Side by side

[rebelpeter]

Hello all i would like to know if theres a law or your not allowed for two bikers to ride side by side as i see it quite often here, it looks a good idea as least the motorists dont try to sqeeze past you without going over the centre white line. Which most motorists seem afraid or not bother to want to do.

I just wondered if your allowed to ride side by side, when your out with a friend or wife seems a good way to stop motorist trying to sqeeze past.

 

[cyberknight]

Yes you are allowed to ride side by side and in large groups can be helpful as it reduces the amount of time a vehicle is overtaking .Obviously use common sense . if its a narrow road it can be a good idea to drop back into single file to create more space .
Highway code states
"never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends"

 

[cyberknight]

https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82/overview-59-to-71

 

[Bryony]

^^^^ what they said!

 

[summerdays]

But it won't stop motorists having a go at you. They don't think about how long it would take to pass a group of cyclists in a single line, and the fact that there may not be space to pull back in safely if there was a car coming the opposite direction.

 

[50000tears]

Should add that even when cycling alone you should not be so close to the gutter that you are getting overtaken without drivers having to pass the centre line. Always give yourself room and force drivers to consider and pass safely rather than giving them the option of a close squeeze by.

 

[Hip Priest]

Should add that even when cycling alone you should not be so close to the gutter that you are getting overtaken without drivers having to pass the centre line. Always give yourself room and force drivers to consider and pass safely rather than giving them the option of a close squeeze by.

Yes. On an average road, I ride where the left hand wheels pf a car would be. That's a good rule of thumb.

 

[sidevalve]

Remember that on many roads however the lanes are wide enough to safely pass one cyclist width and still have room for another car coming in the opposite deirection ie without crossing the centreline.. Therefore the length of the row of bikes is irrelevant but the width is [if the road is a twisty and a simple overtake of two bike widths into the oncoming lane is risky]. Despite what many seem to believe the motorist also has the right to go about his business without being delayed simply because you want to chat/race/pace yourself with your buddy. After all how would you feel if some car driver pulled in front of you and then tootled along at 9mph preventing you from getting past and getting to work ?.
However here's a problem, I met a couple of lads yesterday riding side by side [OK I was in the car] But as I came up behind they fell back into single file. I got passed easily and we all carried on aur merry way - great. I wanted to say "cheers lads" but how ?
I expect a bit of flak for this but I believe everyone has the righ to use the roads and I hate arogant cyclists as much as arogant drivers - respect needs to go BOTH ways [I admit it often doesn't but that doesn't excuse stupidity in either direction].

 

[summerdays]

I often ride side by side with a friend and then revert to single as necessary. Obviously at the lights that is one place that you take up a lot less room if you are not single file (unless you are sitting in the gutter).

 

[youngoldbloke]

Perfectly legal - see highway code. (But never 3 abreast). Standard procedure if the road accommodates it. We are often in a group of 8 -12, riding 2 abreast, and unless on a generously wide road, will single up on hearing 'car up' shouted from the back of the group. On busy A roads we will ride in single file, split into two or more groups. If just two of us, default position is 2 abreast, reverting to single file as necessary. Make a point of acknowledging drivers who give us plenty of room, give way on narrow lanes, etc etc. Makes life safer and more pleasant for all.

 

[Dragonwight]

So what about a cyclist overtaking 2 cyclists riding side by side is that legal?

 

[50000tears]

I don't think any right minded person would advocate taking up the whole road unnecessarily to slow other traffic down. But riding in a strong position is about looking after yourself on the road and helps a lot in preventing close passes.

Like others have said if I am riding two abreast I would always move to single file if a vehicle comes up behind me.

 

[50000tears]

As I said, there are times when the front riders in a group can see situations developing that a following vehicle will not be able to see. So yes, sometimes it is necessary to 'take up the whole road' for everyone's safety and it isn't good practice to single out automatically at the approach of a car.

Sorry never ridden in a group, only ever as a two at best, so no experience of this. Thanks though.

 

[rebelpeter]

Wow that was a great response and very helpful thank you all, i never knew it was legal to ride side by side thats great, i daresay id get a few moaners but i do understand now i can ride next to the wife as long as the roads not to narrow or not too busy, here im in a very rural place not much traffic at all and some roads are not that narrow.
Many thanks . . .

 

[swansonj]

... Despite what many seem to believe the motorist also has the right to go about his business without being delayed simply because you want to chat/race/pace yourself with your buddy.

What is this "right" you speak of? Methinks you have bought into the prevalent, but erroneous, motorist mindset. A motorist may have a wish or an expectation not to be delayed, but I can't think of any sense in which it becomes a right.