[Closed] Attention Motorcyclists...

So you could drive past it, and not offer to help, much like this time?

Sounds like people were already helping? I'm sure if the OP had found an injured person on the road he would of stopped!

Thank you, breadcrumb.

Am I the only person who yells "yeah!!!!" whenever a motorbike flies by, and then has the that tune "Danger Zone" from Topgun stuck in my head for ages afterwards?

Had a couple of motorbikes, but am getting less and less impressed with the way some bikers ride. The idea that public roads are not race tracks does seem to be hard for some to grasp.

Also been to watch a bit of the Bolton Ironman today, and saw at least 10 bikers pull up to the marshall and get told that 'No, you can't go that way because the road is closed'.

Like the signs have said for the last week, and all the signs say it's closed for miles around, but you think you're entitled to go that way..

Easy tiger, perhaps you should have eluded to that in the op?

Your post kind of came across as if you were the 'victim' because you didn't want to look at an injured, or worse, rider.

First sign of the sun and the road warriors come out, some are just plain stupid..

You all make me nervous at the best of times, simply because you look so vulnerable on the road.

Please concentrate on your own driving and stop trying to drive/ride for others.

Had a couple of motorbikes, but am getting less and less impressed with the way some bikers ride. The idea that public roads are not race tracks does seem to be hard for some to grasp.

I know what you mean but I find there's less and less like that than there used to be. Indeed today, we drove back along the A32, a popular biking road, and there were loads of bikes about, literally scores of them passed us. I find myself thinking that more of them are too slow than too fast. Saw 2 that didn't even filter to the font of a queue at the lights, for instance.

@tomhoward

A re-read suggests you have a point. [shakes hands][/shakes hands]

Had a couple of motorbikes, but am getting less and less impressed with the way some bikers ride. The idea that public roads are not race tracks does seem to be hard for some to grasp.

I'm sympathetic towards motorcyclists in the sense that I know how much hatred and disregard is directed towards myself as a cyclist. So I try too give the benefit of the doubt. But sometimes it is hard. They make me nervous quite a lot.

I do my best, PeterPoddy. I just can't help but to feel concern for my fellow human beings. Even when they seem to be doing something stupid.

[shakes hands back] no harm done 😉

There are good motorcyclists/there are bad motorcylists.
There are good drivers/there are bad drivers.
There are good cyclists/there are bad cyclists.
There are good forum members/there are bad forum members.
And sometimes shit happens.
Tomhoward the word you wanted is [url= http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allude ]allude[/url], not [url= http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elude ]elude[/url]. 😉

I would guess the rider was going well over 100mph for the deer to have been struck ;O) If he was going 100mph then he might have seen it in time and corrected his speed. If he was going 60mph the deer would still have been sleeping ;O)

Hope the guy is o.k. Shame about the deer.

Even when they seem to be doing something stupid.

Only in your opinion! 100,000 miles plus on bikes and I'm still here, as are most of us.

All I can say is that if you fancy a ride, and you're anywhere in the south of England, I'll gladly take you out for a ride, just so you can see what it's all about* 🙂

Why? Because anyone who's never been on even a middleweight commuter bike or more will have no reference point as to what it's all about and how easy even, say, an overtake is. Something that looks fast and silly from a car can often be achieved with relaxed ease on a bike.

🙂

*Serious offer (Once my leg is fixed) I'm an advanced trained rider with a very suitable bike and a lot of pillion (riding and being one!) experience. I won't scare you.

And may you enjoy countless more miles on your bike, PP.

As for the offer, I may just take you up on it one of these days.

I've just spent the last two hours researching motorbike instruction and possible first bike then some on here and find this 🙂

Don't worry about it,Gravitysucks. Spend a few days after passing the test going up and down Rannoch moor to get the jist of how all british deer react!

Just like in this clip:

firest bike = cb500 or SRX 600 or F650 (although the dynamics of the rotax is a bit weird) End of your search 😉

Was looking mainly at CBR600F or SV650's mainly because I'm 6'2" and I'm not a daft racer so will keep myself reigned in.

Could say the same about the riders desperately trying to get home on the A13 in East London

firest bike = cb500 or SRX 600 or F650 (although the dynamics of the rotax is a bit weird) End of your search 

what do you mean by dynamics a bit wierd? Slow? Most F650's dont have the rotax single anyway. Only theold ones like mine. Current F650 is a 800cc twin, before that they were 650 twins current G650 has a single but its not made by rotax anymore, same engine though.

Why? Because anyone who's never been on even a middleweight commuter bike or more will have no reference point as to what it's all about and how easy even, say, an overtake is. Something that looks fast and silly from a car can often be achieved with relaxed ease on a bike.

Then there's the 1000cc sportsbike, they really change what you think is possible, even if you're a 'middleweight commuter bike or more' rider! If you've only driven a car then you've no idea, really, no idea. If things go wrong then they do so very quickly, and unfortunately some people pay the ultimate price for the ultimate thrill.

before that they were 650 twins

I think since they've been a twin they've always been 800cc..... Not 100% sure though......
It just a detuned F800 lump.

I'm trying to be helpful an positive then some chump comes up with

If things go wrong then they do so very quickly, and unfortunately some people pay the ultimate price for the ultimate thrill.

I give in. 🙄

Can we please quit with the negative vibes?

And what do you think I'm riding now? A CG125.....? Not going to offer pillion rides on one of those, am I?

**slaps forehead**

I see alot of stupid riding on the A3 / A272 almost everyday .
Stupid undertakes on the A3 when the traffic is moving above 70mph in the outside lane . Crossing double white lines to overtake , leaning over onto the oncoming carriageway to 'apex' a corner .
All dumb .
Is it any wonder you hear about ' SMIDSY' when the bike is where it really shouldnt be?
I know roadcraft and can tell when a car or bike is using it , but racing like its the IOM TT everywhere will only end in tears.

Why do bikers seem to think speed limits never apply to them? Especially when they are more likely to come off worst should an accident occur.

Like the idiot on the Orange /Red Repsol Honda , who seems to think doing about 80 past my flat ( 30mph limit + junction ) is clever.
nb. cant prove its 80 , but it is max chat in 3rd.

Yes there are safe , quick riders out there and there are also alot of fast , reckless and stupid ones .

and dont get me started on guys on quads with no helmet or glasses

seems as if there are a lot of overweight telly tubbies who dress up as power rangers at the weekend,then at random places they stop at the side of the road,open their tops to show the usual white t shirt,and large overfilled belly.
Thats without even saying anything about theor stupid overtaking manouvres,inability to stay on their side of the road, and sometimes having a token woman hanging on the back of one of them like some sort of human rucksack.

Sooner the revolution comes and they get banned along with tupperware caravans and mobile homes.

Oh and nobodys offered any regret for the poor deer who lost its life, it may have been a mother with baby deer.

Poor deer ...

But who's picking up the fresh venison?

Thing that scares me is the white line hugging on the bends. Had the wingmirror of my T5 scuffed by a weekend warrior last summer. I know what they're doing as I did the same on a Benetton fireblade. Now don't ride as I got the fright of my life standing it on its nose going into a corner at a speed way too fast for my ability. Got home and never rode again.

I don't really see as valid the inference that bad riding was the cause of this. If a deer comes out a deer comes out and many sensibly driven cars hit them every year, a bike is no different.

In my experience a deer is only in your path for a fraction of a second. If you hit it at 40 then you would probably not have at 60 as it would have landed behind you.

A bike ain't a car with crumple zones and is not designed to withstand impacts like striking a few cwt of meat (why should it be?) so the separated front end is indicative of not much at all beyond a frontal impact.

It annoys me when I see motorbikes in queuing in traffic jams. Overtake,that's why you get cold and wet. Passing traffic is your reward.
Then there's bloody quad bikes. You get cold and wet and you have you sit in traffic. Idiots.

I don't really see as valid the inference that bad riding was the cause of this. If a deer comes out a deer comes out and many sensibly driven cars hit them every year, a bike is no different.

I've read it a few times and to be fair the OP doesn't actually suggest this, so yes, agreed.

I see alot of stupid riding on the A3 / A272 almost everyday .

What about the good riding you see there and elsewhere all the rest of the time? What about all the bad DRIVING you see there and elsewhere? No mention of those? Of course not. A point has to be made......

Like the idiot on the Orange /Red Repsol Honda , who seems to think doing about 80 past my flat ( 30mph limit + junction ) is clever.
nb. cant prove its 80 , but it is max chat in 3rd.

Lot of inaccuracy there. If it IS max chat in 3rd, it'll be a shitload more than 80mph for a start. I would imagine it's well in excess off 100, 110mph. So it's probably more like 60% chat that sounds like 100% chat to someone who doesn't know any better.
Also, in the same vein, I doubt it's even close to 80, it probably just sounds like it is.
Yep, this particular fella isn't endearing himself to the neighbours, but I absolutely guarantee you that there's waaaaay more riders come past you that you don't even notice
I could do it, no bother. Probably faster if I wanted to, and you'd not even notice. Standard cans, see? 😉

Also, fancy coming out for a ride sometime? I'm happy to oblige.... 🙂

It annoys me when I see motorbikes in queuing in traffic jams. Overtake,that's why you get cold and wet. Passing traffic is your reward.

Very true. It annoys me to the point where I've actually asked people why they are sitting in the middle of a queue on a bike a couple of times.

What about the good riding you see there and elsewhere all the rest of the time? What about all the bad DRIVING you see there and elsewhere? No mention of those? Of course not. A point has to be made......

Not questioning the good 😕

Not questioning the good

Exactly.
Or mentioning it.

PeterPoddy - Member
Not questioning the good
Exactly.
Or mentioning it.

think you need to read the thread again
Stupid

I'm trying to be helpful an positive then some chump comes up with

If things go wrong then they do so very quickly, and unfortunately some people pay the ultimate price for the ultimate thrill.

I give in.

Good, you won't be missed, chump.

Very true. It annoys me to the point where I've actually asked people why they are sitting in the middle of a queue on a bike a couple of times.

PP becomes TJ on motorbike threads

I'd tell you to rack off if you asked me

But why? It's a perfectly reasonable question. Why cop a strop about it?

We met some motorcyclists coming the other way on a stretch of road with some long bends, but really good visibility last Sunday. Needless to say, we were rather surprised that the gentleman with his head our side of the carriageway made no attempt to change his trajectory despite having a good 2/300 metres to do so. Rather than decapite him, we had to swerve and drive with two wheels on the verge. Thanks w****r. 👿

I went to a neighbour's funeral a few years back. Killed overtaking on a back road. Nice young fella.

Very true. It annoys me to the point where I've actually asked people why they are sitting in the middle of a queue on a bike a couple of times.

I quite enjoy trying to keep of with bikes through the twisties. They just leave me for dead anytime the road straightens though.

Fast riders don't bother me at all, on A-roads I signal to let them past and marvel as they disappear down the road.

Slow riders can be really frustrating, they boot it in a straight line and hold you up at the next corner and the next corner. You just have to follow them as they do 30mph round 60mph bends.

But why? It's a perfectly reasonable question. Why cop a strop about it?

There's only two things with motorbikes that get my goat. One is cornering over the white line so I have to take evasive action so as not to hit their head and the other is "I can't get past in one go, I'll creep along the queue slotting into spaces and trashing peoples braking distance as I go at each hop, further slowing the cars by forcing people to brake and not giving a damn about anyone but my own progress".

But many are very, very good drivers and I wish them well.

coffeeking -the second of those has no impact upon your journey time at all and does not cause you to brake if done properly

coffeeking -the second of those has no impact upon your journey time at all and does not cause you to brake if done properly

I assure you it does, whether you like to think it or not. If you sneak into the braking space I've left I HAVE to drop back or risk running into you if something happens ahead. This means I use my brakes and then waste my fuel getting back to the position I had once you're gone. It's inconsiderate and dangerous. Why should I be forced to do that just because you want to overtake? You overtake when it's safe to do so, not when you have to _make_ a space to avoid oncoming traffic.

So you have to ease off the throttle for a second. You are still behind the same car after the motorbike has pissed off into the distance, it has not slowed your journey at all.

You are just irked because they can overtake when you cannot.

would you refuse a faster car behind you space to overtake and drop in between you and the car in front?

So you have to ease off the throttle for a second. You are still behind the same car after the motorbike has pissed off into the distance, it has not slowed your journey at all.

You are just irked because they can overtake when you cannot.

would you refuse a faster car behind you space to overtake and drop in between you and the car in front?

stm, as PP points out, max chat in 3rd even on a 600RR will be well in excess of 100mph.
I know this because I glanced down at my speedo the other day, 120mph in 2nd (I was about to change up - didnt want to drop the front, it was a long sliproad 😆 )

Only having a read, cant be bothered to contribute anything sensible to this discussion.

I'm with TJ on this one.

If a motorbike catches me I expect them to overtake and I make a space in front of me for them to slot into. I'll even signal to let them know its clear to overtake. Just common courtesy for someone who can make better progress than me. I'll also do the same if I see someone "on it" in a fast car.

A bike needs a hell of a lot less space than a car to overtake so I just let them get on with it. I can then get on with waiting for my gap to overtake Mr 41miles and hour.

If things go wrong then they do so very quickly, and unfortunately some people pay the ultimate price for the ultimate thrill.

As my dear old Dad (rider since about forever) says 'it'll only go as fast as your right hand lets it, if you ride like a statistic you deserve to become one'

Something that looks fast and silly from a car can often be achieved with relaxed ease on a bike.

QFT

With all due respect people who have not grown up with motorbikes have absolutely no idea what a motorcycle is capable of. It just looks way too fast way and generally way too dangerous from the driver's seat

So you have to ease off the throttle for a second. You are still behind the same car after the motorbike has pissed off into the distance, it has not slowed your journey at all.

You are just irked because they can overtake when you cannot.

Not at all, I don't care if they can do so cleanly and without affecting me. When they pass when traffic is coming and force their way into a gap it pisses me off, yes. It's not a case of letting off the throttle - by them more than halving my space in front I have to brake or any accident where I kill them will be my fault - don't know about your car but mine doesnt slow much when I let off the throttle.

would you refuse a faster car behind you space to overtake and drop in between you and the car in front?

I'd happily have them overtake if they could get past clearly or if I'd left enough car spaces ahead of me to fit an extra person, but this isn't always the case. I'd expect it. If I were in a queue with no extra space between me and the person in front, no I wouldn't expect the car to overtake and pull in - clearly I'd brake if I had to for safety but I don't think it's OK to force your way up a queue by forcing people to brake and make room for you - that's just rude and irresponsible.

I have a very nippy high performance car. If I were to make my way up a traffic queue expecting folk to move back and let me pass there would be hell to pay. My car is more than capable of overtaking most cars on the road, but cutting in in front of people or EXPECTING them to move back is just bad road manners. Bike owners seem to think it's their right and somehow think the "what looks dangerous really isn't" patter works for them where all car drivers are dangerous. Very often these moves scupper my own moves to overtake a car in front of me, meaning I'm then stuck for the next 5 miles waiting for clear visibility and the opportunity to move on.

Regardless of vehicle - if you can complete the move cleanly and without affecting others then go for it, otherwise don't.

Highway code:
162

Before overtaking you should make sure

the road is sufficiently clear ahead
road users are not beginning to overtake you
* there is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake

Not force them to make a gap. Overtaking is YOUR choice and YOUR move, not someone elses.

I'll never filter unless I know the layout of the junction that I'm filtering to.

Really? REALLY?
I filter ALL THE TIME. At every single available safe opportunity, without any hesitation whatsoever. The layout of the road has absolutely bugger all to do with it. If there's cars, and a safe gap, I'm in it. Filtering is at least 1/3 of the reason I got into motorcycling in the first place. Why do you even need to know what the junction looks like? You just don't. Look as far ahead as you can see at ALL times and make a decision based on that. If you can't get to the front, stop before you get there. If the traffic starts to move off, look for a gap opening up and slide into it (and wave or nod nicely if anyone lets you in) All it takes is practice. And not much at that.
As TJ will agree, you never need to 'know the road' if you know what you're doing. It makes no difference. 🙂

Why do you think a motorbike should be able to do something that has an impact on other road users?

If overtaking and slotting into a gap on front of you has 'an impact' on you then either you're too close to the car in front or you're not paying attention and haven't seen the bike coming. 🙂

the road is sufficiently clear ahead
road users are not beginning to overtake you
* there is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake
Not force them to make a gap. Overtaking is YOUR choice and YOUR move, not someone elses.

OK. FORCE them to make a gap???? If you have to be forced then you are waaaaaay too close to the car in front. You do realise how little space a bike needs, don't you? At, say, 50mph there [i]should[/i] be plenty of room. Loads.

Ball's back in your court I think! 🙂

If overtaking and slotting into a gap on front of you has 'an impact' on you then either you're too close to the car in front or you're not paying attention and haven't seen the bike coming.

It's not a case of letting off the throttle - by them more than halving my space in front I have to brake

Ah yes, I can see it would be annoying if you only leave two bike lengths between you and the car in front.

Very often these moves scupper my own moves to overtake a car in front of me, meaning I'm then stuck for the next 5 miles waiting for clear visibility and the opportunity to move on.

Me thinks this might be the real reason.

When I did the manoeuvre you describe, I didn't pull fully in. Back on to the correct side of the road but still to the right of the car in front. I did this as if it suddenly stopped dead then I'd go passed, not into the back, and also it has no effect on the car behind. That said, a two bite overtake would still be over with very quickly, any inconvenience would only be a matter of seconds. We should all really just relax and get along.

If overtaking and slotting into a gap on front of you has 'an impact' on you then either you're too close to the car in front or you're not paying attention and haven't seen the bike coming.

No, there's no blanket rule that says you must allow a bike to overtake (apart from in many bikers heads) - I will be leaving a space adequate and safe for my own stopping, if you fill part of it you affect me. I will have seen you coming and expect it, and therefore will drop back for safety. It doesn't make it right that you should force me to do so.

Ah yes, I can see it would be annoying if you only leave two bike lengths between you and the car in front.

Not entirely sure where you get two bike lengths from, seems a bit odd and ill-thought out. Normally I leave enough gap to stop and if someone sneaks into the middle I then have to move back to the same gap again AND then the bike often slows down to re-gain their own gap.

Me thinks this might be the real reason.

When I did the manoeuvre you describe, I didn't pull fully in. Back on to the correct side of the road but still to the right of the car in front. I did this as if it suddenly stopped dead then I'd go passed, not into the back, and also it has no effect on the car behind. That said, a two bite overtake would still be over with very quickly, any inconvenience would only be a matter of seconds. We should all really just relax and get along.

Me thinks you should stop attempting to second guess my intentions and reasons for irritation (despite the fact that they're perfectly valid). I don't care how you claim to do it and whether you think all bikers do it that way. They don't. They very often force their way into a space and don't just use the outside of the lane to hover and pass again. You might have better habits but most don't.

And any way, hovering to the right of the lane is still filling the safe space I've left and requires me to drop back for YOUR safety whether your want me to or not.

I have a very nippy high performance car.

But if a motorbike passes me and slots in front I don't mind easing off a touch.

If someone else is going faster than me good luck to them

Coffeeking - when moving up a line of traffic like that I always look for the car that is attempting to overtake and let them go first in the next gap - overtaking them after they have completed their manoeuvre.

If you are not attempting to overtake then you should have more than the minimum braking distance so would not need to brake to let a bike in. Even when attempting to overtake hanging back a bit gives you better sightlines.

When I did the manoeuvre you describe, I didn't pull fully in. Back on to the correct side of the road but still to the right of the car in front. I did this as if it suddenly stopped dead then I'd go passed, not into the back, and also it has no effect on the car behind. That said, a two bite overtake would still be over with very quickly, any inconvenience would only be a matter of seconds. We should all really just relax and get along.

this as well - you leave yourself an escape line up the middle of the road

No, there's no blanket rule that says you must allow a bike to overtake (apart from in many bikers heads) - I will be leaving a space adequate and safe for my own stopping, if you fill part of it you affect me. I will have seen you coming and expect it, and therefore will drop back for safety. It doesn't make it right that you should force me to do so.

So what you are saying is that nobody should overtake YOU, ever, yes? Just because YOU are "forced"* to drop back?

Well, to be frank, you can poke it sunshine, I'm passing (in car or bike) and there's bugger all you can do about it. 🙂

* tabloid style over exaggerated hysterics

Coffeeking - when moving up a line of traffic like that I always look for the car that is attempting to overtake and let them go first in the next gap - overtaking them after they have completed their manoeuvre.

Glad you do, you're not exactly common.

If you are not attempting to overtake then you should have more than the minimum braking distance so would not need to brake to let a bike in. Even when attempting to overtake hanging back a bit gives you better sightlines.

I shouldn't need to have more distance as I should not be put in a position where I have to adapt to other peoples stupidity. Clearly I do have to, but what irritates me is the assumption that I should have to. Please don't lecture me on overtaking, if I'm at a safe braking distance from a vehicle I'm going to overtake I've more than enough vision to see to overtake.

So what you are saying is that nobody should overtake YOU, ever, yes? Just because YOU are "forced"* to drop back?

No, feel free to overtake cleanly. Just don't put me at risk by making me brake and adapt to your shite driving and avoid you, pretty simple and not exactly asking much.

As I say, turn it around and assume I'm in my car. I bazz past you, drift into the safe gap you left hanging on the white line and then pass the next car. I absolutely guarantee 95% of drivers and bike owners would have a whine abuot having me "slot" into the space.

"Slot" doesn't soften it, it's called cutting people up. And suggesting others should be more observant and adapt to you cutting people up doesn't make it right.

I shouldn't need to have more distance as I should not be put in a position where I have to adapt to other peoples stupidity

Right. Now we're getting somewhere. You think overtaking (any overtaking) is stupid.

Please explain why overtaking is stupid.

ou think overtaking (any overtaking) is stupid.

No, not at all - that's you putting words into my mouth. My point was, and always has been, that if you can't overtake me because there is no clear space (maybe I'm planning an overtake, maybe I've just aborted one and I'm waiting for the next safe place), don't attempt to. That's what the law says, that's what common sense says. It's just not what some bike-owning nutters like to hear.

The whole point hinges around the space in front. If there's not one there (for whatever reason) *bike owners try to make one by forcing in and blame the driver for not leaving the god-given space all bikers should be allowed. Nonsense. you adhere to the same rules as I do in a bike. If I come up behind a car and want to overtake but can't because there's 3-4-5 cars in a row and it's too far to see, I don't EXPECT people to move out of my way.

*many, to not generalise.

Right. Now we're getting somewhere. You think overtaking (any overtaking) is stupid.

Please explain why overtaking is stupid.

No PP, I think you'll find he's saying any overtaking when you end up in front of him is stupid 😉

Those who drive with me will be well aware I'm perfectly happy to overtake and to let people overtake, be they car, bike, horse - makes no odds to me, if you can get there faster than me SAFELY then go for it. But don't inconvenience and endanger me in the process, do it properly.

that if you can't overtake me because there is no clear space

But there IS a clear space. You were driving considerately and leaving a reasonable gap to the car in front which has left me ample space to slot into. Thankyou. But this will halve the space you have, so you'll have to drop back a bit to maintain your considerate distance. Is that so hard? No. So we agree then. Lovely. 🙂

if I'm at a safe braking distance from a vehicle I'm going to overtake I've more than enough vision to see to overtake.

Being further back allows you to see farther and thus plan overtakes further ahead. A basic technique of what the police call "making effective progress" 🙂

But there IS a clear space. You were driving considerately and leaving a reasonable gap to the car in front which has left me ample space to slot into. Thankyou. But this will halve the space you have, so you'll have to drop back a bit to maintain your considerate distance. Is that so hard? No. So we agree then. Lovely.

No, I was driving considerately and leaving a reasonable gap in front SO THAT I COULD STOP IF THEY DID, not so you could fit in there. I MAY have chosen to leave more room so you could fit in there, but it's not a given, and it should be obvious, apparently it's not.

Being further back allows you to see farther and thus plan overtakes further ahead. A basic technique of what the police call "making effective progress"

How far do you want to push that? 1/4 mile? Half mile? At what point does this become stupid? At what point do the returns diminish? If I have left a decent stopping distance I have more than sufficient vision to plan and execute an overtake in my quick car. I might need more in the slow diesel as it needs winding up to speed, in which case I'll leave more gap and it'll probably be filled by a tit on an R1 in a nanosecond 😀

edited: Missed my smiley

Maths time

50mph is 73.33 feet per second according to my conversion app

We've all heard of the 2 second rule, yes? I.E. 2 seconds is a good gap to leave when following a car.

So in 2 seconds we cover 146 feet, which is, roundly speaking, 50 yards.

Is it acceptable for me to overtake (car or bike) and pull into that 50 yard gap?

I think it is.

Is it acceptable for me to overtake (car or bike) and pull into that 50 yard gap?

I think it is.

Why is acceptable for your to endanger me by forcably reducing my stopping distance so you can get somewhere quicker?

Its not endangering you at all. 🙄

Why is it not? For the time when you're between me and the car in front I've not got room to stop. You'll die and I'll have a damaged car, injuries and possible injur other folk if I take avoiding action.

No, I was driving considerately and leaving a reasonable gap in front SO THAT I COULD STOP IF THEY DID, not so you could fit in there

So I need your permission, which you grant by leaving more space, to overtake you, yes?

Just so you don't have to save a bit of fuel and back off the gas for a second or two?

I just need to get this clear so I understand, sorry.

So I need your permission, which you grant by leaving more space, to overtake you, yes?

Just so you don't have to save a bit of fuel and back off the gas for a second or two?

I just need to get this clear so I understand, sorry.

Effectively, yes. By being the person behind in the queue, you take responsibility for your overtake. That's the law. If the conditions are not safe (i.e. I've not left room, for whatever reason) you need to wait until it is safe. Of course being a biker you're likely to be impatient and a bit dangerous so you're likely to be angered by the suggestion that someone else might have some reason for not lettign you do whatever you like.

Either way, as the law stands YOU are responsible for your own actions and if your actions put others in danger (by reducing their safe distance) it's not a clean overtake and you're responsible for that reduction in safety. Even if you don't like it and want to argue you've got a halo.

Countless times I've had to sit behind a queue of 5 cars trundling behind a tractor despite plenty of safe overtaking moves. It's frustrating, but I have no right to go forcing my way up the queue by cutting people up and expecting them to deal with it. I have to act like an adult and have a bit of patience, waiting for a safe gap to open up either somewhere in the queue or find a straight where I can overtake all 6 participants.