3 abreast, 4 abreast, 5 abreast more?

qwert_yuiop

As a hard core money saver, I cycle to work every day that I don!!!8217;t have to go long distance, meaning I usually do 20 or 30 miles per week. I!!!8217;ve been doing this since I was eighteen, and before that cycled four miles to school every day. I keep close to the edge, and every time I!!!8217;m with someone I keep to single file.
In recent years, the roads have been taken over by born again bikers in their so hip trendy matching gear, gloves, helmets, the lot, their inexperience obvious from usually the wrong saddle height, with their knees hitting their chins, or their clear choice of the wrong gear when struggling in slopes. And their excessive weight.
But what!!!8217;s this four and five abreast nonsense? What kind of greed and arrogance is needed to hoick the whole road and force the traffic down to 20 mph? I had to look at some overweight bloke!!!8217;splethoric backside for three miles between Gilford and portadown on Saturday morning when I actually had something important to go to, as he rode slowly almost at the white line on an A road. The same happened all the way between Fivemiletown and Clogher the week before. Selfish lighters.
It!!!8217;s plain anti social and it!!!8217;s giving courteous sensible cyclists annoyance.
As a youngster, I was told cycling two abreast was risky, anything more was madness, and I!!!8217;ve stuck to it. What!!!8217;s changed? Perhaps someone could explain.

motorguy

I think its a symptom of the selfishness of people these days in modern society - the world must after all, revolve around them.

Therefore when they're out on the road everyone should just bow down to their needs.

And yes, these people also need told - just because you can fit in to lycra shorts and tops doesnt mean you should or that you do

almillar

I'm not a cyclist. They're meant to cycle in single file. But riding side-to-side, or in the middle of the lane, is a defence mechanism against cars trying to chance a close overtake.
Since you're supposed to leave a car's width, you need to be on the other side of the road anyway, so if it's 1 bike, you're not disadvantaged, apart from any distressing lycra images you're subjected to. Trying to overtake a team of cyclists will be more difficult though, yes. If they would stick to groups around the size of a car, they would be easier and safer to pass.

sysadmin

sigh, here we go again

Cyclists are allowed to cycle two abreast!
Rule 66 states you should never cycle more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads.
(http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837)

and...
http://ukcyclelaws.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-laws-according-to-highway-code.html

and...

motorguy

sysadmin wrote: »

sigh, here we go again

Cyclists are allowed to cycle two abreast!
Rule 66 states you should never cycle more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads.

I dont think the O/P or I said otherwise?

All common courtesy seems to have left (the majority of) cyclists these days in terms of helping to facilitate their being overtaken by faster moving traffic.

qwert_yuiop

sysadmin wrote: »

sigh, here we go again

Cyclists are allowed to cycle two abreast!
Rule 66 states you should never cycle more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads.
(http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837)

and...
http://ukcyclelaws.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-laws-according-to-highway-code.html

and...

So there we have it. Four and more - entitled , arrogant, selfish, greedy - and breaking the law.
Thank you.

Giving the rest of us a bad name.

sysadmin

I’m not sure 5 or even 4 cyclists could safely ride side by side and only occupy a single lane anyway..

But, let’s face it. If they slow you down to 20 mph for a few seconds/minutes.. does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

Are you that busy that you can’t wait for a few minutes..

The problem is that there are way too many impatient and dangerous drivers around that means cyclists have had to learn to protect themselves and make it obvious in places that it’s not safe to overtake.

Oh, and a post further up said “they’re meant to cycle single file” hence the 2 abreast is legal references

qwert_yuiop

sysadmin wrote: »

I!!!8217;m not sure 5 or even 4 cyclists could safely ride side by side and only occupy a single lane anyway..

But, let!!!8217;s face it. If they slow you down to 20 mph for a few seconds/minutes.. does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

Are you that busy that you can!!!8217;t wait for a few minutes..

The problem is that there are way too many impatient and dangerous drivers around that means cyclists have had to learn to protect themselves and make it obvious in places that it!!!8217;s not safe to overtake.

Oh, and a post further up said !!!8220;they!!!8217;re meant to cycle single file!!!8221; hence the 2 abreast is legal references

Actually, yes, I did have an important appointment, and if I had known it was going to take me that long to get there, I would have gone by bike myself. The difference is I would have gone faster, and after I had pulled out far enough to pass my man with the less than beauteous gluteus, I would have pulled in tight again, allowing other road users to get by.
You remember that strange rider strike in the Tour de France years ago when they all rode slowly ? This was similar, albeit a more porky plus-size peloton, and indeed, being our A5, there was space enough for the same pattern.
Sticking to two abreast would have been fine, this being one of the straightest, broadest roads around

belfastgirl23

At least if they are porky they are trying to do something about it!

And having done cycling training a few years ago they advise cycling in the middle of the lane for safety reasons.

Shared space and all that....

guiriman

sysadmin wrote: »

But, let’s face it. If they slow you down to 20 mph for a few seconds/minutes.. does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

Are you that busy that you can’t wait for a few minutes..

Sometimes it does, yes. The Saturday lycra-clad cyclists seem to favour picturesque, country roads. These roads naturally come with plenty of hills and curves so opportunities to safely overtake are somewhat spread out so it can easily be 15 minutes

qwert_yuiop

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

And having done cycling training a few years ago they advise cycling in the middle of the lane for safety reasons.
.

I have no wish to enter a vehicle via the windscreen.