5B.5.5 Passing
This discussion has an associated proposal. View Proposal Details here.Comments about this discussion:
Started
I open this discussion because the discussion "General stuff" is closed:
"5B.5.5 Passing: No physical contact between riders is allowed. Riders must maintain a minimum of one (24”) wheel diameter (618mm as judged by eye) between each other when passing, and at all other times. This is measured from wheel to wheel, so that one rider passing another may come quite close, as long as their wheels remain at least 618mm apart."
in my opinion to elaborately: i try to simplify:
"Riders must keep attention while passing and avoid physical contact as far as possible."
Comment
And add Ben's suggestion:
"Violations of these [passing] rule may result in disqualification or a time penalty, to be determined and announced before the race start."
Comment
I like it!
Comment
I agree 618mm is too precise when using naked eye measurement.
How about simply-
1. passing distance must be at least one wheel diameter apart. This is taken as the wheel diameter of the passing rider.
Otherwise a simpler measurement such as
2. passing distance should be 0.5m apart
I am not sure if passing distance is an issue that needs a separate rule. People seem to know how much they need to pass by without getting tangled up. It also adds extra complexity for marshals and organisers.
If safety is a concern, I think a more useful passing rule would be 'riders must always pass on the right' if the race is run in country where motor vehicles drive on the left; and 'riders must always pass on the left' if the race is held in a country where motor vehicles drive on the right. Slow riders should remain as far as possible to the the left/right respectively to avoid obstructing riders.
Comment
Ken: "I am not sure if passing distance is an issue that needs a separate rule. People seem to know how much they need to pass by without getting tangled up. It also adds extra complexity for marshals and organisers."
that's true, nonetheless I would not remove this rule. With this rule competitors are called to compete respectful.
I think there's no need to determine a minimum distance. It's enough to avoid intentional body contact.
I think to determine the passing-side will not work: the rider in the front is allowed to ride on the optimal lane, that sometimes is left and sometimes is right. so the rider that want to pass, has to pass on the other side.
Comment
Agree with Paul that we should be able to pass both left and right - really depends on the section and where the ideal line is.
Comment
Sometimes the situation dictates which line you pick. However, I think in the interests of safety, we could make a 'suggestion' of using this passing rule.
It is certainly used in mountainbike competition and it means riders know which side to ''favour" when someone is coming up very fast behind them.
I agree with getting rid of the specified passing distance- it is subjective and difficult to monitor.
Comment
Ken: "It is certainly used in mountainbike competition and it means riders know which side to ''favour" when someone is coming up very fast behind them."
I think there is no need for this suggestion, because the speed difference in Muni is very small compared with the speed difference in MTB. The MTB races I saw, the MTB-racers that came from behind shouted loudly the side on which they intended to pass, so the rider in front was advised.
I would leave the proposal like this:
"Riders must keep attention while passing and avoid physical contact as far as possible. Violations of this [passing] rule may result in disqualification or a time penalty, to be determined and announced before the race start."
Comment
I agree.
Comment
I think it's ready for a proposal. Just remove the brackets [], I only used them because I copy/pasted the whole sentence and only changed the word "passing".