Top Gear's Matt LeBlanc: Cycling in London "seems like a death sentence"

I don't see what the issue is here

LeBlanc says “It’s when there are three or four of them, side-by-side so they can chat – but they don’t move out of the way. That’s frustrating."

Highway code, Rule 66 says "You should never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends."

So here LeBlanc is being more tolerant that the Highway code as I assume that most roads in London could be considered "busy roads".

LeBlanc says "I maybe give a tap on the horn like, ‘Beep-beep! Come on, move over!’,”

Highway Code Rule 112 says "The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence."

So here is looks like LeBlanc is using his horn within the guidance of the Highway Code. When I come across a group of pedestrians on the river/park/canal path walking more then 2 abreast I am likely to ding my bell to alert them to my aproaching presence, don't see how this is any different.

LeBlanc says that cycling in London “seems like a death sentence”

Does anyone disagree that the inner city infrastructure and attitudes to cyclists are creating something along these lines? Certainly the KSI statistics for London do not seem to indicate that his statement is not without grounds. Note that he does not say what is to blame, only that it “seems like a death sentence”.

Ffs, can we all just get along with each other? 

I drive, I ride. I am considerate to cyclists when I'm in the car. I'd like some consideration when I'm pedalling, and I usually get it.

My children just ride, please be considerate to them too.

Ffs, can we all just get along with each other? 

I drive, I ride. I am considerate to cyclists when I'm in the car. I'd like some consideration when I'm pedalling, and I usually get it.

My children just ride, please be considerate to them too.

This is very weak sauce. Doesn't Mr. TheWhite know that he needs to be a lot more immoderate if he wants to create enough controversy to draw back the fans of Mr. Clarkson's unsustainable reactionary opinions. Instead of saying he thinks more than two abreast, the limit set by the Highway Code, is annoying, he should've said he thinks cyclists riding two abreast should be shot. Then, when people point out that is incitement to violence, he'd then be able to claim it was all a joke, and the PC brigade have no sense of humour, and that if people agree they should tune in next Sunday for more merry japery from him and his other overgrown infant co-hosts.

Cheers for that Joey, very wisdomous.

Rather than beeping to acknowledge moving over, which even not done in aggressive manner does somewhat annoy, as the horn is often used to be aggressive, I would prefer the left right indicator thing which HGV drivers tend to do on motorways to say thanks.  Ta.

Yeah. riding out single file if there's more than say three of you doesn't add up, the old thinking of singling out really isn't helping most of the time, in far too many instances it encourages close passes or overtakes on bends, which is why the HC is massively out of date on this and creates the problem of motorists and police getting irate or doing sod all when incidents do happen.

I've done the double short beep to get attention of peds to wave them across so that they are out of harms way and no longer needing consideration, it's often far easier/safer for all simply to slow down when you spot that you're potentially posing a hazard to other road users and allow them to progress, it removes the uncertainty of the situation particularly if there are children present.

Beeping a cyclist, hmmm, not sure on that, it'd have to be a very specific circumstance, wait a few seconds and things tend to right themselves even if the person in front (who has priority in any case) isn't following what you interpret as the rules of the road. It's still encumbent on you as the one posing the threat of harm to make sure they are safe even if they aren't exactly adhering, two wrongs never makes a right and all that.

Yes there are going to be instances of people on bikes in high density areas such as London that share roads with motors where there may occasionally be some 4 abreastness going on, more so at light intersections where people are going/setting off at different speeds.

It's in these situations that highlights the need for either segregated infra or simply making the route one way only for motorists and using the other lane for bi-directional cycling, particularly on through roads. The other alternate is simply to wait for those on bikes to do what they are doing and then get past when it's safe because it's pretty rare for the 3-4 abreast thing to remain so after a few seconds of people sorting themselves out.

Or you could just ditch the motor altogether or go on the MOTOR Way, just a thought.

They should have stuck him in that Tesla car and launched him - perhaps he could have found a world that suits his antedeluvian ideas.

I find the moderate hum of an engine not being revved, brakes not under pressure and a presence not right on my shoulder feels like a polite notification; I then move over accordingly...

F**k right off, you aggressive jerk.

Hardly a particularly controversial statement is it.

One of the local cycling clubs occasionally holds more relaxed cycles for the less sporty cyclists, I've seen them cycling three or four abreast on country roads a couple times (not a single lane, only just wide enough for two cars). That annoys me.

Makes it very difficult for me to pass them on my bicycle, let alone a car. All it requires is a bit of common sense - from all road users (horse riders, tractors, cyclists - whatever).

Driverless cars too much like taxis? I'd love a driverless car! Means on my 40 minute cross-city commute, I could sit back and relax. Also means I could have a couple drinks with my friends before going home.

If you're more than 2 abreast you are inconsiderate and not sharing the road. It would be impossible to overtake safely at any distance if cyclists are 3 abreast on a 2 lane road, which while not a motivating factor in everything about cycling, is a motivating factor if you're being polite.

How many times do you get annoyed in a rush walking on the pavement behind a group trundling along occupying the whole width?

I'm with Matt on this one. Maybe the article could be updated to show how 3 or more abreast is going against recommended practice?

We should all be grateful he’s raising awareness of he poor infrastructure and too many cars and lorries on the streets of central London, which makes cycling there appear dangerous to him

Oh no! I’m commenting on a click-bait article about a click-bait interview with the star of a show intent on offending everyone! ...

That turns out to be quite sensible. 

Cycling in London can be dangerous

riding more than 2 abreast is annoying for everyone else. 

Nothing to see here, except:

"Matt LeBlanc, who replaced Jeremy Clarkson as Top Gear host in 2016" - no he didn't!

"LeBlanc went on to say that he has a problem with people..."

I read that to be a bike was mentioned and he deflected about 15 questions relating to bikes before actually answering one...

I'm not entirely sure what was wrong with what he said? London IS a dangerous place to cycle and when I come up behind cyclists that are two or three abreast and they don't move, it' pisses me off too! When I'm out riding next to someone and I notice a car coming, I pull in line to try and make it easier for it to pass. It takes no time or effort so I'm not sure why people don't do it?

Driver admits cyclists cycling illegally i.e. more than 2 abreast annoy him and then goes on to confess he doesn't then drive into them as a result of his annoyance.

As a cyclist I'd also like to admit that cyclists cycling illegally also annoy me and I also don't ride into them however I will, in the absence of a horn, verbally remind them of cycling no more than two abreast as I pass them.

Some of the comments on here come across a bit too touchy including the comment cited by Duncan Dollimore. At least Leblanc acknowledges  that two abreast is ok, and who does not get irritated when there is more than two abreast and they do not line up to let a car go passed ? If I was a non cyclist with an attitude problem against cyclists, some of the comments on here would reaffirm my prejudices against cyclists. And I do not watch Topgear or any other car show with Middle Aged presenters having repeated the same content for the last 20 years .....

I really can't see what the fuss is about here.

I've cycled in London a handful of times and it is pretty daunting in places. To a non cyclist it probably does seem terrifying.

If you're cycling 3 or 4 abreast it is polite to let people pass.

As for the driverless cars comment, I think most people would prefer to be in a taxi for their utility driving. Very few people actually drive for leisure.