Interesting (maybe) pub conversation

fenix wrote:

Depends on the situation. Going down the side of a big lorry that will have blind spots with a possible left turn ahead - could be fatal. No left turns - less risk.

I wonder if we could do that, here in the UK? Ban left turns completely for all motor vehicles in the interests of road safety (since they've admitted that they can't see properly to be able to do so). I mean: if it saves just one life, right?

Stratman wrote:

I too tend to avoid filtering on the left and try to pass on the right where I can.

Like Sergius, I get irritated by drivers not leaving a gap, especially when they are behind a right turner, and pull over to the left - which makes no difference to them, but blocks the road for anyone in a bike.

The reason they do it is because they don't realise the road isn't wide enough for them to move forward until the other car has turned. I didn't realise some people don't have the perception/sense of the width of their vehicle until I guy I worked with made a strange comment about using the central white line to keep his vehicle in the right place!

Then again some people are just stupid. There are roads near me with advanced stop lines and cars enter them at red lights near the central white line to turn right. They don't realise that buses turn left into those roads and the bus drivers, due to it being not a rare occurrence, now act as they are going to crash into the car. I've only seen a cyclist put themselves in the way on one of them once and he was able to move instantly unlike the car drivers.

sergius wrote:

For me, it depends what sort of vehicle it is.

 

I won't filter past a lorry/bus on the left - it's not a question of right/wrong - it's just dangerous.

 

For cars though, I'll filter past them any damn way I please. 

I'd also go as far as making it an offense to not leave room on the left for bikes to filter (how many times have I had prats overtake, only to stop 20 seconds later leaving no room for me to pass on the inside).  Hell I'd also ban SUVs and all those other vehicles which are needlessly wide.  Shame I'm not in charge eh?

I purposely don't leave room on the left for cyclists to filter down if I'm at a junction with a left turn and driving.

Sorry but I don't want to see a student or someone in their twenties squashed by the vehicle in front of me that is indicating left because that driver didn't look left before turning.

Then again I don't put myself in that position on a bike and I have no problem telling drivers to foxtrot oscar if they are upset because I've taken the lane at a junction rather than risk getting squashed on the poorly designed cycle path.

If I'm not at a junction I don't care which way bikes filter. In fact I get pissed of by bikes that don't use their advantage and filter but I've noticed it is normally moped riders who have an issue doing it.

Oh and modern cars are wider than old ones due to safety features that include things like pedestrian protection zones so even the modern mini doesn't fit into most old garages.