British Road Etiquette

[Orson]

So...I noticed when riding on a single carriageway with a solid double line, some motorists would scoot over to the edge of the road as if to allow me pass.

Now, if this had been Italy, I woulda zoomed by in the blink of an eye  

This, however, being prim and proper UK, I waited until oncoming traffic had cleared before making a pass. I wasn't sure if I would be breaching some form of lane etiqette if I passed without crossing the double line (ie; both of us in the same lane).

What is the verdict? Pass with a thank you wave?

[Netminder]

Make sure you cut the crust off your sandwiches and stick your pinky out when lifting the teacup.

[FJR-UK]

Room to pass and still stay on the legal side of the double yellow? Go for it. It's fairly common for cars to keep left for bikes to pass, especially when they're queued behind a slow moving vehicle. In Lincolnshire they have "Think Bikes" signs along the roadside as a reminder.

Have a look at the driver, though, and make sure they're moving out of your way and not just reading a text message.  

[Ant]

So...I noticed when riding on a single carriageway with a solid double line, some motorists would scoot over to the edge of the road as if to allow me pass.

Now, if this had been Italy, I woulda zoomed by in the blink of an eye  

This, however, being prim and proper UK, I waited until oncoming traffic had cleared before making a pass. I wasn't sure if I would be breaching some form of lane etiqette if I passed without crossing the double line (ie; both of us in the same lane).

What is the verdict? Pass with a thank you wave?

Yep, just pass them at a steady pace without your engine howling at full revs and all is good. Quite often the movement to the side of the road is accompanied by indicating to the left as though to pull over.
The only time I won't pass even when they're moving over is if there is a big lorry coming the other way or a car that is very close to the centre. It tends to spook cars when they see a motorbike along side a car even though they would be fine if they were actually driving in the proper lane  

[notarian]

Hi Orson,

I agree with Ant completely. Most Brits are biker aware and friendly, give left hand wave as you go buy and they're delighted.

If there's on coming traffic and you decide not to pass, just put your hand up as to say, 'Not just yet'. They get the idea and when the next opportunity comes, they'll move over again.

Yes, its nice, enjoyable and polite for everyone.

Note

[Dr Gil]

Hmm, I not sure about having someone else make my decision on whether or not it's safe to pass for me...no matter where I'm riding.  

I do appreciate them showing that they know I'm there and are trying to help out.  

[Ant]

Hmm, I not sure about having someone else make my decision on whether or not it's safe to pass for me...no matter where I'm riding.  

I do appreciate them showing that they know I'm there and are trying to help out.  

That is the weird thing, they're saying "you can pass me" and some times I'm thinking "Hell no, I don't know what is coming around that corner hogging the centre of the road". But then you feel bad for not taking the opportunity offered by them moving over for you.
As notarian said though, in that situation you just wave at them and leave it be until you're safe and then they usually pull over to the side again.

Sometimes they don't even move over, it is more of a "I know you're there, I've seen you, I don't mind if you make an overtaking manouver very close to me - I won't make any sudden moves, honest!" kind of indication. It is quite nice that they are aware of things going on around them (rare quality these days it seems!) and even nicer that they're happy to let you past.

I think being used to this kind of behaviour here in the UK is one of the reasons why it confuses me so much when I hear about things in the US where cars are actively anti-bike.

[Orson]

I think being used to this kind of behaviour here in the UK is one of the reasons why it confuses me so much when I hear about things in the US where cars are actively anti-bike.

it's not so much an anti-bike sentiment as a feeling of entitlement to their place in line.

they feel as if someone is "cutting in line" rather than in Europe where bikes go to the front of construction queus and no one bats an eyelash.

[FJR-UK]

... they feel as if someone is "cutting in line" rather than in Europe where bikes go to the front of construction queus and no one bats an eyelash.

I figure there are so many disadvantages to riding a motorcycle, that if you can't realise the advantages you might as well drive a car. That's why I could never understand the attraction of sidecars.

[FJR-UK]

it's not so much an anti-bike sentiment as a feeling of entitlement to their place in line.

I can understand this and take note when situations arise. For instance, when I go through customs, I would never consider jumping the queue. I'd be holding someone else up. But, running to the front of a queue at a set of lights is different. The lights change, you're away and you haven't cost anyone any time.

As they say in basketball, "no harm, no foul."

[tenbears]

Bikes are perfectly within their right to overtake on doubles provided the line isn't crossed, although there are certain situations where it's legally allowable to do so: passing a slow moving wide load, for instance.

If someone moves over to allow a pass where otherwise it'd force me wide, or to queue, I'd always raise a glove. On a recent ride back through West Sussex a fully marked traffic T5 did this so naturally he too received thanks. At the time I was behind another bike and wondered whether he'd make the pass  [some people still think its illegal and baulk at the idea of overtaking on solids].

I'd wave a gesture of thanks to anyone who gave a bit more room... including filtering on m/ways, but when they make sudden swerves, as if to indicate 'Christ! Didn't see you coming up the side there – I'd better swerve violently to the side', they're generally ignored.

... but then I wave at cars/vans towing trailers carrying bikes, or any car with an MC related bumper/window sticker on it.  

[Baron Samedi]

today, I was riding behind a car doing 50 and was looking for a chance to pass. Bike came up behind me. as I moved to the left to set myself up for a right hander,, bike completely misread me and thought I was letting him pass. He did wave a thank you, though, just before overtaking car by crossing double white lines and barely missing another car coming the opposite way from around the blind bend.

I still think cars are out to kill us all, though.

[Orson]

Not wanting to start another thread...

re: traffic cameras.

In the states, law enforcement agencies communicate your infraction to other states, is this the same in Europe?

Will, my Italian plated bike get an invoice in the mail if i set off a traffic camera in the UK? What about Italian plates in France? ( I set off 2 or 3 on my last trip)  

[Capirex]

Hmm, I not sure about having someone else make my decision on whether or not it's safe to pass for me...no matter where I'm riding.  

With.

I almost learned that lesson the hard way in Arkansas last year when I was waved through by a car nearly head on into a pickup.  I think it startled my riding mates more than me as it wasn't really as close as it may have seemed.

Back on topic and in response to Orson's second question; I don't think there is any kind of reciprocity of traffic violations in Europe like we have here in the states but I do remember hearing that the EU is considering it.

[basco]

So...I noticed when riding on a single carriageway with a solid double line, some motorists would scoot over to the edge of the road as if to allow me pass.

Now, if this had been Italy, I woulda zoomed by in the blink of an eye  

This, however, being prim and proper UK, I waited until oncoming traffic had cleared before making a pass. I wasn't sure if I would be breaching some form of lane etiqette if I passed without crossing the double line (ie; both of us in the same lane).

What is the verdict? Pass with a thank you wave?

  Depends where you are. Is this Wales or over the Severn? In Wales I'd say go for it but that might be a different story on the other side.

[Púca]

Not wanting to start another thread...

re: traffic cameras.

In the states, law enforcement agencies communicate your infraction to other states, is this the same in Europe?

Will, my Italian plated bike get an invoice in the mail if i set off a traffic camera in the UK? What about Italian plates in France? ( I set off 2 or 3 on my last trip)  

To answer your question, Orson, I think that legislation is in the works.  Some EU countries are already doing it via bi-lateral agreements - can't remember which ones, though.  Hope you don't find out he hard way  

When are you coming to Ireland, btw?  I always look forward to your reports and would happily buy you a pint or two.

[Orson]

When are you coming to Ireland, btw?  I always look forward to your reports and would happily buy you a pint or two.

Thanks for the offer!  

Ireland and Greece are the last outposts of western Europe that I've yet to see.

It's a toss up  

[tenbears]

Back on topic and in response to Orson's second question; I don't think there is any kind of reciprocity of traffic violations in Europe like we have here in the states but I do remember hearing that the EU is considering it.

Yeah, I think that's the current situation although I know a group of riders from Fast Bikes magazine were done at Horseferry Rd Magistrates back in the 90s for offences committed while in France.... and a few years ago I had an on the spot fine in Germany [Black Forest – unmarked loonie Audi A6], paid it there & then... and later received a letter requesting additional amounts ! [Didn't pay it btw & never heard a thing].

A cautionary note for riding in the States: any undealt with [unpaid] infractions – even for crossing a solid line – will go on your record for life. If you intend on returning to the States make sure you deal with them ... they wont let you back in otherwise, ever.

[Against The Wind]

Ireland and Greece are the last outposts of western Europe that I've yet to see.

Piss off.  

[kickapoojim]

As they say in basketball, "no harm, no foul."

Or, in street basketball, "no blood, no foul."