Daytona Beach Bicycle Club

Don’t Make Drivers Pass You Twice

Here’s a common situation that can easily result in annoyed motorists and dangerous driving if handled the wrong way:

A number of cars have rolled past you and now they’re stopped at a red light. You have 2 choices:

You can stop behind the last car, move forward when it does — and maybe get caught by the light again, losing another couple of minutes.

You can ride up the edge of the road to the front of the line, passing all the cars that just passed you.

I am as guilty as the next roadie of making the second choice, even though passing like this is unsafe if not illegal. (We’re talking about roads without wide shoulders or bike lanes.)

Now at the front of the line again, you have 2 more choices when the light turns green:

You can push off immediately and resume riding.

You can stand still to let the drivers move ahead or turn in front or you, then go before the green light changes.

To ensure peace on Earth, the second way is recommended. Because if you don’t let the traffic go, you’ll be forcing each driver to pass you a second time.

Trade places with one of them. He just managed to get around you, and now you’re in front of him again. He was considerate once but got nothing in return. Maybe this time he’ll use the horn and squeeze past. Maybe he’ll swerve and cut in to “teach you a lesson.”

If you want a guaranteed hassle, leave first again at the third light.

We’re not saying to ride meekly. We’re saying to ride smartly in this situation by not riding at all for a few seconds.

Taken from RoadBikeRider, Another Road Bike Opinion

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