Passing on the right

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David P. on August 1, 2013 at 3:07pm

Since it sounds like this happened as you were on the far side of the intersection and nearly in the bike lane again, I'd put this in the 'dick move' category. But at that intersection, if it happens on the near (west) side, I think it is generally fine. I go through in that direction every morning on the way to work; depending on traffic at the time - what vehicles are already there and where they are - and weather (is there a lot of standing water on the far side of the intersection?) I will either stop in the middle of the thru lane, in between the lanes, or in the middle of the right-turn lane. In the latter case, I treat the right-turn lane as a thru lane. In some cases I will pass people on the right, but only when I've got at least half a lane's worth of space between, and not on the far half of the intersection. If I somehow ever blow by you on the right, please dope-slap me at Elston :)

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth M. on August 1, 2013 at 3:20pm

Yes, I was almost all the way across and into the bike lane. That's why it was such a surprise, especially considering the speed and proximity at which he blew past me. I'm used to people passing me IN the intersection. Shoaling doesn't even bother me because I know I'm slower than most (I lovingly refer to my bike as the two-wheeled tank). I like the idea of getting in the center of the turn lane if possible.

But, yeah, I'll dope-slap you at Elston if I catch you. :) 

David P. said:

Since it sounds like this happened as you were on the far side of the intersection and nearly in the bike lane again, I'd put this in the 'dick move' category. But at that intersection, if it happens on the near (west) side, I think it is generally fine. I go through in that direction every morning on the way to work; depending on traffic at the time - what vehicles are already there and where they are - and weather (is there a lot of standing water on the far side of the intersection?) I will either stop in the middle of the thru lane, in between the lanes, or in the middle of the right-turn lane. In the latter case, I treat the right-turn lane as a thru lane. In some cases I will pass people on the right, but only when I've got at least half a lane's worth of space between, and not on the far half of the intersection. If I somehow ever blow by you on the right, please dope-slap me at Elston :)

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Permalink Reply by Rich S on August 1, 2013 at 4:17pm

It's the opposite when bike lanes are on the left side of the street. Basically you don't want someone passing in between you and parked cars. 

I ride Clark to work most mornings and I'm usually on the left side once it becomes a southbound one-way. I'll pass other bikers on the right in that situation. 

Jamais716 said:

Any thoughts on how this should work in a buffered lane that's on the left side of the road like on Jackson?  I always wonder when I'm riding if I should stay at the far right edge of the lane so bikes can pass on the left as usual, or if they should pass on the right since that's where faster traffic is.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on August 1, 2013 at 5:46pm

I don't know about you, but I don't have eyes on the back of my head, or a rearview mirror, or both-side sideview mirrors. I *do* now have a left side sideview mirror on my commuter, and it's helped a ton in cases like what Brock T mentioned, but if a bike passes me on the right, I can't be aware of them because I can't see them. Plus, I'm already trying to avoid doors opening on that side and weaving cell-phone wielders on the left. 

J Park said:

I'm against right-handed passing as well - but isn't there a tad bit of hypocrisy when we rail against cagers not being aware of their environment (re: cyclists around them) but we're okay to be unaware (in this scenario) of other cyclists?

All the arguments made above about "cyclists don't EXPECT <insert sharer of road> to perform a <jerk action>..." applies 100% to cagers' usual remarks about bikes on roads.  And we don't accept their excuses for not using rearview/sideview/common sense...

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Permalink Reply by Julia 3.5/7.5 mi on August 1, 2013 at 7:36pm

I don't expect people on my right and while it happens on Elston/Milwaukee, it pisses me off every time. It's stupid dangerous and unexpected. I've actually started calling out jerks that try to pass on the right on Milwaukee - something like "heads up, one on the right" to give riders ahead of me a forewarning.

I think I actually gave Julie a heads up about a jerk on Milwaukee one morning (going sheerly based off height and pink helmet observations). He was about to pass on the right with not enough clearance, and when I called out, he backed off and rode nicely until he could pass on the left in a wider area :)

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Permalink Reply by SlowCoachOnTheRoad on August 1, 2013 at 8:50pm

Passing on the left is best.  I agree that passing on the right is unexpected.  But passing over you really should not be tolerated as there is a risk of crashing on your head and our helmets do not provide sufficient protection.

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Permalink Reply by David Barish on August 2, 2013 at 9:50am

Your encounter is not terribly unusual. There is a lot of passing on the right these days.  Its not a good thing.  A colleague recently started commuting. He lives closer in than I do and has been doing so more often.  He tells me that he is always passed on the right and it drives him crazy.  He said, "I'm not all that fast so I ride a little closer  to the right to allow people to pass me on the left and they still pass on the right."  The passers are not only rude but they are fools because they are likely closer to lurking car doors.

Its not that hard to pass on the left.(Do I have to include the lyrics to the Time Warp here?) Sometimes circumstances dictate a right sided pass. If so, announce your intention.  Let the other riders know what you are doing.

Elizabeth, you did everything right. You were in the best place on the street to go where you were going.  You didn't mention getting into an argument with the passer but chose to discuss it here.  Wise thinking in all regards. 

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