way into lane 2 (before you've reached the cyclist and are still moving right into lane 2), put your left indicator back on. That tells following traffic that you're going back again, and discourages them from undertaking.

[@gixxerman69]

Anyone who undertakes between a vehicle and a cyclist are incompetent and should not be on the road without further training. It is a sad indictment of the standard of driving today that you have to think for others to stop them from doing stupid things. I soon learned this when I started riding motorcycles at 16.

[@patthewoodboy]

agree.

[@ChrisCoxCycling]

Yes but as Ashley explains and shows in just about every video, a huge number of drivers are not observant, don't plan, and don't look ahead. That first driver wouldn't have even noticed the cyclist until they're about to pass.

[@gixxerman69]

@@ChrisCoxCycling They shouldm't be driving then if their observation is that poor.

[@ChrisCoxCycling]

@@gixxerman69 I agree. But authorities just don't take licences away. They don't retest for competence. Driving standards are shite because as soon as you get your license you're left to your own devices and absorb the bad behaviours of everybody else

[@tj4234]

Nevermind further training. That's beyond help. Ban them for life.

[@Matthew-bu7fg]

Love the relationship you have with Ellie as instructor-pupil; your encouragement and feedback was so confidence-boosting that she even decided to select her own driving route at the end of that clip!

[@Bishop0151]

Nice advice, when cycling I'm happy if drivers give me a doors width, it doesn't have to be the entire lane. If a driver takes that straddle position that give me that room, and saves me from an incident like that first clip, I'm happy.

[@lidge1994]

I'm both a driver and cyclist (haven't ridden in 2 years though) and I almost always give about half a lane, but if I see an empty lane behind me and next to me, I move to lane 2, it takes me like 2 seconds to pass you and go back to lane 1, so why not?

[@velianlodestone1249]

Only when I'm cycling and the car passes close enough to throw me off balance with their air suction, am I really annoyed.

[@Bishop0151]

@@velianlodestone1249 Yeah. That's never good, I'm convinced that most have no idea how close they've come to causing an accident.

[@lmaoroflcopter]

@@velianlodestone1249 which is why its absolutely ridiculous why Ashley seems to be supporting the HGV trying to straddle on that two lane road. The suction by a high sided vehicle is immense. As a cyclist I can deal with an idiot like that yaris every once in a while, that doesn't mean I want driving instructors to be encouraging idiotic behaviour. It should be the exception that we have to put up with, not the rule they are promoting.

[@1ninjatiger]

This is why you will sometimes see a cyclist further out in the lane...it’s most certainly not to annoy or upset drivers its to discourage these passes and make overtaking (or undertaking) vehicles wait for a safer gap and not squeeze through..it also makes them slow down to wait for such a gap.

[@JackFeelsNerves]

Excellent video, Ashley. That first clip is almost an exact copy of what happened to me when cycling on a dual carriageway: the driver of a big lorry gave me all the space by overtaking me in lane 2, and someone in a car passed the lorry on the wrong side at 60-70mph. The car driver was so close to me that I was pushed to the left by the force of the air! SO scary, and I changed the way I overtake cyclists because of it. Your video makes it super clear what a driver should do in these situations, and I hope it changes the way people drive.

[@keith6400]

The straddle position reserves the left lane for you to return to and also deters overtakering thus slowing things down behind slightly. Lane 2 usage opens the door for nutters and makes it more hazardous to return to lane 1 in case an undertaker is setting up.

[@CraigNiel]

I've always done this (In town driving) without realising why I do it, if that makes sense. Good explanation as always, Ashley.

[@mdlouie]

I wonder if that car even saw the cyclist before he'd committed to that move. Scaredest I ever been on a bike was on a quiet road: looked at a driver who was passing too close and saw a book propped up on his steering wheel.

[@robbo2k10]

Was it the Highway Code?

[@Markb23236]

Love these videos. I've just qualified as an ADI and this sort of stuff is so insightful and will be passed on to my students 👍

[@pwners4u]

That van driver got so annoyed when you told her to speed up and she did so he couldn’t undertake in time it was pretty funny

[@jamesleewhite141]

I'm James from West Wales and I've been driving since I was 17...Just about 30 years....I stumbled upon your channel and I have subscribed. Nowadays i plod around in my 330d and I love your videos, You are a very talented instructor and seem like a tidy guy too. Keep up the good work.......Regards from Wales

[@MiseEnZheng]

I really appreciate your taking the time to do some additional analysis around shared road use and being mindful of cyclists.

[@Paul_C]

Right, in the Netherlands the 60 km/h roads have changed considerably since the mid nineties. Basically the road way has changed into a middle part of one narrow lane and a cycling part on both sides. It is always marked with a dotted line, and possibly a red surface to mark the cycling bit. When an opposing car comes along, standard practice is to slow down behind the cyclist, then when the car passes you can use the red and the full lane to pass the cyclist. That said, it works in most of the situations. The trouble comes when cars speed, then it can become a death trap. Luckily most drivers are also cyclists and they tend to take more care. There is more to road design than people think...

[@PedroConejo1939]

For some reason, the Dutch are capable of grasping what a lot of Britons cannot.

[@Historyfan476AD]

@@PedroConejo1939 Different road cultures over the decades, and well the UK never had a chance to rebuild it's road system from near scratch while a war devastated Netherlands had to.

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@Historyfan476AD That's probably a factor. I think also a pervasive sort of class system exists on UK roads, it's far more competitive and far less co-operative than some other countries. Not the only country, the US is like that too - and then we have the developing world, where life is often cheap.

[@Historyfan476AD]

@@PedroConejo1939 The Uk's problem I think is maybe the mindset of the driving teaching by many instructors and family and friends. People may not like to hear this but at some point you got to wonder what are they being taught if they all act like that. Either that or maybe to many rules for people to follow. The highway code i think needs to redone and simplified.

[@andyalder7910]

"We weren't going this way but we are now" made me laugh; I did the same on my test, wasn't marked down for it. Still making the same mistake 40 years later.

[@FFVoyager]

On my car test (also back in 1981!) I went right and then left and then the examiner asked me to pull over to the side of the road and asked 'What are we doing here?' I said something along the lines of 'You asked me to stop'. His reply was 'I also asked you to turn left and then right'! He said that wouldn't count against me and to carry on, but you can imagine that it didn't settle my nerves at all! We carried on and later in the test at a T-junction a cyclist - going from my right to left on the pavement and crossing the junction - shouted 'Learn to drive properly!' I presumed all was now lost and was very pleased when getting back to the test centre for the examiner to tell me I'd passed. I asked about the cyclist and he said 'He's a bit of a nutter, I've come across him before on tests'

[@marklittler784]

@@FFVoyager 😂😅😃😂😁😅😃😂😁😅😃😂

[@Richard_Barnes]

Same here on my test (1987 😂) Took the wrong roundabout exit, however did everything correctly for the way I went so no negative marks against me for it.

[@TheRip72]

We've all taken wrong turns now & again. If you deal with the situation safely, then that is ok. We have all missed turnings on occasion or been in the wrong lane due to poor signage then not been able to correct this, or maybe miss a turn to deal with somebody else's mistake.

[@marklittler784]

@@TheRip72 Yeah road signs obscured by buses, vans or lorries, road names in unusual places at unusual heights or totally missing.

[@damedusa5107]

You are good teacher, you let them try to figure it out themselves first, but don’t leave them hanging to long till you explain it. Very good teaching.

[@davidhayes4777]

Now that’s why I watch your videos Ashley...... ‘ cause ya learn stuff! 👍

[@ashley_neal]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@autisticlife]

Thank you as both a driver and a cyclist this is very helpful.

[@Sol_VI]

Very wise advice, that I will take into consideration as I continue learning to drive. Thanks Ashley!

[@garyknight8616]

Another great reminder. I must confess that I'd not thought about these scenarios enough. Thank you 😊

[@driving_all_over]

I remember doing this a few years back when there was a cycling time trial along the A40 between Monmouth and Abergavenny. The first couple I did go in lane 2 but realised quickly that it was safer to straddle. Great video :)

[@andrewwilson8717]

Fantastic video and a great follow up to something you covered in the "things that done effect you video" where a driver did a great job of overtaking a cyclist. I've often used the straddle as a way of drawing attention to a hazzad for any cars behind you to watch out for something!

[@JohnSeto]

Great observation by Ellie in the 2nd part of the video, and thanks for this, an insight I never thought about straddling lanes on a busy road, I pull right out give a cyclist loads of space (as I'm a massive cyclist myself)

[@baerlauchstal]

Very good point, Ashley. This will definitely influence how I handle this situation, as a driver and as a cyclist.

[@cjgeist]

I am amazed that after years of driving and cycling, this had never occurred to me. Thank you for sharing this.

[@ashley_neal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zzhughesd]

Bloo&dy hell. Quality Sunday video. I’ve learnt something as a general good driver and as a PDi too

[@Pinie-ue9mz]

Makes sense, good explanation as always Ashley

[@cloudmaker]

Excellent video this Ashley, as a lorry driver I always try to give the cyclists plenty of room but you really have to be aware of the attitude of following vehicles. So when this clip started on an open road such as that I would only go into lane two if I had no following vehicles. When it comes to driving in traffic some drivers still try to squeeze by even when straddling the white line, you can not take anything for granted so you really have to keep a check on the nearside mirror in all these scenarios.

[@CycolacFan]

These videos are getting better and better 👍

[@ibs5080]

Excellent point Ash and one I shall put into practice. I can think of various other driving situations whereby if you leave a sensible amount of room / sensible gap, you can be sure another road user will take it as a golden opportunity to fill it. The most basic and simple example is keeping your distance from the vehicle in front. But there are other examples too, such as complying with a "Keep Clear" for a side road or on a roundabout. Traffic is a bit like water flowing through a pipe - the water wants to fill the whole pipe as quickly as possible and will look for the path of least resistance. And "traffic" can consist of just one car, as in the insane example in the first clip.

[@flemit35]

As long as you're far enough away straddling a lane is fine, it lets drivers behind you know you're going to move back left once the overtake is done, stops idiots jumping into the left lane before you move back or people attempting to undertake.

[@flemit35]

I said the above before watching the video, to find I was right.

[@Kallick]

@@flemit35 I looked for this comment before watching :)

[@horsetowater]

Thanks for doing these Ashley

[@gwright5471]

A very good point made in this video I will certainly apply this in my driving.

[@Thomas-sz8mk]

I always thought lane 2 was best never gave a thought about the straddling position but it's a brilliant tip that I'll take on board when I'm driving. Great video 👍

[@DGQ1Q2]

WoW with the first clip. Good lessons.

[@slyfoxyandalifesaver]

People like that really need to be reported to the police. It's not even a lack of awareness, it's just impatience and carelessness.

[@MK-1973]

Fantastic video ... and well done Ellie!

[@marklittler784]

I also straddle the line in cases to help protect pedestrians crossing or cars I am giving way to, exiting and entering junctions.

[@markwalton8644]

I often use straddling to control and protect people. I.e letting people out of junctions, letting kids amd grannies across the roads. You often see the person behind start to get frustrated but then realise what your doing. I like how your demonstration worked. The other drivers flashed you across which showed their understanding of the situation.

[@a1white]

“Most cyclists really believe….” it’s more likely to be “Most cyclists who watch channels like this”, in reality “most cyclists” probably would never expect a car to move completely into lane 2 to overtake (as they so rarely experience it).

[@jasonk7072]

As a cyclist, it’s not just about the space, it’s also the speed and the manner of the overtake. It’s all very well giving me the space required by the Highway Code, but if you’re coming past me at high speed and making loads of noise with your acceleration you’re no better that the close passer.

[@darthwiizius]

As a motorist I agree, it's just a matter of being considerate which some drivers seem too selfish to behave like.

[@Sheistmeister]

Excellent instruction given to your pupil. I wish all drivers were given such quality instruction. Having cycled in a few european countries i can confirm sadly that in the UK that's not the case

[@ToppyTree]

Thank you for being so considerate of the cyclist. I definitely learnt something here

[@sedumjp]

Great advice here, and noted for future use. On the safe passing of cyclists, today I noticed a cyclist down the road, I was in lane 2 (urban two laner) and a bus was in lane 1 by the side of me. I eased back to let the bus go out to get round the cyclist. The bus did so and straddled the lanes to get round so everything was going just great, and at that point everyone had a gold star! BUT then the bus then moved back into lane 1 pretty sharpish once the front of the bus had cleared the cyclist but not the rest of the bus. By the time the back of the bus was passing the cyclist it was about 0.5m or less between them, in fact it, was way too close for comfort . The bus had absolutely no reason to move back in either, I had cleared them a nice little pocket in lane 2 and they could have straddled until they were way past the cyclist. Not sure what training the bus drivers get, but for this one it seems like it was 2 hours playing Grand Theft Auto...

[@paulsirescu1778]

5:08 i first heard: "get going! Blast'em Ally"

[@ihurtmyarm]

I'm pretty sure Ashley has his friends driving around locally on call for whenever he needs to follow up something he has said with a real life example.

[@mafamoomusic7482]

It's uncanny isn't it lol

[@ZicoTheMysticalWarrior]

Sadly with the standard of some peoples driving I doubt he really has to ever stage anything!

[@TDHurley]

Massively insightful.

[@gezzarandom]

As you said Ashley, it depends on the situation.

[@zzhughesd]

Ashley. Now would never thought thought of that. As a driver and cyclist. Maybe as it hasn’t happened to me ( yet )

[@themanhunt1234]

Good info here for me. I've never met a cyclist on a fast 2+ lane road before, so this is good insight.

[@Patrickthe1st]

You're a great teacher, making the roads safer by education.

[@Pinie-ue9mz]

Learned a new safety tip, thanks ash

[@ashley_neal]

Happy to help!

[@mattf3513]

Brilliant! You may be in a different country across the Atlantic but I appreciate the wonderful teachings nonetheless. With any luck someone here is doing the same. Here's hoping I can share the road with people who understand as well as you do how to treat cyclists on the road. Cheers from Canada

[@Brescianogb]

you are a good teacher telling your students to signal before moving lanes. the amount of people in this county who dont know how to signal is appalling

[@grahamnutt8958]

Top drawer as always Ash. The opening clip was a ⚡shocker⚡ To straddle, or not to straddle? That is the question. Clearly depends on the situation and the awareness of other road users. Minimising risk is totally the best you or anyone can hope to achieve imho. Cooperation is also key. Nice to note that some people will be courteous; rather than closing the space. Stay safe out there 👍

[@OG_Rider]

Good point well illustrated

[@007floppyboy]

Absolutely, I have said this before in one of your other clips, taking both lanes (driving over the lines) is often the safest for the cyclist, stops folk passing on either side. I had it happen to me as a cyclist many years ago, and whats more, the then undertaking vehicle is going much faster, than the original vehicle. This refers to a two lane system (dual carriage way) you need to straddle the centre line. But a single carriage way you need to move to the other lane or just about. Most cyclist are happy with 1 to 1.5m always happy for more space, I always acknowledge a good pass, as well as hissing at a bad pass, not that many motorist would notice, but if they do look in the mirror I will be holding my hand up, same for when they slow and get stuck behind me for a few 10s of seconds. Spot on with this.

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

Wow, you’re a genius, thank you so much Ashley! What you’ve said makes perfect sense, if there’s nobody behind you then use lane 2 to overtake them so you give them more space but if there are cars behind you straddle to prevent vehicles from behind undertaking you to protect the cyclist, I’ll definitely be doing this from now on! 🙃

[@peterhurst]

Yep - that's much more nuanced and a good example of your good observation causing those who aren't to make bad decisions whcih you managed well. And yes I completely agree that the distance to the cyclist should be as large as safely possible, and on a clear road in the second lane.

[@tracyrain4941]

Im thinking I missed out on so much from having a poor driving instructor. We rarely talked about this sort of stuff. Thankfully, im the type of person who loves to learn new things and I certainly learned there. Cheers for sharing your driving knowledge with the masses...😊

[@mickmorrison]

As a cyclist I position in the middle of the lane, cycling in the gutter encourages traffic to squeeze past also there tends to be more pot holes and also broken drains. Being in the middle of the lane gives you the chance to avoid any obstacles that maybe on the road. The car that undertook did so because the cyclist was in the gutter so the driver saw a gap.

[@ianhill4585]

I was taught to Put the indicator on, when moving over to pass other road users, it pre warns following motorists, and marks the spot where the obstruction is,( even a moving obstruction, like a cycle or Pedestrian,) its just an extra clue to help, what's following you. And I would straddle lanes, to deter, motorists undertaking me.

[@Will-it6ds]

This was such a helpful video, I didn’t think of this, I usually just give as much room as possible but will be using this method from now on, obviously whilst still giving plenty of room 😂👍

[@reecehandley4662]

Whether in my car or hgv dont think I have ever felt the need to straddle to pass a cyclist. If I have to straddle to pass I'm not going to overtake

[@Dust76tr]

I quite liked Ellie's clips, shows how to manage situations well, and not just actions of other road users, but also you having to think on your feet when Ellie decided to turn left "We weren't going this way, but I guess we are now" so you've then got to come up with a new route for her to drive.

[@Lioness99a]

I did that once to my driving instructor - he told me to head back home and I went straight on at a set of lights when I should have turned right! Luckily didn't make it too much of detour home

[@Dust76tr]

@@Lioness99a got to keep the instructors on their toes, in a good way, if course! 😂

[@marklittler784]

Yeah you can control most traffic behind on a two lane road by straddling the line, motorbikes and scooters behind are more likely to realise why your doing so and not undertake.

[@paulcollyer801]

I mentioned in a previous video that when passing cyclists I will straddle in my truck to discourage just this! When you see a truck take up 2 lanes, it’s almost Always for a good reason, don’t try to squeeze past, you might come a cropper, & if the trucker runs a dashcam, whether you do or not, you’ll be stuffed; the trucker can justify his actions, you can’t justify your risk taking. Edit:- I will also straddle in my car sometimes, situation dependent, eg I’m sticking to the limit or below but no one else is, for exactly the same reason, as you taught Ellie there.

[@prf76]

If I’m in the car I’d straddle the white line. If I’m at work driving the truck I pull in to lane 2. I’ve never had this happen to me yet but I’ll bear it in mind for future cyclist overtakes. Another top tip Ashley 👍🏻

[@MG-cp8xk]

Good point.

[@MrFluteboy1980]

That first clip was insane. Its a shame, because it looks like the truck driver was really trying to do the right thing!

[@raithrover1976]

I drive a large van (VW Crafter) for a living and I'm always mindful that following drivers can't see what's in front of my van. Using indicators and taking up the safest road positions for cyclists and pedestrians is important, more so than when I'm behind the wheel of my Fiesta. Also, waving pedestrians across the road or other drivers out of side roads when driving a larger vehicle can do more harm than good due to the size of the visual obstruction created by the van.

[@jgdooley2003]

I believe that the Irish Rules of the road strongly discourages hand signals between drivers or trusting such signals totally without making your own independent observations prior to making a move on the road. Many accidents have had people claiming they were following another drivers hand signals which were in error and led them into a collision. On more than one occasion I have nearly been hit by a car first letting me turn right on a busy road then accelerating to hit me when I was halfway across the turn. Now I never 100% trust indications or signals,( hand, lights flashed etc..) made by other motorists. On another occasion the guy behind the courteous guy at a right turn overtook the courteous guy and nearly hit me. Luckily I was able to shoot across into the minor road just in time.

[@raithrover1976]

@@jgdooley2003 In the UK, you'll fail your driving test for waving or flashing other road users out. The thinking behind it is sound; you should always allow other road users to make their own decisions without putting pressure on them. A big problem that I've encountered is caused by lorry drivers travelling on rural single-carriageways signalling left to let following drivers know that the road ahead is clear and it's safe to pass them. The problem is, by the time the following driver pulls out and gains enough momentum to overtake, the road might not still be clear. It can also cause frustration and anger in drivers further back in the queue if when they see the driver who's immediately behind the lorry not overtaking when they see the lorry's left signal. I used to see regular near misses on the A9 between Perth and Inverness caused by this.

[@James-KL]

I fully support your approach. I live in Italy and drive but also I am an ardent cyclist. When driving here, if you move over someone will take your place immediately so, when overtaking a cyclist, straddling the lane stops anyone undertaking (or overtaking) protecting both your position in the road and the cyclist. As a cyclist I am extremely comfortable with this. If a driver moves fully into the second lane here I presume they are overtaking (usually at speed) and the other car will have no space to give me clearance, so I pull well over to maximize clearance-very uncomfortable! So yes-straddle! 👍

[@sanchoodell6789]

This why also it is a good idea for cyclists to use their lights (in flashing mode) even during the daytime. Particularly on faster dual carriageways as in the clips shown to improve their visibility to other road users.

[@louise6395]

great vid! as a HGV driver not really given that scenario much consideration. I will now too straddle the lane when over taking cyclists.. makes perfect sense.

[@ashley_neal]

If there is no risk from behind, give more space though! 👍🏼

[@weevilinabox]

Also give more space if the cyclist is already managing their own safety (as much as they can!) by "taking the lane", rather than riding in the gutter.

[@thomaslubben8559]

Great point. I spend more time ok n a bicycle than I do in a car. Fortunately, in my city we have halfway decent bicycle infrastructure. This video shows me also the lack of infrastructure that bicyclists have to deal with in the UK. I don't know if I would cycle there. I don't understand why the UK hasn't learned from its neighbor across the North Sea, the Netherlands. Roughly same climate, and the cities are roughly the same density. What a contrast!

[@MaddSusie]

Just reading up, as I am aware of a consultation in the last couple of years for the required space when overtaking cyclists and proposed changes appear to be 1.5 metres space under 30 mph and 2 metres over 30 mph. Also worth noting that when overtaking horses, also recent consultation for the maximum speed when passing a horse is recommending a maximum speed of 15mph.

[@LakesGeek]

Yeah that makes sense, it's creating like a protective "bubble" around the cyclist. Had a situation last week where I gave a cyclist quite a lot of room (a straddle but 2-3rds into lane 2) and that was enough to trigger an Audi (of course) behind into flashing his lights at me. Not from pulling out in front - he was miles behind and not going that fast - I think he was just annoyed at me borrowing part of "his" lane or at me giving a supposedly excessive amount of space to the cyclist. I guess that is the kind of situation where if I'd gone fully into lane 2 he might have taken his offence-taking to the point of speeding up, undertaking and endangering the cyclist.

[@ddturnerphd]

Having spent significant time on the road on two wheels prior to driving a car, I acknowledge I think bike more often than it appears other car drivers seem to. Adopting a positing of straddling lanes is definitely my preferred option when overtaking a bicycle in Melbourne.

[@Cookster997]

In that first scenario in the intro, that illustrates exactly why I would take the center of the lane if I were the cyclist, forcing drivers to recognize that it is not safe to attempt the squeeze.

[@davidjones332]

This doesn't just apply to cyclists; if there's any obstruction on the nearside from a pedestrian in the road to a blown-over wheelie bin or a car parked half on the pavement, I always try to straddle both lanes if it's busy to discourage some halfwit from trying to charge up the inside because they haven't grasped what's going on.

[@PedroConejo1939]

I must confess, the risk of someone undertaking if I move over to pass a cyclist had never occurred to me - it should have done because I've had people try to undertake when I pass an HGV and give them a safety zone before pulling back in. To (mis)paraphrase Ian Dury, 'There ain't alf been some stupid bastards'.

[@grahamnutt8958]

Knock me down with a feather, Clever Trevor 🎶🎵 As a fellow subscriber to the Ian Dury school of sarcasm.... your post is absolutely kushtie 😁🤣

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@grahamnutt8958 If I'm going to misquote someone, best misquote a genius.

[@grahamnutt8958]

@@PedroConejo1939 👊👍👍

[@peterturner8766]

I may be wrong but at 6:50 (ish) I think Ellie was very gently moving to the right as she actually passed the cyclist. If (as in this instance) that is safe to do whilst straddling to pass a cyclist, that is a good thing in my view. I am not suggesting a sudden violent "swoop" to the right but if it can be done safely it means at the most dangerous time the car is on a diverging path to the bike and gives a tiny bit of extra safety compared to taking a parallel path at that point.

[@Dare2Doubt]

Good points about overtaking cyclists. It would be prudent to also point out that larger, less aerodynamic vehicles are displacing more air as they pass and therefore creating a bigger suction effect on the cyclist which is why you need the extra room in a truck or van. Fair point on undertakers though and it would be good if technology existed to alert them to these potential situations or they were simply shot.

[@PedroConejo1939]

The technology does exist and has done for some time now, it's commonly called the visual cortex.

[@johnmoore2342]

I've cycled for years and covered long distances all over the country. My lived experience is that it's vanishingly rare for vehicles to move fully into a second lane to overtake a cyclist. Straddling lanes is the norm. I'm comfortable with that. It keeps me safe. Unfortunately, the next most common is the all too regular close pass, which is sometimes life-threatening and is always scary.

[@robg521]

Totally understandable on a ‘fast moving’ dual carriageway, What people watching this need to understand is human nature and psychology. There are not that many people who will think “what danger is that car pulling out into the outside lane to avoid”, most people will think ‘why is that idiot pulling out for no reason and slowing me down’ So undertaking is wrong but it’s what a lot of people will do. Straddling protects the cyclist.

[@JimCullen]

As a cyclist myself, I've never had a problem with people overtaking me with a straddle, as long as it's a sufficiently wide straddle. I don't really care where a car does it, as long as I have room to feel safe. As both a cyclist and driver, I've never even thought about the particular _reason_ behind it that you present in this video. It's almost a similar idea to the concept cyclists have of "taking the lane" to prevent dangerous narrow overtakes. I had never thought of applying the same logic when behind the wheel.

[@whiteloafers9658]

*Writing this before watching the video* I tend to straddle the lane if I have vehicles behind me but change completely if I'm the only car on the road. I always hope that straddling, rather than an obvious lane change makes the driver behind think 'what's he up to' and makes them a bit more alert to any bicycle, mobility scooter or other slow moving thing on the inside. Not sure if this is correct but I've always thought it the sensible thing to do

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

I've driven an array of vehicles over many years from the humble car to lorries. I've also rode various motorcycles and am a keen cyclist. In an ideal world everyone would have to ride a bicycle on public roads for a month before gaining access to a driving licence, in my opinion.

[@anonimouse8918]

Genuine care, consideration and competence keeps things safe. Just sticking dogmatically to " the rules" does not and you have brilliantly illustrated that here.

[@TheLongNeckGamer]

I think I do this anyway, but from now on I'll Make sure I do This. Cheers. Pleasure as always.

[@Rroff2]

Sadly knew exactly where the video was going before 30 seconds in - had people do it to me when driving my pickup a few times hence I tend to straddle these days.

[@crunch8484]

I was taught by the legendary John Lyon on his High Performance Course to leave at least 8-10 feet between you and the cyclist.. i.e. enough room for a 6 ft cyclist, standing on the pedals, to topple sideways with his hands fully stretched out. Good point about not encouraging people to undertake though.

[@edwardlamb]

I was sent this one before I watched it... another cyclist on Twitter wasn't happy with it! I've watched it and, to be honest, I think the advice is very good. I've never seen anything like that first incident. Very worrying. One thing I would have added (if I may) is advice to riders in slow moving traffic (or traffic that is rushing between sets of lights). Take primary! Easier said than done, but on a two lane road that is 30mph (sometimes 40) I will just claim the whole lane for myself. It's quite rare and tends not to go down too well with the odd driver, but it's often the safest place to be in traffic like that. I always massively appreciate a full lane overtake but appreciate it's not always an option. If the driver has slowed to do a closer pass then that is OK with me (as long as it's not too close, obvs).

[@ashley_neal]

How do you think riding in Primary affects your visibility for situations like the first clip. I personally think it might also help but I'd be interested in your opinion 👍🏼

[@edwardlamb]

@@ashley_neal I imagine it would help but I'd rather take a close pass at speed than risk being hit from behind on a road like that. Amazing to see people walking on the same road in the clip??! Absolutely mind boggling that we can't find space to install a wide pavement on roads like that where people want/need to walk or cycle. There is a user called @experienced

[@DAFPvnk]

Last time I straddled lanes and someone got the hump was a few days ago on the NCR in London, near Wembley park. I had them st raddled to get around a tight corner with the trailer and a van took issue with my approach and decided to try and bully me back into lane one. Good thing I was only straddling to avoid mounting a kerb and pavement, rather than to help a cyclist...

[@robertmartindale563]

This is exactly the issue I had once, I moved to lane two to pass a cyclist, a van comes flying up lane three (over the 40mph limit), cuts across behind me to lane one and only just misses the cyclist I had moved over to pass. I think I have the clip somewhere.

[@cyclecam6328]

Yikes

[@weevilinabox]

Sounds like a candidate for Ashley's "Driving Fails".

[@slyfoxyandalifesaver]

What are the chances of the same scenario with both outcomes happening in the same lesson! I was never really sure if to straddle or to just change lanes, Often treated it as a judgement call depending how stable and confident the rider is. If they were a bit wobbly then I'd go big and bold with a wider spacing. Well done Ellie and thank you Ashley, It definitely gave me a different view on the situation and take it forward.