Having recently studied for the Irish Driving Theory test, I was impressed by how most of the material was devoted to dealing with cyclists. In fact, next to vehicles, cyclists were probably the most frequently mentioned "other" in the questions regarding other road users, outnumbering mentions of motorbikes, people, and horses. Every possible scenario involving an face with a cyclist was covered: from how to read hand signals and what sort of moves to anticipate, to how to overtake a cyclist and how to handle it when passing is unsafe ("be patient and wait; do not appear horn").
In theory, anyone who manages to the test should be well equipped to share the road with cyclists. In practice... well, you understand yourself.
In theory, anyone who manages to the test should be well equipped to share the road with cyclists. In practice... well, you understand yourself.
Does the information change over time, I ponder? I certainly notice again and again that the motorists who overtake myself with the most attention and give me the most space tend to be younger drivers, often sporting learner decals. Also a car replete with the sort of uproarious teenage boys whose look suggests trouble is very likely to quiet down, then stop drastically and give me personally a wide berth, before proceeding with the merriment once they overtake. In comparison, the drivers who usually complete inches from my arm without reducing speed have a tendency to be older, "respectable looking" motorists.
Perhaps the learning does fade over time. Perhaps beginners are more careful. Or maybe this is something that's only been added to driver's ed curricula more lately. I actually do not remember any cyclist-specific content in the Theory Test I required in the US twenty years ago, and I question whether that's changed now.
Regardless of the the reason is, my impression which a good portion of motorists today mean well, but truly are not aware of the rules when encountering a cyclist. Which in turn, in Ireland, is especially odd considering how much attention is given to the issue at the driver's education phase.
A single time, I met in the town the actual group of boys who experienced passed me on the road earlier. We were holding now loitering beside a seafood and chip shop, chatting loudly, spitting on the pavement. When I acknowledged they stopped spitting and said hello and complimented my bike. In change I complimented their ruling skills.
"Oh aye, that is how we're taught to do it. inches
That they might spend their night times "diffing" recklessly. But they understand how to pass a bicyclist. As, in theory, should everyone who holds a valid driver's license.
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