CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

PINCH POINTS - the "must overtake" mentality

(10 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by Radgeworks
  • Latest reply from Radgeworks

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  1. Radgeworks
    Member

    Dear All

    ive simply been noting stuff mentally of late, and ive noticed an alarming trend developing over the last couple of years. Which is the following scenario, travelling along road on bike, see pinch point, remember to shoulder check, get overtaken at the narrowest part of the road.Why? because as 9 times out of 10 now, drivers are seemingly entirely unable to wait a few seconds before overtaking at the narrowest/most restricted point of the road, this is true especially if you, the driver and whatever obstacle are the ONLY things on the road, west coates, melville st are my not favourites for this. I just cannot work out why its such an attractive thing to do, and usually at the narrowest or most restricted point of the road. Theories welcome, as i am stumped at the mindset. Radgeworks

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. wingpig
    Member

    Southbound uphill along Willowbrae Road. Eastbound through Newhaven just past the roundabout between Starbank Road/Pier Place. West along Beaufort Road.

    Accustomisation to the perils inherent in propelling large heavy things around at high speeds.
    Reduction of squishier road users to mere moving obstructions through the constant aggrandisation of the Important Driver and the requirement to propel them as swiftly as possible to their Magnificent Destination.
    Under-estimation of bicycle-speed, over-estimation of motor vehicle speed, over-estimation of delay wrought by bicycle. Vast over-estimation of overall time-saving achieved through overtaking bicycle.
    Forgetting that a vehicle extends five or six metres behind the bonnet area; even if the front of the car 'just makes' the gap prior to the moving obstruction reaching it there's still the rest of the car to follow, whilst the obstruction continues to move forwards.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. minus six
    Member

    Theories welcome, as i am stumped at the mindset

    because humanity is the devil

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. DaveC
    Member

    Simple answer? Look ahead, spot the pinch point and take prime. I cycle up to Inverkeithing everyday and I know the 3 pinch points very well. I can pretty much guarantee by the sound of the engine note as the cars approach that they are aiming to overtake. But every time I'm in primary and they end up braking to avoid running into a traffic island. As soon as I am past I pull in and they overtake.
    Someone would have to positively push me off the road to get through the gap I leave. I don't believe anyone would do that at that stretch, A: because they have just come off a motorway and have not interacted with me so have no grudge and B: the result would ne so serious they would think twice about it. No one faced with intentionally and coldly, killing someone will do so (unless they are a psychopath. If that is the case so be it. I bet I have stats of them not being one on my side.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. Kenny
    Member

    Look ahead, spot the pinch point and take prime

    +1

    There's one on Drum Brae Drive and I take primary through every day, then get out of the way efficiently when past it. Never had a problem when doing that so far.

    But the OP is right about it being a general problem.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. cc
    Member

    DaveC's advice is excellent. I'd try to avoid a road like that in the first place, but if I had to ride there I'd do the same - move out to block the pinchpoint until I was safely through it.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. Coxy
    Member

    I alway raise my hand to say thanks if the driver hangs back nicely. Unless the driver speeds past after the pinch point, like a twunk.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. crowriver
    Member

    Easter Road, McDonald Road are two I cycle on regularly where traffic islands, pavement build outs, or both reduce the width of the road such that it is essential to take primary at pinch points.

    Vast majority of drivers seem to be fine with this. Always a few knobs who rev the engine, tailgate, sound the horn, roar past aggressively as soon as you revert to secondary, or even on a couple of occasions, overtake on the wrong side of the traffic island.

    I'm still here.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. sg37409
    Member

    Make eye contact. That little human connection is usually enough for make the motons give you a little space and time.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. Radgeworks
    Member

    aye all very good points as i have come to expect from the CCE gang, cheers, and aye i dinny mind taking primary, or waiting, but the crux of this is what really gets ma goat, its that there are more often than not plenty of safer opportunities to pass me well before the pinch point,
    but for some unknown reason, drivers seem magnetically drawn to passing me just as i draw level with any obstruction narrowing the road, instead of just hanging back, and aye i am still here too, but its just bizarre the regularity this occurs with me. Iwill be taking elements of the comment thread on board too. Regards as always, be safe, The Radgeworks

    Posted 10 years ago #

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