Overtaking
On a Ride out many of us will pass dozens of cars on the so it’s easy to become complacent. But are we doing it well?
Q? What are the danger points here
A: There are many. The overtake can appear to be an inherently dangerous this to do. With so much traffic on the road and speed restrictions in place many car drivers just don’t do it very often. Therefore they are not looking out for those who do. Bikers.
Catching the car to be overtaken unawares so that they brake biker is coming up behind then causing them to rear end the car they were intending to sail past.
Getting caught out by the car we are overtaking swerving or manoeuvring to avoid something ahead, in a layby or junction for instance.
Bike overtake with ease so don’t take a risk. There will always be a better opportunity just around the corner.
Q? If a bike can overtake with ease then can’t I just wind on a bit more power
A; No if you have to do that then the overtake was a bad one in the first place. You should never have to rush it. Never feel you need to add a bit more power because there’s a junction or the brow of a hill coming up. The increasing length of the white lines already let you know its coming.
Q? What’s the best overtaking technique
A: I all depends on what you are overtaking and how you closed in on it. Did you for instance come upon a slower vehicle on a straight piece of road that you could see past for the next mile or maybe you have been following the same vehicle through a series of bends for the last mile. Each scenario requires a different technique. The one rule I would stick buy is don’t open the gas until you are on the offside of the overtaken vehicle and sure the road ahead is clear.