Driver psychology... desperate need to pass a cyclist

Triathlon Forum
1

… even when they are going well over the speed limit…

Happened yesterday on a fast 1 mile descent that averages around 8%. The speed limit is 45, and I regularly hit 55. I always stay on the shoulder at the top and wait for a break in traffic If necessary), then let er rip and take the middle of the lane.

About 2/3 of the way down, a truck blows by going about 75, well across the double yellow (so as not to run over me). While still in wtf?! mode, another blows by the same way.

Granted I’ve done this descent and many others locally and never had this happen before… but when I lived in CA (where drivers tend to be more tweaked) it was more common. Seems like… it would be no big deal if a car was in front of them… but a bicycle is definitely in their way!… regardless of the speed limit or how fast you are going.

2

… even when they are going well over the speed limit…

Happened yesterday on a fast 1 mile descent that averages around 8%. The speed limit is 45, and I regularly hit 55. I always stay on the shoulder at the top and wait for a break in traffic If necessary), then let er rip and take the middle of the lane.

About 2/3 of the way down, a truck blows by going about 75, well across the double yellow (so as not to run over me). While still in wtf?! mode, another blows by the same way.

Granted I’ve done this descent and many others locally and never had this happen before… but when I lived in CA (where drivers tend to be more tweaked) it was more common. Seems like… it would be no big deal if a car was in front of them… but a bicycle is definitely in their way!… regardless of the speed limit or how fast you are going.

I hate to drive behind a cyclist. I want to make sure there is plenty of room in case they swerve or go down, so I am more likely to just pass them or slow down to create lots of room. If the cyclist is going about the speed limit, it is easier to just pass.

3

But do you blow by and cross double yellow lines at high speed and narrowly miss them… when they are going over the speed limit!.. just to be “safe”?

4

I have a 6 mile descent that I can keep up with the posted speed limit. If I’m close to that, I’ll take the lane. At the speed limit I’ll get passed, but people have always been courteous and given plenty of space. Never has anyone slowed down after passing me to the point where I could re-pass…so therefore, I do not believe they passed me because I’m on a bike, but because they were going, and will continue to go faster.

5

Yes, I completely get the appeal of flying down a hill. The wind, the excitement, the rush.

But regardless of what motorists are doing, why are you insisting on regularly hitting 55 for a one mile descent? 55 means that you’re tucking and probably spinning your highest gear, what’s the point? I know when I’m around a reckless driver my first reaction is to get around them and get far away. I’m sure they feel the same way about being around a reckless cyclist.

6

55 means that you’re tucking and probably spinning your highest gear, what’s the point? I know when I’m around a reckless driver my first reaction is to get around them and get far away. I’m sure they feel the same way about being around a reckless cyclist.

I don’t see anything reckless in his description. Nothing reckless in the tuck or the “highest gear” (which he’s definitely not spinning at all at 55MPH) He’s observing all traffic laws, and take the lane as is appropriate.

And the point is, it’s both fun, and a necessary racing skill for pure road cyclists.

7

… even when they are going well over the speed limit…

Happened yesterday on a fast 1 mile descent that averages around 8%. The speed limit is 45, and I regularly hit 55. I always stay on the shoulder at the top and wait for a break in traffic If necessary), then let er rip and take the middle of the lane.

About 2/3 of the way down, a truck blows by going about 75, well across the double yellow (so as not to run over me). While still in wtf?! mode, another blows by the same way.
Granted I’ve done this descent and many others locally and never had this happen before… but when I lived in CA (where drivers tend to be more tweaked) it was more common. Seems like… it would be no big deal if a car was in front of them… but a bicycle is definitely in their way!… regardless of the speed limit or how fast you are going.

There seems to be some sort of race gene that flips “on” the moment most people get behind the wheel whether it involve passing cyclists, a driver going 1 mph slower than them, or an Amish buggy going up a hill in a no passing zone. Everyone is in an all fired rat’s rear end of a hurry to get where they are going even if there is no reason to be in a hurry. I’m never in that much of a hurry to get anywhere and I figure if I am late it’s nobody’s fault but my own and then it isn’t worth hurting someone.

8

I hear you. I think there is some psycological need to pass a cyclist even if it doesn’t save any time at all. Or if the cyclist was a car, there would be no urge to pass that car.

I see it all the time when commuting. For the most part, I’m cruising in a dedicated bike lane or on a MUP. But the times I have to get on the road, I make sure to do my best and keep up with traffic. It never fails though…there are always a few cars that feel the need to change lanes and squeeze in ahead of me (forcing me to hit my brakes or coast) despite me keeping up with traffic. If I was a car, I wouldn’t give them an inch…but once their blinker goes on…what am I going to do on a bike??? Play chicken with them? I’ll lose…so I just give in and shake my head.

9

Yes, I completely get the appeal of flying down a hill. The wind, the excitement, the rush.

But regardless of what motorists are doing, why are you insisting on regularly hitting 55 for a one mile descent? 55 means that you’re tucking and probably spinning your highest gear, what’s the point? I know when I’m around a reckless driver my first reaction is to get around them and get far away. I’m sure they feel the same way about being around a reckless cyclist.

I don’t think he’s spinning out. I think he’s sitting in aero, letting gravity do it’s work, and naturally achieving 55. I also don’t think that he’s an important factor in the equation. Most motorists behave exactly the same way cyclists behave on a hill but with a higher starting speed. They probably started out at the top of the hill doing at or near the speed limit. But, just like the OP, gravity has an effect on the car as well. The car naturally increases speed. And, just like the OP, the drivers are reluctant to put on their brakes when there is no real obstacle. I can easily see how a car already doing 50 mph (speed limit +5) could get into the 70s without any effort.

In this situation, we have 2 people -the OP and the motorist- applying the exact same philosophy in hill descending, except that the OP thinks it’s about getting around the cyclist. I’d bet that if we were to go to that same hill with a radar gun and no cyclist, we’d find similar speeds on the cars. (We have a hill not unlike that near my home and the po-po love to use the base of the hill as a speed trap.)

10

I don’t see anything reckless in his description. Nothing reckless in the tuck or the “highest gear” (which he’s definitely not spinning at all at 55MPH) He’s observing all traffic laws, and take the lane as is appropriate.

I’m pretty sure his second sentence explains that he’s going ten mph over the posted speed limit.

11

In this situation, we have 2 people -the OP and the motorist- applying the exact same philosophy in hill descending, except that the OP thinks it’s about getting around the cyclist.

Hmmm… when I encounter a vehicle “in my way” on this descent, I put on the brakes. I don’t swing out into the opposing lane (illegally) so I don’t have to.

Also note that the driver’s speeds in this instance were far enough over the speed limit to make them eligible for a reckless driving ticket. If they make a habit of driving that fast, then they will surely get one eventually. It’s a double fine area as well.

12

I’m pretty sure his second sentence explains that he’s going ten mph over the posted speed limit.

Indeed I was. If I was only going the speed limit I’d be less surprised that driver might get impatient.

13

You break the law and so do they. Both may cost you your life. I don’t understand the problem.

14

In this situation, we have 2 people -the OP and the motorist- applying the exact same philosophy in hill descending, except that the OP thinks it’s about getting around the cyclist.

Hmmm… when I encounter a vehicle “in my way” on this descent, I put on the brakes. I don’t swing out into the opposing lane (illegally) so I don’t have to.

Also note that the driver’s speeds in this instance were far enough over the speed limit to make them eligible for a reckless driving ticket. If they make a habit of driving that fast, then they will surely get one eventually. It’s a double fine area as well.

I’m saying that people are reluctant to put on their brakes while coasting down a hill. The speed trap near my home is ample evidence of that. That’s it.

Plus, I’m skeptical that you would hit the brakes if, A) the was no approaching traffic (<- important detail), and B) there was someone walking on your shoulder. Or, better yet, a car with it’s blinkers traveling at 5 mph on the shoulder. If you’re anything like me, I’d bet that you’d simply move over into the lane and give the pedestrian/ car more room. Once you passed the obstacle, you’d move back onto the shoulder area. There’s no reason to hit the brakes if, regardless of your speed, you had ample room to give space.

I don’t know about you, but I actually appreciate it when motorists move over into an on-coming lane and give me space on the road. I see it as a sign of mutual respect and I find it much nicer than getting buzzed. I wish more people would drive like that.

15

but a bicycle is definitely in their way!… regardless of the speed limit or how fast you are going.

While commuting to my job (at a high school), I am regularly passed by motorists, in spite of the 20mph speed limit in school zones, as well as the 10mph speed limit on campus. The latter often happens with co-workers, which makes those moments by the copier later in the day all the more awkward.

This type of discussion reminds me of the Disney short parodying Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, involving a Goofy-esque character dubbed “Mr. Wheeler.” I’d look for it, but YouTube is blocked on the campus wifi. Fortunately, Slowtwitch is not. :slight_smile:

16

In this situation, we have 2 people -the OP and the motorist- applying the exact same philosophy in hill descending, except that the OP thinks it’s about getting around the cyclist.

Hmmm… when I encounter a vehicle “in my way” on this descent, I put on the brakes. I don’t swing out into the opposing lane (illegally) so I don’t have to.

Also note that the driver’s speeds in this instance were far enough over the speed limit to make them eligible for a reckless driving ticket. If they make a habit of driving that fast, then they will surely get one eventually. It’s a double fine area as well.

I’m saying that people are reluctant to put on their brakes while coasting down a hill. The speed trap near my home is ample evidence of that. That’s it.

Plus, I’m skeptical that you would hit the brakes if, A) the was no approaching traffic (<- important detail), and B) there was someone walking on your shoulder. Or, better yet, a car with it’s blinkers traveling at 5 mph on the shoulder. If you’re anything like me, I’d bet that you’d simply move over into the lane and give the pedestrian/ car more room. Once you passed the obstacle, you’d move back onto the shoulder area. There’s no reason to hit the brakes if, regardless of your speed, you had ample room to give space.

I don’t know about you, but I actually appreciate it when motorists move over into an on-coming lane and give me space on the road. I see it as a sign of mutual respect and I find it much nicer than getting buzzed. I wish more people would drive like that.

Yup, I prefer it when they give me lots of room when they pass. It doesn’t matter what speed I go, someone is always going faster. The only exception is when traveling by sport motorcycle, there aren’t many vehicles that pass me if I decide to go a bit hard on the sport bike.

And, downhill on my road bike, if I can get a draft I’ll take it. As arrow as I can be and spinning at 150+ rpm.

17

Plus, I’m skeptical that you would hit the brakes if, A) the was no approaching traffic (<- important detail), and B) there was someone walking on your shoulder.

I do this all the time, and quite often cars are “in my way”… and every time I use the brakes and slow down and stay behind them. In a car I do the same thing.

I don’t know about you, but I actually appreciate it when motorists move over into an on-coming lane and give me space on the road.

Does that have anything to do with the scenario I described? I’m going 55 on a descent and I’m in the middle of the road… and they went into the opposing lane in a no passing zone going ~30mph over the limit. They did not give me a lot of room… although I don’t think I could have reached out and touched them.

18

When i’m doing the speed limit I move out and take up the whole lane. Don’t let them even contemplate a pass that they wouldn’t attempt if you were in a car.

edit: Oh, missed the bit about your being in the middle of the lane. Pretty much the same thing. Don’t get me started on trucks, I don’t need the aggravation.

19

I’m pretty sure his second sentence explains that he’s going ten mph over the posted speed limit.

That’s typical traffic speed, at least in CA. I generally wouldn’t consider that reckless.

I’d consider it reckless to “take the lane” in a 45-MPH zone while going 25MPH because that sort of speed differential can be dangerous. Going 55 is, I speculate, putting him dead-on with expected speed of travel.

20

So as not to over analyse this…
It’s cos they are wankers…