Here in NSW Australia it is almost the exact opposite now. You are permitted to cross the centre lane to overtake a bicycle (if it is safe) and need to keep a 1 to 1.5 metre gap to the bike. https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-s....
That's the law here in the UK, too, as long as the centre line isn't solid (which is what mrob was citing).
Most roads don't have solid centre lines.
The key point in that rule is that it only applies to solid centre lines. Motorists are free to cross broken lines to overtake.
Re:Things people blamed on bicycles
by matheusmoreira on Wednesday August 24, 2022 @08:39PM
(#32587837)
Of course. The line is solid and can't be crossed to overtake slower vehicles. Not just bikes.
I think that's a really interesting law since it actually makes an exception for slow bicycles. Looks like they're such a nuisance that cars are actually allowed to overtake them despite the solid line.
Rule 129:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-t...
Some rules in the Highway Code are guidance only, but those marked with uppercase "MUST" or "MUST NOT" have legal force.