:-)
I once had a bike overtake me on the "bike lane" aka the cross-hatched gap indicating you're not supposed to go on it.

Fair dues, it didn't hold me up, but it was amusing to see him slam his brakes on as another biker coming the other way was doing the same thing.
(Kliper Filllets Getting noticed by twats on the internet since, Wed 28 Apr 2010, 8:02, 1 reply)

You're only restricted from using it,
if it has solid white lines encapsulating it. If not (assuming they weren't abusing speed TOO much) there's no reason why you shouldn't overtake using it.
( Blind Meach Cautiously optimistic, Wed 28 Apr 2010, 11:03, closed)

True
This was the "solid lines surrounding it" type. It was a slightly wide road and is there to stop cars overtaking really, although there are bollards every so often, and indicate this as well.

I've actually seen drivers pull out onto this though, to stop bikers overtaking them in slow moving traffic!
(Kliper Filllets Getting noticed by twats on the internet since, Wed 28 Apr 2010, 11:07, closed)