Two abreast cycling..Yes or no
On a recent SKyride they iinsisted this was the best techique and demanded everyone do this.as its safer.for anyone in a touring group.I dont agree..I dont like to go out of my way to antagonise cars. and prefer a defensive riding singlle file...
jc
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He is obliged to move out as far as he would to overtake a car. How does your riding two abreast create a more difficult problem for him. As for antagonising him, you should, since 2004, have noticed that antagonised motorists happen even to solo riders.
If on the other hand, their a a number of you, riding in single file makes the overtaking process twice as long, with all the potential for increased risk during that time.
I've done clubruns on back roads in the Yorkshire Dales where we have deliberately ridden two abreast to prevent a driver from overtaking us, since the narrowness and limited sightlines of the road would have made overtaking us in single file dangerous. And yes, they were antagonised - in those circs. so what?
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http://www.facebook.com/groups/eastbradfordcyclingclub/
There are obviously exceptions and on narrow country lanes when riding as a group we will often single out and call a car through when we can see it is safe. More often than not the driver will acknowledge this politely.
Riding single file and / or close to the edge is not riding defensively. Defensively is holding your position in a safe manner. Unfortunately there are many ignorant road users who think bikes should not be on the road at all and that riding two abreast is illegal - it isn't and I think there should be emphasis on understanding other road users in the driving test.
Even if they still cannot get passed I like to think they believe I have made an effort to let them and they moderate behaviour accordingly.
I can see why different considerations might apply for a mass participation event though.
I generally find drivers are courteous and patient though, a glance back and nod or small raise of the hand to let them know you're aware of them, not being deliberatey obstructive and a wave as they go by tends to encourage good behaviour.
I get wound up by the skyrides though, it brings out the once a year cyclists who haven't got a clue about roadcraft, seem to think no cars = safe to ride without any consideration and dangerously oblivious to everyone else around them: randomly veering, riding full carriageways abreast, never looking before pulling out, determined to push to the front of any stop line. Far more dangerous to me than pretty much any car I've ever been near. Glad my lad is old enough and smart enough on the roads not to be taken in by the novelty of riding such a closed circuit event now.
I occasionally break away from the club rides I go on when the group is too big as the inevitable car aggro can spoil the fun of the ride for me.
"Because the cycling is pain. The cycling is soul crushing pain."
But in most circumstances, it's correct to ride two abreast, then single out if necessary.
I recommend the riders ride 2 abreast as this shortens the length needed for a pass and stops cars only getting past half the riders and splitting the group up which can be dangerous. I have only lead one ride where I have insisted on 2-a-breast and that was taking a group which included children with stabilisers along Bird Cage Walk.
Rules for cyclists
66
You should...
* never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
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Question:
Do any cyclists drive cars? You'd think not judging by some of the 'us vs. them' posts.
Personally, I think it's a matter of common sense and courtesy. It depresses me when people (mostly men, it has to be said) become arrogant and self-righteous as soon as they leave the car at home and go out on two wheels.
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You highlighted the wrong part, you should have highlighted "should" as that means it's just a recommendation and not a law / regulation (i.e. covered outside of the Highway Code). I've never understood the recommendation to single out on a bend as that is one place you don't want to encourage overtaking. It's nothing to do with being self-righteous and all about safety, if you consider it safer / as safe to ride in single file then that's fine but you shouldn't get bullied into it by an impatient motorist. I have driven nearly 25,000 miles in the past 7 months and I reckon the time I have been delayed by being behind cyclists is close to zero as whenever I have had to wait to pass I have eventually caught back up with the vehicle that was previously in front of me. By contrast I have been held up by hours by slower moving vehicles, particularly on my regular trips up the A49 where I can lose 10 to 15 minutes behind slow moving cars that I cannot overtake safely.
If you want drivers to have a positive attitude to rider safety then show them some courtesy to start with.
I don't agree with the argument "that since they have to give us plenty of space anyway we may as well ride two abreast". You are halving the safety bubble and sharing it with the rider next to you. Only going to end it tears when one of you or both of you need that bubble. Better to ride defensively (further out) and keep that space spare.
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Treat other road users how you would like to be treated yourself...polite, courteous and cause the minimal disruption you can while not endangering you or them.
As well as a cycling enthusiast I am also a HGV driver who drives Articulated lorries.
I thought I would give my oppinion on this as I can see both sides, however in a much slower, longer, wider and massively heavier vehicle overtaking cyclists anytime is abit of a problem however when they are 2 abreast its rarther dangerous for me to attempt overtaking.
I often drive around Ascot in my artic and there is also quite a large cycle club that use the A and B roads around there.
It can and does become a bit of a nightmare trying to overtake them, especialy by the virginia waters section
which ends up with me in my truck holding everyone up behind me doing 10-15mph along the whole length of the road.
Some see whats going on and drop back into single file and others don't.
Now I know I am no more important as a road user than the people in the cycle club but it becomes quite frustrating when they refuse to drop back.
As a HGV driver we are goverend by various driving rules and regs which include a maximum time allowed to be behind the wheel each day.
If I get stuck behind a big cycle pack ( which does happen ) then my precious time is ticking away and it has a knock on affect through out my day.
All I would ask is, If you spot a larger vehicle behind you, and your 2 abreast, then please drop back in and let us pass.
As already said I know I am no more important than the group but as fellow road users lets try to work together instead of against.
I hear what you are saying, but don't let self induced time pressures cloud your judgement. Because you are driving commercially and your company put you under a certain time pressure is no reason to adjust safety related behaviour. I know because I ride bikes on the road and fly aeroplanes for a living....A very similar safety environment with pressures.
PP
Spot on!
I wounder how many people giving advice have actually done any kind of advanced driver training?
If the pack contains 12 rides riding off-set will only take up a maximum of another 5-6m over 2 abreast giving each rider a better view of the road and more space to stop in. It will only take a car another 0.5 seconds at 20mph above the pack speed to pass. Time exposed to danger for the car will be the same. Safety bubble for each cyclist will be about 50% bigger.
Any selfish act we do as cyclists, just impacts the next rider down the road, who wont have a clue why nobody is giving him space. Its all about attitude. Defensive driving/riding is not about forcing people to do things they don't want to do its about creating and holding on to space that you might need. If its safe to ride two abreast then its even safer to stagger the group and ride offset. Motorcyclists ride off-set when riding in groups as it given them more space, better stopping distance, better view of the road and the ability to adapt.
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I've given the standard road width dimensions above. How can you safely pass a cyclist riding in a reasonable position (say 1m from the kerb and half a metre width for bike and rider) in a vehicle that will be 2m wide with wing mirrors without crossing into the opposing lane when their lane is 3.65m wide (and that is based on a good width relatively modern road)? It is worrying when cyclist themselves feel it is possible. Riding a safe distance from the kerb or even two abreast is exactly the sort of defensive riding that should be advocated, accidents occur when motorists are encourage to squeeze past. Oh, and yes I have done advanced driving and drive in excess of 30,000 miles a year so I'm not some sort of cycling fundamentalist.
As cyclists we just aren't in a position to dictate to other road users. Our bikes simply don't have the road presence. Its hard enough on a motorbike, when you can match their speed. Hence IMO its better to create the biggest safety bubble you can and use it when you have to. Couple that with bags of courtesy and drivers are much more likely to give you space because they want to rather than get aggressive because in their mind you are holding them up.
The fact is the driver will overtake you anyway - they are more likely to do this safely when you haven't peed them off.
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Have to wonder why one didn't drop behind the other for 50 metres and let you pass earlier.
Thats exactly my view. If cars can easily over take you two abreast then fine. If it is a quiet road and you go back to single file briefly to let cars past then again everyone is happy. What really annoys other road users are the arrogant cyclists who ride two abreast on busy roads where it is impossible to over take them safely causing large tailbacks and alot of bad feeling towards cyclists. We live in a rural area where tractors frequent the road driving at 20mph, if they can pull in to laybys to let traffic go past a cyclist can get out of the way
'I wish! - we were cycling to a lake' (Homer Simpson)
This makes sense to me a and is my strategy. The last thing I want is a car up my censored for longer than necessary. I won't stop or change my speed to assist them but I will always go single file to make it easier for them.
In my experience that is exactly what people do, certainly on my club rides. If we are two abreast and a car is behind we just call to single out. However, many motorists seem to get irate when we are two abreast on a two lane road because they can't force their way past when there is oncoming traffic. That's exactly why we ride two abreast - we don't want them forcing their way past as there isn't sufficient width for them to do so safely even when single file.
I think you should consider changing your speed to assist the larger vehicles - eg, approaching a climb - if you ease up a bit before the climb then the HGV can get past you before you get to the climb - he gets to carry on and you get to climb without an HGV up your saddlebag ...
Or, you're nearing the top of a climb - large vehicle has caught you (no surprise there) but cannot safely overtake - if you put in a massive effort to increase your speed to the top then the driver can see that and (usually) appreciates you trying not to hold them up.
As you suggest ... it is just a matter of considering fellow road users