Passing a Cyclist on a Narrow Shoulder
You are on a rural two-lane road with one lane in each direction, a 55 mph limit, and no shoulder markings. Ahead, a cyclist is riding near the right edge at about 15 mph. Your lane is 11 feet wide. An oncoming pickup is approaching about a quarter mile away. You want to pass the cyclist. The road curves gently to the right just beyond the cyclist, limiting how far ahead you can see.
1. Can you pass the cyclist right now? Explain the factors that decide it.
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Not safely, and not yet legally. Passing requires enough clear distance and a safe gap. With the oncoming pickup only about a quarter mile away at highway speed and a curve limiting sight distance, you cannot confirm the oncoming lane will stay clear through the pass. You also must leave the cyclist a safe buffer - do not squeeze past in an 11-foot lane. The correct move is to slow to the cyclist's pace, hold back at a safe following distance, and wait until the oncoming vehicle passes and you can see well beyond the curve before moving left to pass.
2. What should you do if the cyclist swerves slightly toward the center as you begin to overtake?
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Abort the pass. A cyclist may swerve to avoid a pothole, debris, or a drain grate, so treat any lateral movement as a signal to back off. Brake and return to a safe following position behind the cyclist rather than trying to thread the gap. Do not honk aggressively or crowd the rider. Re-establish a following distance and look for a safer, fully clear opportunity.