Passing or Not Passing Cyclists

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live right off Beach and Knowles near Kensington and drive this road 4 days a week. More often than not, I’ll come up to a cyclist from behind. I don’t pass them for 4 very good reasons

1) it’s unlawful to cross the double yellow center line to pass someone, and I would have to cross the line to maintain the 36” separation from a cyclist required by law.

2) sight lines on this curvy road are terrible. Even if I wanted to pass, there’s few places where it’s safe.


3) I’m content to drive slow behind the cyclist and let traffic pile up behind me because it gets everyone caught in the jam angry at cyclists - and I like that.

4) it stresses the cyclist out because there’s a car 2 seconds behind them (the lawful following distance) and they can’t enjoy their ride because they’re constantly having to be alert for when this car might try to pass them. So it annoys them. Which I also like.

You are not mentally well

Actually PP wrote out all the reasons why I too don't usually pass cyclists on Beach Drive.
And I'm very much a proponent of cyclist safety! My husband and son use their bikes regularly. It's very dangerous to be a cyclist in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I frequently commute on Beach Drive which is a bike path. It is a 2 lane road, speed limit 25 mph with many curves. I drive the speed limit. Frequently, I will be behind a cyclist, trying to give ample room even if driving slowly. And frequently, they will signal for them to pass me - but I often don't want to. Because of the shape of the road, it can be difficult to judge oncoming traffic. They are in front of me, so can see more, but I still would need to speed up and safely pass them. Is there a polite way to say thanks, but no thanks? I know they are annoyed, but isn't this part of sharing the road?

Actually, Beach Drive is a road for cars, with a bike path right next to it but cyclists don’t seem to get that

I run on that path and it's for walkers and pedestrians. There is no room and it's unsafe for a biker to be going fast on the path. They should use the road. Beach is not meant to be a commuter street. If OP doesn't want to pass, then they can take the Pike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked for years as a bike and pedestrian planner and advocate. If the cyclist is on the shoulder and you deem it to be safe (can see opposite direction traffic) give them a wide birth and pass. If not, wait until you can safely pass. If the cyclist is taking the lane (which is legal) and behaving as traffic, don’t pass.

There is no shoulder. The road is just wide enough for two cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live right off Beach and Knowles near Kensington and drive this road 4 days a week. More often than not, I’ll come up to a cyclist from behind. I don’t pass them for 4 very good reasons

1) it’s unlawful to cross the double yellow center line to pass someone, and I would have to cross the line to maintain the 36” separation from a cyclist required by law.

2) sight lines on this curvy road are terrible. Even if I wanted to pass, there’s few places where it’s safe.


3) I’m content to drive slow behind the cyclist and let traffic pile up behind me because it gets everyone caught in the jam angry at cyclists - and I like that.

4) it stresses the cyclist out because there’s a car 2 seconds behind them (the lawful following distance) and they can’t enjoy their ride because they’re constantly having to be alert for when this car might try to pass them. So it annoys them. Which I also like.

Completely agree with you, it's just not a road meant to pass bikes. The Trail is not wide enough for bikes. Cars who are commuting should use commuter roads like 355 or Knowles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I frequently commute on Beach Drive which is a bike path. It is a 2 lane road, speed limit 25 mph with many curves. I drive the speed limit. Frequently, I will be behind a cyclist, trying to give ample room even if driving slowly. And frequently, they will signal for them to pass me - but I often don't want to. Because of the shape of the road, it can be difficult to judge oncoming traffic. They are in front of me, so can see more, but I still would need to speed up and safely pass them. Is there a polite way to say thanks, but no thanks? I know they are annoyed, but isn't this part of sharing the road?

You need lessons on driving obviously. Your nervousness could get you in an accident due to hesitation or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I frequently commute on Beach Drive which is a bike path. It is a 2 lane road, speed limit 25 mph with many curves. I drive the speed limit. Frequently, I will be behind a cyclist, trying to give ample room even if driving slowly. And frequently, they will signal for them to pass me - but I often don't want to. Because of the shape of the road, it can be difficult to judge oncoming traffic. They are in front of me, so can see more, but I still would need to speed up and safely pass them. Is there a polite way to say thanks, but no thanks? I know they are annoyed, but isn't this part of sharing the road?

Actually, Beach Drive is a road for cars, with a bike path right next to it but cyclists don’t seem to get that

I run on that path and it's for walkers and pedestrians. There is no room and it's unsafe for a biker to be going fast on the path. They should use the road. Beach is not meant to be a commuter street. If OP doesn't want to pass, then they can take the Pike.

You are saying the paved bike path in Rock Creek can’t be used by bikes? That’s a new one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I frequently commute on Beach Drive which is a bike path. It is a 2 lane road, speed limit 25 mph with many curves. I drive the speed limit. Frequently, I will be behind a cyclist, trying to give ample room even if driving slowly. And frequently, they will signal for them to pass me - but I often don't want to. Because of the shape of the road, it can be difficult to judge oncoming traffic. They are in front of me, so can see more, but I still would need to speed up and safely pass them. Is there a polite way to say thanks, but no thanks? I know they are annoyed, but isn't this part of sharing the road?

Actually, Beach Drive is a road for cars, with a bike path right next to it but cyclists don’t seem to get that

I run on that path and it's for walkers and pedestrians. There is no room and it's unsafe for a biker to be going fast on the path. They should use the road. Beach is not meant to be a commuter street. If OP doesn't want to pass, then they can take the Pike.

You are saying the paved bike path in Rock Creek can’t be used by bikes? That’s a new one.

As someone who uses that paved path at least twice a day walking dogs (and rides a bike on occasion) I can assure you that path isn’t usable by bikes of the type typically ridden on Beach Drive.

The path is about 7-8 feet wide in most sections, and it IS paved, but it’s lumpy and bumpy, not smooth like a road surface. Also, most of it is heavily shaded by trees, and a very thin film of moss grows on the pavement in many places, and when wet with morning dew or damp from rain or humid weather, it’s every bit as slippery as ice when it comes to bicycle tires, especially the very thin tires that go-fast road bikes have. Mountain bikes, with more contact patch from their larger tires, do better, but only if they keep their speeds down. Bottom line, the trail should be regarded as a foot path primarily, with use by bikes only if they go slowly to avoid slipping and crashing, and avoid the typically dozens of walkers per mile.

As a dog walker, I’d prefer the MAMILs (middle aged men in Lycra-Spandex) stay on Beach because who wants one of them wizzing by you 2 feet away at 20 mph when you’re trying to bag dog poop? And as for the MAMILs, I’m sure they’d like to go more than 50 yards at-speed without skidding and crashing. Not too mention how bumpy the trail is.


So yes, bottom line, the trail is unsuitable for riding higher speed roadbikes of the sort that avid cyclists typically ride.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live right off Beach and Knowles near Kensington and drive this road 4 days a week. More often than not, I’ll come up to a cyclist from behind. I don’t pass them for 4 very good reasons

1) it’s unlawful to cross the double yellow center line to pass someone, and I would have to cross the line to maintain the 36” separation from a cyclist required by law.

2) sight lines on this curvy road are terrible. Even if I wanted to pass, there’s few places where it’s safe.


3) I’m content to drive slow behind the cyclist and let traffic pile up behind me because it gets everyone caught in the jam angry at cyclists - and I like that.

4) it stresses the cyclist out because there’s a car 2 seconds behind them (the lawful following distance) and they can’t enjoy their ride because they’re constantly having to be alert for when this car might try to pass them. So it annoys them. Which I also like.

Completely agree with you, it's just not a road meant to pass bikes. The Trail is not wide enough for bikes. Cars who are commuting should use commuter roads like 355 or Knowles.

And I get a lot of enjoyment following 2 seconds behind a cyclist, per the letter of the law (which works out to about 20-22 feet depending on speed) and harshing their buzz because I’m continuously back there, forcing them to maintain their pace and be on constant alert for whatever I might do next. I’ve even had other cyclists who wanted to ride ride faster forced to wait behind me as I followed a slower cyclist in front - because they couldn’t safely pass me (or legally, for that matter - but when has legal ever stopped a cyclist?). It’s pretty funny too. They keep looking back over their shoulder every few seconds, wondering why you’re not passing (not legal, thank you) or they’ll wave for you to pass them (sorry, not legal, my friend) and you just stay back there and it annoys TF out of them.

I dislike cyclists, even though I ride a bike myself sometimes. But I stick to the neighborhood streets or bike paths rather than ride of “real” roads like Beach Drive. So when I come upon a cyclist on Beach, I simply comply with the law, and it makes them crazy.


These riders could avoid this if they’d simply ride at the posted speed limit, which would be 25 mph on Beach - but most can’t. They plod along about 18-20 mph most of the time, if it’s a flat section. If they rode faster, I’d have to increase my following distance!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the road is that dangerous that you don’t feel comfortable passing them, people shouldn’t be cycling on it. Pure entitlement and selfishness.

They can move over so you can pass. Also, if the road is so dangerous you probably shouldn’t be driving that much faster than they’re going, anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live right off Beach and Knowles near Kensington and drive this road 4 days a week. More often than not, I’ll come up to a cyclist from behind. I don’t pass them for 4 very good reasons

1) it’s unlawful to cross the double yellow center line to pass someone, and I would have to cross the line to maintain the 36” separation from a cyclist required by law.

2) sight lines on this curvy road are terrible. Even if I wanted to pass, there’s few places where it’s safe.


3) I’m content to drive slow behind the cyclist and let traffic pile up behind me because it gets everyone caught in the jam angry at cyclists - and I like that.

4) it stresses the cyclist out because there’s a car 2 seconds behind them (the lawful following distance) and they can’t enjoy their ride because they’re constantly having to be alert for when this car might try to pass them. So it annoys them. Which I also like.

Why can’t you just pass them within 3 feet? If I were the cyclist, I’d rather have you drive by me at only 2 feet away than just lurk behind me. No one is going to give you a ticket for it.

[Anonymous]

I don't pass cyclists unless I have plenty of room. IMO that's your call as the driver and the cyclist can wave all they want.

As a driver, sharing the road with cyclists is a huge PITA but I understand they have a right to be there and I'm going to do it however I need to to be really confident I won't hurt them. There's no obligation to pass quickly if you feel it's unsafe. I'm constantly shocked by how closely people pass cyclists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live right off Beach and Knowles near Kensington and drive this road 4 days a week. More often than not, I’ll come up to a cyclist from behind. I don’t pass them for 4 very good reasons

1) it’s unlawful to cross the double yellow center line to pass someone, and I would have to cross the line to maintain the 36” separation from a cyclist required by law.

2) sight lines on this curvy road are terrible. Even if I wanted to pass, there’s few places where it’s safe.


3) I’m content to drive slow behind the cyclist and let traffic pile up behind me because it gets everyone caught in the jam angry at cyclists - and I like that.

4) it stresses the cyclist out because there’s a car 2 seconds behind them (the lawful following distance) and they can’t enjoy their ride because they’re constantly having to be alert for when this car might try to pass them. So it annoys them. Which I also like.

Completely agree with you, it's just not a road meant to pass bikes. The Trail is not wide enough for bikes. Cars who are commuting should use commuter roads like 355 or Knowles.

And I get a lot of enjoyment following 2 seconds behind a cyclist, per the letter of the law (which works out to about 20-22 feet depending on speed) and harshing their buzz because I’m continuously back there, forcing them to maintain their pace and be on constant alert for whatever I might do next. I’ve even had other cyclists who wanted to ride ride faster forced to wait behind me as I followed a slower cyclist in front - because they couldn’t safely pass me (or legally, for that matter - but when has legal ever stopped a cyclist?). It’s pretty funny too. They keep looking back over their shoulder every few seconds, wondering why you’re not passing (not legal, thank you) or they’ll wave for you to pass them (sorry, not legal, my friend) and you just stay back there and it annoys TF out of them.

I dislike cyclists, even though I ride a bike myself sometimes. But I stick to the neighborhood streets or bike paths rather than ride of “real” roads like Beach Drive. So when I come upon a cyclist on Beach, I simply comply with the law, and it makes them crazy.


These riders could avoid this if they’d simply ride at the posted speed limit, which would be 25 mph on Beach - but most can’t. They plod along about 18-20 mph most of the time, if it’s a flat section. If they rode faster, I’d have to increase my following distance!

They can legally pass you. Lane-splitting is legal, and the cyclist isn’t responsible for maintaining a set distance from the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing a bike on Beach Drive is not hard and encountering bikes happens constantly.

If you don’t feel comfortable passing them, you probably shouldn’t be driving there. You are simply holding up all of the other drivers who are comfortable.

It's not always hard and I will pass when I am able (this happens often). The problem is when I feel a cyclist is mad at me for not passing - wouldn't that energy be better spent moving forward?

Why do you think they are "mad" at you? Why do you care? I think this is a you issue not a them issue. I live off of Beach drive and never have issues passing cyclists. I also have never had an "enraged" cyclist confront me. I think you are creating an issue out of nothing.

[Anonymous]

Cyclists and cars are used to sharing Beach Dr. Just be mindful of each other. The only cyclists I give a side eye to are the "pelotons" riding down Beach drive . Annoying AF.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't matter if the cyclist is motioning for you to pass -- they can't make that judgment call for you. If you don't think it is safe, don't pass.