Side-by-side cycling

[mauvais]

Car drivers in this country, and possibly everywhere, are absolutely shit at overtaking stuff in general. Noone but the weird League of Gentlemen teaches it, so people either figure it out themselves, never do it, or do some horrible bodge. Cyclists just experience a milder version of the same thing under what are usually less challenging circumstances.

 

[moomoo]

UK cycling groups say rule on riding side-by-side is ‘causing confusion’

Cycling two abreast can be safer, say campaigners calling for update to Highway Code

www.theguardian.com

 

[Saul Goodman]

UK cycling groups say rule on riding side-by-side is ‘causing confusion’

Cycling two abreast can be safer, say campaigners calling for update to Highway Code

www.theguardian.com

It's only causing confusion in cyclists who think the rules don't apply to them

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Still, at least we’re covering lots of new ground and helping change attitudes here.

 

[ska invita]

The wording for the highway code is a fudge, even more so under the new proposed change. At least the old one had road condition qualifiers.
Would be easier to agree if the code was clear

 

[Spymaster]

... cyclists are free to ride 2, 3 or more abreast and there is no law preventing this.

There’s no law preventing you from bumbling along on your bike with your thumb up your arse. You’re free to do that too.

 

[Ted Striker]

There’s no law preventing you from bumbling along on your bike with your thumb up your arse. You’re free to do that too.

(First bullet point here)

the current rule 66

View attachment 235998

 

[cupid_stunt]

Still, at least we’re covering lots of new ground and helping change attitudes here.

Considering how often this circular argument has been done, can't people just come together, and agree some drivers are twats as are most cyclists?

 

[andysays]

What if there's forty of them? They take up less space on the road double file and it allows them to move quicker because they can rotate the lead riders. Shouldn't that be better for everyone?

This may be a controversial comment, but to my mind there is actually no justification for that many cyclists to be out riding on a public road in one group.

To do so is inherently unsafe and not demonstrating consideration for other road users, just as it would be if it was forty cars, forty motorbikes, forty horses or forty anything else all travelling in convoy.

 

[Saul Goodman]

(First bullet point here)

"Should"

 

[Spymaster]

(First bullet point here)

Yes, but it only says you should. Therefore not mandatory. Cyclists are free to ride with their thumbs in their rectums.

 

[maomao]

This may be a controversial comment, but to my mind there is actually no justification for that many cyclists to be out riding on a public road in one group.

To do so is inherently unsafe and not demonstrating consideration for other road users, just as it would be if it was forty cars, forty motorbikes, forty horses or forty anything else all travelling in convoy.

Car drivers are the worst for it. Sometimes you get groups of half a dozen or more of them in their big long shiny black cars (I think they're SUVs) driving deliberately slowly holding up traffic. I saw one the other day going so slow one of the miserable looking cunts was actually walking in front of them. Cunts.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

This may be a controversial comment, but to my mind there is actually no justification for that many cyclists to be out riding on a public road in one group.

To do so is inherently unsafe and not demonstrating consideration for other road users, just as it would be if it was forty cars, forty motorbikes, forty horses or forty anything else all travelling in convoy.

How is it “inherently unsafe”?

 

[Saul Goodman]

This may be a controversial comment, but to my mind there is actually no justification for that many cyclists to be out riding on a public road in one group.

To do so is inherently unsafe and not demonstrating consideration for other road users, just as it would be if it was forty cars, forty motorbikes, forty horses or forty anything else all travelling in convoy.

It 'should' be classed as a cycling event, and 'should' have marshals.
I do charity motorcycle rides every year, and have organised quite a few. We wouldn't dream of having that many bikes in a group without marshals, and we'd be riding at adult speeds.

 

[andysays]

How is it “inherently unsafe”?

Because once you have that many cyclists (or any other kind of vehicle) travelling together as a group, it inevitably obstructs other road users.

 

[Orang Utan]

How is it “inherently unsafe”?

Cycling too close together

 

[Pickman's model]

Wouldn't it be a good idea to make sure cyclists all have lights before reexamining the side by side bit? I can't see cyclists without lights riding side by side on a poorly lit road being safer than cyclists in single file with lamps

 

[Winot]

Because once you have that many cyclists (or any other kind of vehicle) travelling together as a group, it inevitably obstructs other road users.

How is that unsafe?

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Because once you have that many cyclists (or any other kind of vehicle) travelling together as a group, it inevitably obstructs other road users.

At which point we get back to riding 2 or 3 abreast again, thus shortening the line and making it easier for cars to pass when safe to do so

Cycling too close together

In the middle of a city maybe. Out on open roads? Not a problem.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

How is that unsafe?

It’s not. But god forbid a driver has to wait.

 

[inva]

Because once you have that many cyclists (or any other kind of vehicle) travelling together as a group, it inevitably obstructs other road users.

I think you have just discovered traffic

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Wouldn't it be a good idea to make sure cyclists all have lights before reexamining the side by side bit? I can't see cyclists without lights riding side by side on a poorly lit road being safer than cyclists in single file with lamps

There’s certainly a more coherent argument for at least a compulsory flashing daytime visible rear light, than there is for riding single file everywhere.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

It’s not. But god forbid a driver has to wait.

Quite. He’ll be amazed if he ever looks at a moan road and sees lots of cars all going in the same direction.

 

[Orang Utan]

At which point we get back to riding 2 or 3 abreast again, thus shortening the line and making it easier for cars to pass when safe to do so


In the middle of a city maybe. Out on open roads? Not a problem.

it is if you have to stop suddenly

 

[sleaterkinney]

looks average to me

It's different because it has a dedicated cycle lane.
it's not just the bit where you're passing the cyclist that's dangerous, it's also when you are pulling out to overtake and then coming back in. If a cyclist is close to the kerb it just encourages cars to try and squeeze past - they mostly get it wrong.

 

[Badgers]

Just kill everyone with an hammer, no matter what they do. Perfect world.

Can you post me a hammer?

 

[StoneRoad]

How about riding in / on the cycle lane when one has been built alongside the road instead of on the carriageway ?

There are a number of places I pass regularly with perfectly good grade separated cycle paths, and still the cyclists stay on the main road ...

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

it is if you have to stop suddenly

Hence "on open roads" comment...

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

How about riding in / on the cycle lane when one has been built alongside the road instead of on the carriageway ?

There are a number of places I pass regularly with perfectly good grade separated cycle paths, and still the cyclists stay on the main road ...

"Perfectly good" cycle paths in this country are like rocking horse poo. Build them and they get used. The current accepted advice is also that they're not really to be used if you're going much over 16mph or so as it becomes pretty antisocial for slower/less confident riders.

 

[Saul Goodman]

"Perfectly good" cycle paths in this country are like rocking horse poo. Build them and they get used. The current accepted advice is also that they're not really to be used if you're going much over 16mph or so as it becomes pretty antisocial for slower/less confident riders.

Why do I get the feeling that advice comes from a lycralist...