Other commuters riding too close

Question

I have been commuting to work for a few months now, and generally I enjoy it. Unfortunately I've noticed that on the way back (never seems to happen in the morning - I set off quite early) I will often find someone rides much too close behind me, i.e. within half a bicycle length, trying to draft.

I think it is the same person or a small number of people (I ride the same route at the same time every day.)

This person (these people) will ride this close for a couple of miles - there's a fairly long main road with an on-road cycle path. I think riding this close to my back wheel is rude and dangerous because I could need to stop for any reason (car turns without signalling, small child runs into road, mechanical failure).

I'd much rather he kept back or overtook me, but I feel I would catch up and we'd be in the same situation. I'm not going to slow down because somebody is being rude.

For example, I turn off a main road into my village. In one instance I signalled very clearly, well in advance, and after a pause started braking, only to hear the other rider actually skid behind me. That to me indicates that this person is much too close and isn't paying attention enough to do so safely.

1) Is it reasonable to feel that this person is too close and riding dangerously?

2) I'm going to try to say something next time this happens, but I'd much rather concentrate on the road and not look over my shoulder trying to talk to someone who probably can't hear me over traffic. Is there a clear (polite!) signal I can give that will indicate I'd like more space?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Just wave him past, that's what I do. I don't draft and I'm not interested in someone drafting off me. Nor am I particularly interested in being polite to someone who is interfering with my ride or looking around worrying about them.

Waving someone past is a pretty universal hand signal I would think. I use it with cars, cyclists, and anything else.

Answer 2

If it is the same person day after day just talk to them. If it was me then I'd say

"Hi, I've noticed you follow me quite closely most days. I'm sure that you are a pretty good bike handler but I'm quite average. So you are putting yourself at risk by following me so closely. Please could you just not do it? It makes me nervous and uncomfortable. I'm sure you understand, Thanks"

If this doesn't work then next time wait for them to be behind you and then shout "stopping". Stop and let them go by. If they stop and wait for you then just tell them you aren't moving until they go. Keep doing this and they'll get the message. This wastes your time first thing in the morning ( which is not ideal..) but safety is more important than speed, you need to get rid of this nuisance

Answer 3

The term for what the riders behind you are doing is "drafting". It's a common, convenient and easy way to work together and minimize wind resistance. Using the search you can read through many other questions and answers about this technique

One of the questions that turns up in that search looks at your situation from the other side: Is it considered rude to draft other random cyclists? I recommend you take a look at the answers there.

Is it reasonable to feel that this person is too close and riding dangerously?

For a rider who has never ridden in a paceline, or actively worked together with another rider against a heavy head wind, drafting can be very uncomfortable, particularly if some random rider just tucks in behind you.

Is there a clear (polite!) signal I can give that will indicate I'd like more space?

For a riders that have worked together before, there are a lot of non-verbal cues and signals that make drafting easier. Probably most important given your example is to use the "Slowing/Stoping" signal: Left hand down, slightly extended from the body for visibility, fingers and thumb extended, palm to the back. In addition to making the sign, I would say loudly "SLOWING". You should do this anytime your pace is dropping significantly, whether you want the person to pass you, or you want to turn, or you are slowing because of an intersection or obstacle.

At that point you can let the rider pass without comment, let them get a bit ahead of you (only 10 or 15 seconds of slower riding should be enough), and continue on your merry way. If however, after reading the other posts about drafting, you want to try it, I would simply say "Do you want to work together?" If the response is positive, then I would tuck in behind them and ride a minute or so (60-70 pedal revolutions). If they draft a lot they will probably wiggle an elbow or something and pull to the left so you can ride through and they can tuck behind you. If they don't a simple yell of "my turn" should prompt them to let you pull through.

Answer 4

You only have three options: to trust other cyclists behind you, or slow down and let them pass you, or accelerate, when riding with unknown people. It will happen eventually with other riders and I would say that the only choice is to have a bit of trust and actively check before any stopping or turning. Just like you do in a car or motorbike, and signal said turns or stopping. It does not seem practical to talk to everyone on your tail. Have a bit of trust, nobody wants a crash. Just be aware of your environment and avoid abnormal movements. I mean, this is what we do everyday, trust that other people will control their vehicles, and keep attention focused when o the road