How to pass a cyclist

It's springtime and the cyclists (including me) are back on the road. So I'd like to take a moment to review how to pass a cyclist, specifically on a narrow, winding road. Now let's throw in a blind corner to the mix and see what shakes out.

Points to Ponder:

• The motorist approaching a cyclist from the rear has the ability to control the timing and location  of the encounter. 
• A bicycle is a single-track vehicle. This means the rider is going to weave slightly to maintain balance. If the cyclist is a young child the amount of weaving can be exaggerated and unpredictable.

Let's say we are that motorist approaching the cyclist from the rear. There is also another car approaching in the opposite direction. If neither of the cars vary their speed, both cars and the cyclist will meet at the same location. Remember there's a blind corner that's going to come into play, meaning you can't see that other approaching car. You can react to this scenario in three dramatically different ways.

THE OBLIVIOUS DRIVER
This driver is too busy NOT driving they don't even notice the cyclist. They proceed on auto-pilot at a constant speed, they also don't vary their position on the lane, thus passing by inches from the elbow of the cyclist at the same moment that other car bursts around the corner. If we're lucky the cyclist doesn't suffer  more than momentary cardiac arrest.

THE GIANT SWERVE DRIVER
As this driver approaches the cyclist, their response to the situation is to swerve WAY over the centreline into the oncoming lane. Just at that moment that oncoming car comes into view. A drastic swerve back into the lane is needed to avoid a collision with the oncoming car. If the cyclist is lucky they aren't hit. Probably they've been watching this disaster unfold in their rearview mirror and have "hit the ditch" in a desperate attempt at self-preservation.

THE SPEED CONTROL DRIVER
This driver sees the cyclist ahead and quickly determines that if they don't adjust their speed they will pass the cyclist at a dangerous spot on the road. They either speed up slightly and pass before the blind corner or preferably they slow down and follow behind the cyclist until they are both past the blind corner and can see it is safe to pass the cylist. Perhaps if they're especially considerate, they will move over slightly to the centreline to give the cyclist a bit more room.

I hope you will make it your goal to be a Speed Control Driver. Every cyclist on the road will thank you.