2 Abreast cycling is simply not safe.

[summerdays]

I was "stuck" behind a group of cyclists last weekend, they were mostly in single file with just a couple doubled up, and I waited for quite some time before I felt it was safe to pass such a long line of cyclists.... I actually wished they were two abreast. But it was fine.... I waited, as did the cars behind, for a mile or so until it was a clear long stretch and no one beeped or got stressed out.

I'd have also waited and driven at the same speed if it was a tractor in front as well.

 

[MichaelW2]

The universally observed reaction of drivers is to give cyclists the room that they give themselves. Ride in the gutter and cars won't move out for you. Ride a little way out and cars pass a little further out. Ride in a primary position and cars give you plenty of clearance.
If you are in a group and riding two abreast, cars will give you the clearance they give to other cars, driving in the opposite lane. The group they pass is half the length making for a safer overtake. To suggest that cars passing two abreast will be dangerously close is a hypothetical case, not borne out by experience

 

[jefmcg]

You should give a cyclist as much room as a car.
.

looks like the cyclist is getting more room than a sedan would.

(your road is too narrow is the problem.)

 

[Brandane]

View attachment 143326

looks like the cyclist is getting more room than a sedan would.

(your road is too narrow is the problem.)

That'll be what I was trying to explain, verbally, but being somewhat lacking in the necessary techie skills to make it clear and simple .

 

[jefmcg]

That'll be what I was trying to explain, verbally, but being somewhat lacking in the necessary techie skills to make it clear and simple .

Yes, i know one or two people had made the point upthread. I would have quoted you, but once I had done the picture I wanted to upload is ASAP before someone else did a better one than me

 

[Racing roadkill]

I've had to actually point this out from the passenger seat of a car before now. One overtake of 2 cyclists 2 abreast, closely followed by having to overtake a tractor. Guess who got more room / less horn?

 

[Profpointy]

on a two lane road it makes no difference. Well, striclty speaking it's easier if they're two abreast as they are ahorter as it were. If road is 1.5 cars wide then single file is easier (providong it's clear) - ditto a two lane raod with 1.5 car wide lanes

 

[Drago]

Going by the OPs illustration, it is impossible for a car to overtake another car and leave enough clearance for there to be a 'safe pass'. Therefore, when out in his car I expect the OP to practice what he preaches and refrain from overtaking any vehicle at all unless he can maintain 5' of clearance.

 

[steveindenmark]

When your riding 2 abreast along a road, as I do with Jannie. It takes no effort at all for Jannie to slow down a fraction and for me to speed up a fraction and get in front of her when we hear a car coming up from behind. We have been riding together over 10 years and so it is automatic for us now.

I think we prefer to ride in single file most of the time anyway. Its nice to concentrate on your own thoughts and not chat endlessly about nothing.

 

[Southside Mike]

The outside rider in a two is always going to positon him/herself such that they are comfortable with the distance they are from oncoming traffic. As long as the overtaking car pulls into the opposite lane the clearance will be at least the same.

The OP is simply wrong on this.

 

[Dirk]

.......
A car isnt a vunerable road user. Its not going to topple over.........

Neither will a bicycle, unless it's stationary.

 

[Apollonius]

Neither will a bicycle, unless it's stationary.

Or you hit a hole that throws you off.

 

[coffeejo]

Neither will a bicycle, unless it's stationary.

Or being ridden up a steep hill. DAHIK.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I actually wish car drivers would give me a polite pip on their horn as they approached from behind to let me know they'd like to pass.

Define a polite pip as opposed to I'm coming through no matter what pip. And am not referring to the prolonged blast on the horn for the latter.

Personally I dislike being pipped however friendly friends and family thought it was. I have asked them if they see me then to give me a friendly wave when they're passed if they wish to acknowledge me.


I'm also a tad puzzled by the implication you not be aware of the vehicle behind you and; assuming you don't ride everywhere at speed limit + constantly; why you would be in any doubt that their intention is to get by you.

Even if awaiting a safe point to do so or you pulling in a tad or waving them on to indicate you are comfortable with them going by you at that point, I just don't get why you would feel the need to be beeped at.

 

[Dirk]

Or you hit a hole that throws you off.

The same hole that made a car swerve into you, to avoid it?
Poor road surfaces affect all road users.

Or being ridden up a steep hill. DAHIK.

Lack of forward motion?