• DaddleDew@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Same problem in Canada. On some narrower roads the cyclist has to take up more road to force the drivers to wait until there is no incoming traffic in the other lane before overtaking. Otherwise some of them will try to squeeze through with zero consideration for the cyclist’s safety.

    I’ve learned that in motorcycle riding lessons. You have to constantly defend your safety bubble. If you let drivers see a gap that looks big enough they will try to squeeze through it and will push you off the road.

    • Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      3 months ago

      I’ve learned that in motorcycle riding lessons. You have to constantly defend your safety bubble. If you let drivers see a gap that looks big enough they will try to squeeze through it and will push you off the road.

      Yep, it’s the same here in the UK. Years ago, when I did my bike test, the examiner would test the gaps I was leaving, so if I indicated to turn right, he would attempt to gently push his way into the gap on my right to make sure that I wasn’t leaving room for someone to try to squeeze past.

      Obviously he did it in a safe way to make sure that I would be safe on the road on my own :)

    • Rentlar@lemmy.ca
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      3 months ago

      That’s right, as a cyclist I have to watch out for myself and the person trying to pass me, to make sure they don’t try a dangerous move when oncoming traffic is approaching (I have an ebike so drivers are a little less pissed at me on the uphills). On backroads I give hand signals, pump my left palm downward to tell them to wait a sec if I see traffic ahead or blind curves, then when clear, I wave forward in a similar motion as to summoning a dog, and I move to the side to tell them to pass.