Motorcycles overtaking

[larmen]

I never rode a motorcycle, never wanted to. But my work mate has just done his license and what he told me what they are supposed to do, and how they are supposed to pass standing traffic I found quite confusing. It didn't feel intuitive for a car driver.

Anyway, if a biker comes I give him space. If I am standing in a jam, no point in holding him up if I don't need to.

 

[Imurg]

Biggest issue I have with bikers at the moment involves our Bus lanes
Cars, vans and lorries have to slide out around the bus lanes, bikes, motorbikes and taxis can use the bus lane, as well as coaches and, of course buses.
The problem is that the bikers use the bus lane as an overtaking lane so that when you have to re-merge after the bus lane, often there's a bike steaming up the inside while you're trying to get out of the way of traffic coming the other way....
Unfortunately, the number of moronic bikers is far less than the number of moronic drivers -and they seem to have their fear gene removed.

 

[Hobbit]

And going round traffic islands on the wrong side of the road?
But from another point of view, why should 1 road tax paying group expect to be able to go faster than another road tax paying group?

Be careful you don't get caught overtaking a tractor!

 

[Smiffy]

On a slightly different subject (but still moaning about motorbikes), what is it with some of them (mopeds included) and their excessive noises. I think BiM has explained before it's so they are noticeable by cars, which I get to an extent, but living above a roundabout, they noise so so many of them make is insane. I thought there was a limit to noise pollution, I'm guessing it's not enforced at all! Louder than 99.9% of cars that go past!

When I rode, I took a Bikesafe course, held by our local police.
Idea was that two of you went out with a police rider and each took it in turns to lead the group, followed by the police rider who monitored, and marked, your riding and gave you advice as to where you could improve.
At the time I had a very powerful Kawasaki to which I had fitted a rather loud pair of aftermarket "Staintune" cans (exhausts).
I thought I was going to get a rollocking by the copper because of their noise, but he commented after my first stint in front that he liked them because normally he would have to weave along behind watching for my gear changes, but could hear every change I made with the louder exhausts, and how easy it had made his job! He then went on to ask me which make they were and was going to order some for his own road bike!
When riding a bike you have to be prepared for everything. You have to ride defensively and be prepared for other road users doing the "unexpected".
You have to be visible as the number of drivers when involved in a accident with a bike claim "I didn't see him". If this means having louder cans so at least if they claim they can't see you they cannot claim they didn't hear you coming, so be it.

 

[upsidedown]

My beef with motorbikes at the moment is some of them who have their lights on Full beam and not dipped in daylight. Yes I understand and acknowledge you want/need to be seen but don't flipping blind me doing it !!!

 

[USER1999]

Since when did it becaome the law that all motorcycles had to overtake their lane in the middle of yours (the on coming lane) forcing you to either stop, slow or deviate from your own path? Seems to be so commonplace now that "filtering" through their lane in the traffic is so time consuming.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who see's it.

You are not alone. It happens a lot where i work. They just expect to be able to drive on your side of the road, and you have to get out of their way. That said, vans are no better.

 

[Slab]

My beef with motorbikes at the moment is some of them who have their lights on Full beam and not dipped in daylight. Yes I understand and acknowledge you want/need to be seen but don't flipping blind me doing it !!!

I wish!

Often it’s as if motorbikes/mopeds/scooters are excluded from any requirement to have working lights or wear hi-vis/reflective gear (cyclists just don’t bother as a rule) and on roads with no lighting it’s a daily challenge in the dark not to knock someone off their bike. And what thanks do I get for saving their skins? nothing, not a thing! There's gratitude for you

On overtaking, well lets just say it used to be a pleasing novelty to edge towards the nearside to let a motorbike pass (and the biker would typically wave back)
Here, they are the motoring equivalent of wasps and just as annoying when they swarm you at the lights or weave through traffic with rapid changes in direction & to top it many are over-loaded with people or cargo

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

I wish!

Often it’s as if motorbikes/mopeds/scooters are excluded from any requirement to have working lights or wear hi-vis/reflective gear (cyclists just don’t bother as a rule) and on roads with no lighting it’s a daily challenge in the dark not to knock someone off their bike. And what thanks do I get for saving their skins? nothing, not a thing! There's gratitude for you

Why do they need high viz/reflective clothing? (both motor cycles and push bikes...) If you can't see something with lights on, this is your mistake? Unless we also bring in the rule that only bright yellow reflective cars are allowed of course. As for "saving their skins", I'm not sure what you mean by this, do you want thanking everytime you don't hit someone?!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Well if you don't want to move over slightly and let the motorcyclist through the gap you could always play chicken with him and see who backs down first

As a cyclist I always find the intolerance of the average car driver bemusing.

 

[Foxholer]

Biggest issue I have with bikers at the moment involves our Bus lanes
Cars, vans and lorries have to slide out around the bus lanes, bikes, motorbikes and taxis can use the bus lane, as well as coaches and, of course buses.
The problem is that the bikers use the bus lane as an overtaking lane so that when you have to re-merge after the bus lane, often there's a bike steaming up the inside while you're trying to get out of the way of traffic coming the other way....
Unfortunately, the number of moronic bikers is far less than the number of moronic drivers -and they seem to have their fear gene removed.

That's merely a CONSEQUENCE of allowing bikers to use Bus Lanes - and they/we are not allowed to use ALL Bus Lanes!

The FUNDAMENTAL problem is lack of foresight by those who 'plan' the bus lanes involved and provide a 'merging' capability for the bikes! It's a similar 'problem' to cycle lanes that suddenly disappear!

And it actually IS an overtaking lane! That's precisely how the buses (and cabs where allowed) use them!

 

[Foxholer]

On a slightly different subject (but still moaning about motorbikes), what is it with some of them (mopeds included) and their excessive noises. I think BiM has explained before it's so they are noticeable by cars, which I get to an extent, but living above a roundabout, they noise so so many of them make is insane. I thought there was a limit to noise pollution, I'm guessing it's not enforced at all! Louder than 99.9% of cars that go past!

Ego aside, there's no reason to have loud exhaust noise - even in a supposed 'straight through' system! Especially when, at least 'in town' they hardly get out of 2nd gear!

Same actually applies to cars btw!

 

[Rooter]

I still believe that as part of your car test, you should ride a bike on the road. 'Most' bikers i believe are better/safer car drivers than the average car only driver. Having just started road cycling, the intolerance is amazing!

Mini roundabout, i am turning right, i am on the extreme right of my lane, start to go round and a car steams up from my left (he has to give way anyway) beeping and shouting at me. So i just stop on the roundabout and get off my bike, ask him what the problem is. Apparently, its because i pay no road tax, and slow people down, but he soon apologized, just look what happened to chris froome recently, too many nutters on the road, stay safe biker boys! I have not ridden a motorbike on the road for about 5 years, too scared to!

 

[Smiffy]

Ego aside, there's no reason to have loud exhaust noise - even in a supposed 'straight through' system!

As a Motorcyclist for many years, trust me there is.
I've lost so many friends to "SMIDSYS" (Sorry Mate I Didn't See You) that trying to help by actually getting the idiots to hear you is a priority.