Near Miss of the Day 603: Cyclist squeezed between overtaking driver and parked cars

The cyclist didn't clearly communicate his intentions. Good driving would be to hang back until it became clear, but it's not unreasonable to think the cyclist was letting the cars go. 

In my experience whenever you move in between two lots of parked cars, you're giving up the road until all the traffic has passed you, because you won't be able to safely pull out again once you start being overtaken. Don't do it unless that's what you intend.

Very poor driving, but rider failed to plan to pass parked cars with enough width to block vehicles from overtaking.

Yesterday I was riding home, I had to pass several parked cars. I looked back saw a car approaching from the rear. I indicated with my arm moved fully out to block the the car. I then held centre position around two bends and slightly moved off from centre to allow the car to pass. It moved completely to the other side to pass me. Thats how you control the traffic

sjplake wrote:

Very poor driving. Cyclist could improve road position to reduce the risk from poor driving by moving out earlier (if possible) and block the lane by being wider of the parked vehcile. The cyclist's position does not excuse the poor driving.

I agree with you, and they shouldn't have to as you say.

Any inexperienced, or young or less assertive or aggressive rider might make the same mistake. The mistake hurts or endangers no third party so really is small beer. The w&nker would have done the same to a kid. The fault is entirely with the micro d1ck in the 4x4 who pulled really stupid risky pointless and spiteful manouver.

I have also heard a cyclist's positioning used as an excuse ... along the lines of "he should have moved further out if he didn't want me to overtake". 

Sadly this is the level of thought among way too many drivers. They can't (or are not prepared to) make a proper judgement on whether what they are about to do is safe for the rider or not, they just assume that, as the rider hasn't physically prevented them from doing it, it must be OK. 

We really do need to move to a culture where driver competence is regularly retested as part of the licensing programme. 

Jetmans Dad wrote:

I have also heard a cyclist's positioning used as an excuse ... along the lines of "he should have moved further out if he didn't want me to overtake". 

Sadly this is the level of thought among way too many drivers. They can't (or are not prepared to) make a proper judgement on whether what they are about to do is safe for the rider or not, they just assume that, as the rider hasn't physically prevented them from doing it, it must be OK. 

We really do need to move to a culture where driver competence is regularly retested as part of the licensing programme. 

Absolutely, and it is a thought that is too prevalent in riders as well. Yes, many bolshy riders like me take that position on the road, but it takes some self-assurance, which many folk just don't have - they shouldn't be de facto prevented from riding cos of it.

O'taking is the single most dangerous maneuver that most drivers will make, even when done with consideration to the risks. My view is that it should be impermissable on 20mph rated roads - similar rule to unbroken white lines - and many roads currently rated 30 should be brought down to 20.

And yes, driver instruction and ssessment should be ongoing, and not a pass it once affair.