Passing on Blind Curves

I bicycled from the west side to the cove and back today, to do some shopping. On at least four occasions I was passed by cars and trucks on blind curves or hills, where the drivers were simply trusting that there were no vehicles coming the other way around the curve or over the hill. On one of these occasions, there was a whole series of cars coming the other way, and I was forced off the road to allow the reckless driver to quickly cut back into the right lane.

There seems to be a misconception among some drivers that:
(a) the road is wide enough for a car to safely pass a bicycle without needing to leave their lane (it isn't),
(b) bicycles go so slowly that waiting until it is safe to pass would take an intolerable amount of time (it wouldn't)
(c) bicycles go so slowly that you can pass safely and get back into your lane in a couple of seconds (you can't)

I hate to whine about this, but someone could get seriously hurt as a result of reckless passing. It probably won't be me (I can likely get out of the way in an emergency). I don't want it to be you.

Please don't pass any vehicle on blind curves or hills. In just a few seconds you'll be on a (relatively -- this is Bowen) straight flat section again and be able to see if there are vehicles coming the other way, and pass safely. Thanks!

I get passed like this all the time when I ride my electric scooter. Believe me, if there is a safe place for me to pull over so someone doesn't have to wait the extra few seconds as I make my way up hills, I will.

I've been driving these roads for 5 decades and never had anyone pass me until this week. Not 1 but 2 cars passed me on Grafton road between the Fire Hall and the building center. Both cars were going at least 60 K's. I honked at them but neither slowed down. Too fast to even get a license plate #.

Sorry to see this selfish attitude coming to our fair isle.

Since moving here I've generally noticed that drivers here give a lot more width when overtaking me when I'm cycling (sometimes a lot more than I need!) and will wait behind me until they can safely pass on most occasions. After cycling in the UK and London in particular, this has been a very pleasant surprise!

However, over the last week or so I have had a few vehicles roar past me, far too close for the speed they were going and too fast for me to grab a licence number after I'd steadied myself. I have also had one vehicle overtake wide on a bend and have to pull in quickly and without warning.

The most thoughtless driver, however, overtook me without enough width given, only to brake & pull in within seconds forcing me to have to check myself and pull around him. He seemed unaware of me as I passed and then passed me again (too close and fast again) in less than 20 seconds.

I hope this is just a temporary thing caused by the weather (or maybe visitors) as I have generally been very impressed with the driving on Bowen.

Maybe we need a double line leading into curves? The driving has been crazy all week.

We need shoulders. Bowen could be a lot more bike (regular, electric, scooter) friendly if there were shoulders. And it would greatly reduce carbon emissions.

Welcome back to the Island Cindi!

Bike riders have every right to be on the roads and as such should follow the advise and take full possession of their lane by NOT rising as far to the right as so many do. This means the following vehicles are nor tempted to pass with inadequate room in the left side of the road.

Richard

^{Primitive societies are always more complex than civilized ones - Robert Heinlein}

Yes Richard, every right indeed in theory and maybe even in the law, but certainly not in reality.

We need enforcement. :)

Curves, blind or otherwise, should be lingered over, savoured and gently caressed.

Richard, from my years of riding a bike through London at all times of the day, especially the rush hour (which is more like 2) I have long been a follower of the 'own the road' theory in certain situations. When approaching sections where I think that traffic will have to be too close if they were to try and overtake, I will move to the centre of the lane and make it impossible for them to do so until I move over when the lane is wider.
If I were to claim the centre on a stretch of wider road where drivers should be able to overtake safely when I am a metre or so from the right edge, I'm sure that I'd soon become the target of similar levels of abuse more akin to those I found from impatient London drivers.....

I'd like some respect and thought from drivers but I don't want to be antagonistic. Well, at least not until after I've been cut up/sworn at, etc!

Some enforcement from the RCMP would help on this and other driving issues that are potentially lethal. I would especially like to know what I am to do when I see a driver with their cell phone to their ear, chatting away? It would be nice to have an island convention on this to discourage this dangerous practice. Could we have an agreed system of short blasts on the horn??? Seriously, I wonder what the RCMP would advise in this situation.. I see it often enough to be concerned. Susanna