Overtaking on left

8kvscdpglqnyr4

I'm just wondering if it is legal for a cyclist to overtake (undertake?) cars on the left if they are moving slowly or are stopped in traffic (not including bus lanes or hard shoulders)?

I cycle everyday in traffic and do this quite often although I do try overtake on the right where possible.

irishmotorist

I'd gather that it's inferred rather than stated. The general rules say that you can only pass on the if you're going around an obstruction or if there are two lanes moving slowly and the left lane happens to be moving slightly faster than the right one.

As cyclists should keep to the left, I would see it that we are moving past an obstruction (stationary traffic) or slow moving traffic.

You'd want to meet a Garda who has had a particularly bad day (demoted, evicted, divorced AND hungry) to try to collar you for that.

blorg

If they are stopped or "moving in queues" then it is legal, yes. There are many references in the ROTR etc for motorists to watch for cyclists on their left so it is also entirely expected.

8kvscdpglqnyr4

The reason I ask is because a Garda did say it to me that I should overtake on the left!

Does anyone have a reference in the ROTR where is says it's OK for cyclists to overtake on the left?

irishmotorist

Cyclists are equal in traffic terms to other vehicles with some additions or notes - such as cycle lanes, bus lanes, specific mentions of visibility etc.

Because of this, any rule that's in the ROTR that relate to passing on the left, relate to cyclists - such as obstructions or slow moving traffic.

Edit:
I'd say that the Garda who said that you should pass on the left might have said it because often passing on the right means passing along or very close to the middle white line which puts you nearly in the face of oncoming traffic. That's dangerous enough, but glare/dazzle from the cars you are passing will make it very difficult for oncoming traffic to see you. Unless you're driving a lighthouse, your lights may not be brighter than the cars you are passing and you'll get lost in the light.

zzzzzzzz

Hendrix Kind Kindle wrote: »

The reason I ask is because a Garda did say it to me that I should overtake on the left!

Does anyone have a reference in the ROTR where is says it's OK for cyclists to overtake on the left?

Well - it's ok for motorists too provided the outside lane is slow moving or stopped.

http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-for-driving/good-driving-practice/overtaking.html wrote:

You may overtake on the left when

* Traffic in both lanes is moving slowly and traffic in the left-hand lane is moving more quickly than the traffic in the right-hand lane.

DirkVoodoo

The main danger is that you are more likely to have passengers alighting from the left than the right (unless the car is parked). Watch out for doors, don't go faster than you feel is safe to do so and please, please don't go on the inside of anything large (buses, trucks, etc.) where the driver has too many blindspots.

Just use common sense and don't be afraid of taking up a place in the lane and sitting in traffic, I do it plenty of times and although it makes you a little slower at getting to wherever you are going, drivers can see you and (mostly) don't do anything stupid.

BeerNut

Hendrix Kind Kindle wrote: »

Does anyone have a reference in the ROTR where is says it's OK for cyclists to overtake on the left?

It's assumed on p.158:
"When cycling alongside traffic stopped in line..."

DirkVoodoo

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

Well - it's ok for motorists too provided the outside lane is slow moving or stopped.

that's for a multilane system, I think he is referring to a bike moving down the inside of traffic in the same lane. I could be wrong though.

But you are still correct of course, not disputing that.

8kvscdpglqnyr4

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

that's for a multilane system, I think he is referring to a bike moving down the inside of traffic in the same lane. I could be wrong though.

But you are still correct of course, not disputing that.

Yeah this is what I'm talking about - where the bike and car are sharing the same single lane.

And I'm just after reading back thought my post and I realised I made a tiny typo that is going to have massive ramifications for the discussion:o

Hendrix Kind Kindle wrote:

The reason I ask is because a Garda did say it to me that I should overtake on the left!

What I meant to say was:
The reason I ask is because a Garda did say it to me that I shouldn't overtake on the left!
That's why I started to overtake on the right where possible.

irishmotorist

IMO, the Garda answered out of context or is just plain wrong.

zzzzzzzz

Hendrix Kind Kindle wrote: »

Yeah this is what I'm talking about - where the bike and car are sharing the same single lane.

And I'm just after reading back thought my post and I realised I made a tiny typo that is going to have massive ramifications for the discussion:o



What I meant to say was:
The reason I ask is because a Garda did say it to me that I shouldn't overtake on the left!
That's why I started to overtake on the right where possible.

Sure I know what you mean - I would have thought the same principle would apply though...

Stark

I find when overtaking on the left that once cars start moving, some cars tend to drift towards the kerb without looking and you can find yourself pinned. Overtaking on the right feels a bit safer in this regard (bar the odd impromptu U-turner!).

8kvscdpglqnyr4

Stark wrote: »

I find when overtaking on the left that once cars start moving, some cars tend to drift towards the kerb without looking and you can find yourself pinned. Overtaking on the right feels a bit safer in this regard (bar the odd impromptu U-turner!).

I agree, overtaking on the right feels a bit safer.

I'm just wondering about the legalities of overtaking on the left give what the Garda said to me.

So in the ROTR it states that you can overtake on the left if the right lane is moving more slowly. However, what if the cyclist is sharing the same lane as the motorist ... what then?

IM0

Hendrix Kind Kindle wrote: »

I'm just wondering if it is legal for a cyclist to overtake (undertake?) cars on the left if they are moving slowly or are stopped in traffic (not including bus lanes or hard shoulders)?

strickly speaking its illegal...then again so is J-walkin :rolleyes:
I wouldnt do it near a left turn junction...you askin for it there..
likewise a right turn junction when overtakin on the right.

I cycle everyday in traffic and do this quite often although I do try overtake on the right where possible.

thats ten times worse to do than undertaking stopped traffic cars :eek:
if im reading your post right..cars are NOT expecting bikes to come around them on the right side in traffic.
undertaking in traffic you needs your wits about you, watch out ESPECIALLY for pedestrians crossing between the cars when they're stopped/creeping
and for car doors opening onto you...best way to handle these conditions is to move slowly (a relative term) and being V vigilant of the surroundings.

Caroline_ie

I do it but I am very careful.

I had a terrifying incident where i was stuck in traffic in my car, indicating to turn right from the main road into the few shops on the side on the road, but i wasn't close enough to the entrance to proceed. The road was curved and on a 4 or 5% downhill slope. When the road was clear and I proceded to turn right that cyclist going at crazy speed overtook the line of cars and hit my car ever so slightly as I was turning. I am always to careful of cyclist ... i was in shock for a few hours after that. The cyclist did not stop and continued his commute.

NeilMcEoigheann

i had a car under taking me on the left tonight, most redicilious thing to try and fit a car through a small gap. anyway she started beeping so i stopped and waited. she called me a bastard and hoped i would get run over and i called her a bitch and a bad driver we both went on our way.
Its not cool for drivers to undertake....

Canis Lupus

I personally 'undertake' always. I will overtake only if a car has blocked my path to undertake.

When I drive I expect cyclists to come from my left and generally motorcyclists to be on my right.

crisco10

All this being said. I have seen a few people undertaking a stopped Dublin Bus. Idiotic when one considers that buses only stop to let people on/off. Quite rightly it drives the Bus drivers up the wall!

Knifey_Spooney

crisco10 wrote: »

All this being said. I have seen a few people undertaking a stopped Dublin Bus. Idiotic when one considers that buses only stop to let people on/off. Quite rightly it drives the Bus drivers up the wall!

I've seen various people do this to 46a's on the way home and I understand why cyclists can annoy bus drivers. However I do think some bus drivers do stuff specifically to get back at cyclists, such as overtaking you just before a bus stop, or worse half overtaking you then pulling into a bus stop while your on his left which is down right lunacy (happened to me last night).
Personally whenever a bus is near me I slow right down and let him get ahead assuming its possible.

NeilMcEoigheann

crisco10 wrote: »

All this being said. I have seen a few people undertaking a stopped Dublin Bus. Idiotic when one considers that buses only stop to let people on/off. Quite rightly it drives the Bus drivers up the wall!

i had a dublin bus drive up level with me and then continue to pull in to the cycle lane on o'connel street, nearly put my fist through the door window banging on it, then i just get beep'd and shouted at. wanker

crisco10

Knifey_Spooney wrote: »

I've seen various people do this to 46a's on the way home and I understand why cyclists can annoy bus drivers. However I do think some bus drivers do stuff specifically to get back at cyclists, such as overtaking you just before a bus stop, or worse half overtaking you then pulling into a bus stop while your on his left which is down right lunacy (happened to me last night).
Personally whenever a bus is near me I slow right down and let him get ahead assuming its possible.

I must say, I actually have a lot of time for the bus drivers, they seem to be the only people on the road who care about cyclists. That's my experience anyway.
That is mental about the bus pulling in on top of you though. Talk about a "squeeze"!
Although, i hate when you get into one of those cycles with a bus, overtake them at a bus stop they overtake halfway between stops, you overtake them at the next bus stop...etc.
Very tiring.

blorg

Most Dublin bus drivers are very courteous but there are a small minority that are sociopaths; I've had the deliberately driving into me thing too.

Stark

There are a few routes in Dublin that I've been put off cycling as I always have trouble with drivers on them.

Knifey_Spooney

crisco10 wrote: »

I must say, I actually have a lot of time for the bus drivers, they seem to be the only people on the road who care about cyclists. That's my experience anyway.
That is mental about the bus pulling in on top of you though. Talk about a "squeeze"!
Although, i hate when you get into one of those cycles with a bus, overtake them at a bus stop they overtake halfway between stops, you overtake them at the next bus stop...etc.
Very tiring.

I do agree most of em give plenty of space and pay loads of attention, which although nice is as far as I'm concerned is only right, I mean the bottom line is they're in a clunky 20 tonne vehicle, your on one that weighs less than a bus stop....
I dunno what it is about 46a drivers but there are a fair number of loonies driving them, I saw some poor commuter with a crappy bike get stuck between 2 46a's recently...... Thought he wasn't at fault until I saw the headphones that said both drivers def saw him and still trapped him....