I planned to ride 90 miles at BikeMO, MoBikeFed’s annual bicycle ride in mid-Missouri. But a few days before the event, I threw my back out. So instead of riding my bike, I drove the “SAG wagon”. A supported bike ride has roving SAG wagons, people driving around ready to help bicyclists in trouble. I was the designated sweep SAG, so I hung back near the last bicyclists. Rather than follow the last bicyclist, I drove ahead a little, pulled over and waited until the last one passed me, then drove ahead again. I anticipated a boring day, but it was surprisingly interesting watching peoples’ progress. We rolled down the windows and waved and cheered every time we passed bicyclists!
It was a useful experience for me. These sorts of rides are generally on quiet, low traffic, two-lane highways with no shoulders. The low traffic volume makes the roads safe– the hills and lack of shoulders does not. Often I found myself following a string of bicyclists as I waited for the other lane to clear so I could pass (and cheer). Usually the bicyclists all fell into single file and hugged the edge of the road when I did this, although there still wasn’t space to safely pass until the oncoming traffic had cleared.
I have the same impulse to move over when I’m bicycling. Now that I’ve seen the point of view of a driver, I understand more clearly than ever what a bad idea that is!
The only way to safely pass the bicyclists is to change lanes. I can’t change lanes until the oncoming traffic clears. Bicyclists singling up and hugging the edge encourages and tempts me to try to squeeze past them in the same lane. That is not safe! The message the bicyclists are sending is: Go ahead, pass us, we’ll make room. Only they can’t make room, because the lane just isn’t wide enough for the car and the bike.
If the lane is too narrow for a car to pass you going the speed limit without changing lanes, ride in the center of the lane. It doesn’t matter what the speed limit on the road is. Don’t tempt a car or truck to try to squeeze by you. Take up a little more space– and reduce the temptation to pass you– by riding side-by-side. As long as you don’t stray into the oncoming lane, take as much space as you like. You are not inconveniencing anyone, because they can’t and shouldn’t pass you whether you are in the middle of the lane or at the edge of the lane. You are safest if you don’t tempt and encourage them to try to squeeze past you by giving them the perception that they have enough room to pass.
When you are the driver and you approach a bicyclist, change lanes to pass! Thank you!