Cycling two abreast....agree or not?

[Speedy23]

See here:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/oct/26/uk...

Well for one, I don't agree. As a driver, a motorcyclist and.....gasp....a pedal cyclist, all I can say is that I get really annoyed by clumps of cyclists stubbornly refusing to move over and restricting the flow of traffic on otherwise perfectly passable roads.

I always used to think that being considerate to others was all part of being a responsible road user, but reading this self-justifying nonsense is making me really annoyed.

This needs nipping in the bud ASAP.

Just IMHO.

[anonymous-user]

[unpc]

I'm a cyclist and I rarely ride with others for that reason but when I do it's single file unless there's absolutely no traffic.

[ChocolateFrog]

Depends. If I'm out with 1 or two others then single file when other traffic is about.

If you're in bigger group say 5+ then side by side would be better and safer.

[Jag_NE]

I’m not a cyclist but I accept that to overtake I need to move into the other lane be it one cyclist or two side by side. The only slight inconvenience with 2 riders abreast is that you have a narrower overtaking gap but at the same time it’s a shorter queue to pass.

[Don Roque]

Cyclists riding two abreast are still easy to overtake. It's nice when they get the point and move to single file to facilitate passing, but it's not necessary. Once you get a safe spot, floor it and leave them in the dust.

[Bobtherallyfan]

Cyclists have become a real pain in the New Forest. Leisure cyclists are generally fine, families out for a nice ride and keep in as best they can, but the serious Lycra clad mob seem to take a delight in holding up traffic.

[Krikkit]

ChocolateFrog said:

Depends. If I'm out with 1 or two others then single file when other traffic is about.

If you're in bigger group say 5+ then side by side would be better and safer.

Just split the group up? You can leave a 50 yard gap and still enjoy yourselves.

[Jag_NE]

Don Roque said:

Cyclists riding two abreast are still easy to overtake. It's nice when they get the point and move to single file to facilitate passing, but it's not necessary. Once you get a safe spot, floor it and leave them in the dust.

Agree it’s not especially difficult, I think people get twisty about it because it’s a narrower gap to work with. One cyclist or two, you need an absence of oncoming traffic regardless. I honestly think the issue is some car drivers have a bit of “king of the road” syndrome relative to a cyclist so quickly get shirty about trivial stuff like this.
My pet peeve is is cyclists who appear (and I accept I don’t know for sure...) taking leisure rides at peak commuting times, causing big tailbacks on twisty roads. Someone will be along soon to rip apart my argument as I know it’s far from water tight

[MiseryStreak]

When I’m riding with a mate, we always go to single file when a car needs to overtake. It’s just courtesy. I expect (but don’t always see) the same when I’m driving. They’re legally entitled to ride two abreast so as I pass I make sure to give plenty of room and only utter expletives inaudibly.

Just follow the simple rule that applies to all aspects of life: Don’t be a .

[Johnnytheboy]

I always give single cyclists loads of room when passing.

When they are two abreast by definition I can't give the guy on the right as much room unless the road is unnaturally wide.

Their choice.

[aeropilot]

Bobtherallyfan said:

but the serious Lycra clad mob seem to take a delight in holding up traffic.

Drive around the narrow lanes in the Oakham, Surrey area on a Sunday morning when the Lycra Nazi's are out in force and its a nightmare, I've been stuck behind the arrogant ****s for ages while they ride 2 abreast having a chat with each other while holding everyone up......and I'm a frequent leisure cyclist myself, and even spent 15 years cycling to work back in the 80's/90's way before its was 'trendy' to do so, but these arse's give cycling a bad name.

[DonkeyApple]

Speedy23 said:

See here:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/oct/26/uk...

Well for one, I don't agree. As a driver, a motorcyclist and.....gasp....a pedal cyclist, all I can say is that I get really annoyed by clumps of cyclists stubbornly refusing to move over and restricting the flow of traffic on otherwise perfectly passable roads.

I always used to think that being considerate to others was all part of being a responsible road user, but reading this self-justifying nonsense is making me really annoyed.

This needs nipping in the bud ASAP.

Just IMHO.

It’s absolutely fine and in many cases the safest way to travel.

The actual issue is that like other slow moving vehiclesnon the road it is important etiquette to move over or stop and let any queue that has formed to pass.

Some cyclists like some caravan users and others either do not know the basics of manners or worse, they do know.

[mac96]

Pure speculation, but how often to cyclists riding close together have accidents not involving other traffic, when those at the front whose view is unobstructed react to a hazard and those riding a couple of feet away pile into them? You see it happening to motorcyclists.

I never felt comfortable cycling in a bunch, or even two side by side, for that reason, apart from it being sometimes inconsiderate.

[J4CKO]

I am a bit of a Billy No Mates when I cycle, but when I do ride with someone else its not hard to ride two abreast when its quiet, and then if cars approach fall back into single file.

If nothing else it shows some consideration even if it doesnt make it massively easier to pass.

I think the "Lycra Clad Mob" (God I hate that term) is usually referring to club riders who are riding at pace in a group and the more there are, the more space they will take up however they are arranged.

I know people who have an almost Pavlovian response to encountering a group of cyclists, they go from happy to apoplectic at the sight of a cyclist, never mind a group, they dig in for a rant, then look daft when the cyclists move over and let them through with a cheery wave (does sometimes happen) Thing is, the ones that I know that moan the most are the ones with the least going on in their lives. One chap drives at a glacial pace and invariably has a tailback behind him but goes postal about cyclists doing 20 mph when he wants to do 25 (in a 40)

Then folk spend more time moaning on Facebook about it than they were delayed, and also completely ignore all the time stuck in queues of cars, never registers and lets have it right, its not the cyclists you are worried about when overtaking, its meeting yet another car coming the other way.

Need to put the actual delays into perspective, I found myself ready to kill in Sainsburys when an older lady blocked the aisle with her trolley and studied various items for some considerable time, completely oblivious to anyone else, I think some folk just dont have the mental process to think that anyone else matters.

[Miserablegit]

two abreast is generally fine as it reduces the time for passing - not so fine when the road is slightly narrow and it effectively prevents any overtaking

I'm more concerned by the increasing number of cyclists pulling out in front of me "because they don't take up road space" and then being oblivious to the fact I now have to slow down in order not to close pass them...
usually on a roundabout where I'm taking an exit and a cyclist from the exit just before the one I'm taking pulls out and takes the same exit- I have nowhere to go and can only slow down. If I drive alongside them (which I don't) then I'm going to be accused of a close pass...

[VonSenger]

Fingers crossed Darwin has his way. Imagine another mode of transport demanding that they be allowed to race on the roads or take up twice their own width to chat regardless of the impact it has on others? Bonkers and utterly bizarre how the sad tts cant see how stupid their behaviour is. As I've said before, there is a cycle shop near me and they arrange this nonsense regularly, in the summer its almost every weekend, at times its three bikes wide. But we are supposed to just STFU and accept it?

[georgefreeman918]

I generally apply these rules when riding with others:

- Single track road - side by side until a vehicle approaches from front or rear, then single file
- Busy road (constant flow of traffic) - single file at all times
- In groups of more than 4 - safer to say side by side (overtaking distance is half than if everyone as stretched out one behind the other)

My most recent annoyance as a cyclist is cars coming towards you on a single track road (passing places for cars) that seem to want to come passed you at full speed and not slow down at all. There is just enough room, but if I were to move or be knocked off my line by a rock or pot hole, I would be splat on the front of the car!

[Mastodon2]

Cyclists riding two abreast are easier to pass because the distance you need to cover to overtake them is halved, or less than halved. Not to mention, you shouldn't need to "wait for a clear road" to overtake, because if there is a car coming the other way and cyclists riding close to the edge of the road, you shouldn't be squeezing up the middle anyway. You're supposed to give cyclists the same berth as a car when passing.

The above seems to be largely forgotten or misunderstood by a lot of car, van and lorry drivers, who froth themselves into a rage as soon as they are "held up" by a cyclist.

I think the angriest of them would probably feel much better for getting some time in on two wheels. Exercise and fresh air is a great stress buster and they often seem to be dealing with some pent-up issues.

[georgefreeman918]

Miserablegit said:

two abreast is generally fine as it reduces the time for passing - not so fine when the road is slightly narrow and it effectively prevents any overtaking

I'm more concerned by the increasing number of cyclists pulling out in front of me "because they don't take up road space" and then being oblivious to the fact I now have to slow down in order not to close pass them...
usually on a roundabout where I'm taking an exit and a cyclist from the exit just before the one I'm taking pulls out and takes the same exit- I have nowhere to go and can only slow down. If I drive alongside them (which I don't) then I'm going to be accused of a close pass...

I have noticed this too! As recent as the weekend gone by, I had to do an emergency stop because a cyclist merged onto the main road from the left. If I had carried out at my speed and trajectory I would have passed far too close.