Riding in the gutter for learner: Is it acceptable

madcat2k1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Karma :

Being intimidated by other road users, keeping to the left. Valid strategy for learners or just unacceptable road position? I mean those car drivers tend to shout insults out the window, slam their horns, get too close if they can't get their own way, and they really make learners feel like crap usually (as if the learner is not supposed to be on the road in the first place).

Should learners who ride at the side jsut say F it and go right in the middle of the lane?

Stelmer · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Karma :

john04 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Karma :

I'd definitely say stick to the middle, as thats what your going to have to do on your test. May as well get into the right habits early on.

Plus staying over to the left can encourage some drivers to overtake when it isnt always safe and in turn squeeze you even more.

I know how you feel as i'm learning at the moment to. Just stick to your guns Smile

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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Stick to the middle of your lane but make sure you get up to the speed limit quickly.

AsPHy · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Karma :

When I was learning, my instructor encouraged me to stay in the middle of the lane, you've got as much right to be there as anyone else. If someone is sticking to the left a lot,people generally think they're inexperienced and are lacking a certain level of confidence.
I find sticking to the middle of the lane gives you good visibility, and deters idiots from trying to overtake unsafely or laneshare.
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Whosthedaddy · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Karma :

madcat2k1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Karma :

Thanks all for the advice. Appreciate it.

Btw Whosthedaddy, that's an awesome pic. I bet you get a lot of stares on the road with that thing Very Happy

Whosthedaddy · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Karma :

Hell yeah

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Tommy · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

I hate seeing new riders sticking to the gutter and being eaten alive by all the other traffic. Try to avoid putting yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable, if you're a novice, but always ride in the middle of the lane. You hold a licence, you pay your road tax, you have as much right to use the road as any other car driver, infinitely moreso than any of the increasing number of uninsured, unlicenced drivers out there. Don't let car drivers bully you.

Far as I'm concerned, any driver caught bullying a new biker should be given CBT, a CG125 and sent out to ride round and round the Hanger Lane Gyratory on a Friday evening - then see how much they like picking on the little guy.

krebsy · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Marci · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Karma :

Avoid the gutters imo - too much crap gathers there - more chance of you binning it... also gives you poor view of the road ahead... get in the middle of the lane and hold your position. If someone wants to pass you they can do so when it's safe to do so.
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Stiffler · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Karma :

As a cyclist I've alot of experiance of riding in the gutter... It's not a safe place to be!

Even as a relitively slow moving (compared to traffic) cyclist I move into the middle of the lane at times. It's a defensive position and it actually keeps you safer. On narrow roads or places with traffic islands it's extreemly dangerous to leave a potential gap for some moron of a driver in-a-rush to try and squeeze past you... You can end up pushed right up against the curb or even worse squashed against railings. As a learner motorcyclist you should easily be able to maintain a central position in the road.

From a gutter position you're easily hidden by overtaking traffic and are at greater risk eg: from oncoming traffic wishing to turn right or pedestrians.

You have to quickly learn to ignore the opinions of other drivers! At the next jam you're gonna sail right past them anyway and all their rushing will have been for nothing.
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ncrn · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2006 Karma :

On my cbt at first I was riding in the gutter, because I rode a bicycle for years before hand I kinda did it out of habit. Riding there was very bumpy, I had a couple of close calls with the kerb, and so I moved out a bit and didn't have nearly as many problems.

I'm still on L plates, and I don't let drivers bully me, I tend towards the middle, slightly on the right of my lane, and I go as fast or as slow as I want, no matter how much the guy behind me wants to sit right on my tail.

In the end if they are going to pass you they are going to pass you, you can't stop them really, so just let them but don't give them an easy time. Force them to wait till its clear for them to pass.
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st3v3 · Super Spammer Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Westie · L Plate Warrior Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Karma :

You've got L plates on - means your learning.

Everyone has to learn. Even car drivers.

Don't let them bully you! Evil or Very Mad

As someone said - you've got a licience, you pay tax and Insurance - stuff 'em!

But, on a national - do let them overtake you if they want, otherwise that will annoy them

stu19631 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Karma :

no dont ride in the gutter stay at lest 2 foot from it most roads are designed to wash all the crap off road into gutters so you will find you get a lot of punctures

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

i road in the gutter for years as a cyclist.

Its the best place to be if you plan to stick to the speed limit or below.

These days, on motorbikes i tend to ride centre right of my lane, but will ride in the gutter for a bit if i think someone wants to overtake me, until they overtake.
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map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

madcat2k1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Karma :

I've learnt a lot from everyones answers in this thread. I'm glad I started it because the biggest thing I've learnt is:

"Don't sacrifice road position for safety".

If people didn't point this out I would have been riding in the gutter Smile

Dalemac · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Karma :

Yeah, safest place should be the centre of the road, but take situations into acount to change road position e.g behind large vehicles, long corners etc.
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eifion · Nova Slayer Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Karma :

I tend to ride to the right of the centre of my lane, sort of following car's right hand tyre tracks. That section tends to be swept clean by the cars, and you can avoid the debris and mud that tends to acculumate in the middle of the lane out here in deepest rural Oxfordshire.

Even my modest learner bike keeps up with traffic on NSLs, OK 50mph - 60mph does take a while, but it gets up to 45mph - 50mph easily as fast as about 80% of the cars out there, so you're not causing anyone a major hold up.
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snapperslappe... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Karma :

have a look at this.........

https://www.survivalskills.clara.net/rskills.htm

i remember reading somewere that you should divide your lane into three sub lanes, stick to lane 2 (central) when no hazards are about, and move into the adjacent lanes when hazards arrive on one side or the other.........of course, if there are hazards on both sides, you stay in lane 2...........

position for view.......the saftey mantra

cheers

madcat2k1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Karma :

Very nice site. Thanks! Going to spend a while going through all that...ooohhh lots of stuff!!