Police officer caught on camera telling cyclists to ride in single file to be given "education around traffic offences"

Please read Highway Code rule 213.

If you've got any more questions after that, fire away ...

In many countries it is simply illegal, and it makes sense to me, since in many roads, two opposing driving cars and a cyclist could squeeze in an emergency, whereas this would be impossible with two cyclists riding abreast. Yes, I know the driver shouldn't overtake and so on, but in this site there is a daily video of close pass, so we have to be realist.

I never ride abreast, even when touring at very low volume roads (1 car per 5mins), albeit in a country that it is actually illegal. Even if it was legal, I would avoid it too, but to be honest, I am a commuter mostly, I don't ride for recreation with other people.

Which countries ?

Here a brief guide https://www.cyclingweekly.com/routes/overseas/can-cyclist-legally-not-eu... but maybe not that clear e.g. here it is says it is forbidden at all cases http://bicyclegermany.com/german_bicycle_laws.html . Here also for the US https://iamtraffic.org/advocacy-focus-areas/equality/u-s-bicycle-laws-by... . In many cases if two abreast block vehicle traffic they have to go single file, but I am afraid to go two abreast even in low volume roads.

cyclisto wrote:

In many countries it is simply illegal, and it makes sense to me, since in many roads, two opposing driving cars and a cyclist could squeeze in an emergency

It's usually two opposing cars with one trying to squeeze a cyclist that creates an emergency. If there's not enough space for an oncoming vehicle to pass safely you're much better off riding two abreast and making sure the temptation for them to risk an unsafe pass is removed.

But this isn't many countries; this is the UK where is is permitted.

Stop posting irrelivences

cbrndc wrote:

But this isn't many countries; this is the UK where is is permitted.

Stop posting irrelivences

I think you're replying to the wrong person, cbrndc...   I think it was cyclisto who was bringing up none UK situations.

cbrndc wrote:

But this isn't many countries; this is the UK where is is permitted.

Stop posting irrelivences

The bit in the grey box is the section of the other person's post to which one is replying, it's not my post.

cyclisto wrote:

In many countries it is simply illegal, and it makes sense to me, since in many roads, two opposing driving cars and a cyclist could squeeze in an emergency, whereas this would be impossible with two cyclists riding abreast... 

If there is an emergency in this country, the vehicle in question generally has an audible siren and flashing blue lights. Generally, other road users get out of the way as soon as it is safe to do so.

It should be like that, but unfortunately it doesn't happen. and if you are on tight blind left (right in most countries) turn, and you have a drunk/speedy,bad eyesight rider on your back, it is very easy for an emergency to happen. I have no intention to become a cycling martyr.

Whether you are riding two abreast or single file, then your scenario would probably turn you into a cycling martyr. 

cyclisto wrote:

It should be like that, but unfortunately it doesn't happen. and if you are on tight blind left (right in most countries) turn, and you have a drunk/speedy,bad eyesight rider on your back, it is very easy for an emergency to happen. I have no intention to become a cycling martyr.

It really doesn't matter if it's a left/right bend or a straight as an arrow road if you have an irresponsible motorist behind or ahead.

giff77 wrote:

It really doesn't matter if it's a left/right bend or a straight as an arrow road if you have an irresponsible motorist behind or ahead.

Just trying to reduce probabilities. I can exchange a chat for staying alive.

giff77 wrote:

And yet in many countries it is recommended to only pass when safe to do so regardless of the positioning of the cyclists. You've highlighted NMOTD. If you follow you will see that 99% of the cyclists are solo. All in varying road positions. Yet they've all been subject to irresponsible passes be it deliberate impatience of simple inattentiveness. So pairing up has no bearing on the matter. In fact it is easier to pass paired up cyclists than it is to pass those singled out. Cycling is also a social activity. Do you expect people to cycle 50 miles plus with no conversation? If this is the case I hope when driving you and your passengers take a vow of silence as distracting a driver is pretty dangerous. 

Solo riders are much more than groups, so more likely to create any kind of road incident video. Of course there are bad drivers, so just try to get protected from them

I have cycled 50miles plus in line with a friend, admitelly not very easy to communicate, but we socialise in the after ride food and beers. The cars comparison is not very good unless you imagine pairs of motorcycles or cars driving abreast and chatting.

cyclisto wrote:

Solo riders are much more than groups, so more likely to create any kind of road incident video.

I'm sorry, I'm struggling to understand what this means.

GMBasix wrote:

cyclisto wrote:

Solo riders are much more than groups, so more likely to create any kind of road incident video.

I'm sorry, I'm struggling to understand what this means.

Sorry, *much more "common"*, I forgot a word, luckily giff77 understood it.

@giff77 I would like to chat more efficiently when touring (raising voice in a tight uphill with a laden bicycle is no easy, especially for a lazy guy like me), but not a real dealbreaker. But I really feel unsafe, as many small **** drivers that want to speed to boost their ego, will simply not have predicted for a practically immobile item and no space to avoid it. So better single file...

And again. Those same drivers will continue to drive with impunity towards people who cycle whether they are solo or not. Daily I contend with a minority of drivers who pretty much treat other road users with contempt as well as dealing with those who have forgotten how to drive. Until authorities start to deal with these drivers nothing much change. 

cyclisto wrote:

giff77 wrote:

It really doesn't matter if it's a left/right bend or a straight as an arrow road if you have an irresponsible motorist behind or ahead.

Just trying to reduce probabilities. I can exchange a chat for staying alive.

giff77 wrote:

And yet in many countries it is recommended to only pass when safe to do so regardless of the positioning of the cyclists. You've highlighted NMOTD. If you follow you will see that 99% of the cyclists are solo. All in varying road positions. Yet they've all been subject to irresponsible passes be it deliberate impatience of simple inattentiveness. So pairing up has no bearing on the matter. In fact it is easier to pass paired up cyclists than it is to pass those singled out. Cycling is also a social activity. Do you expect people to cycle 50 miles plus with no conversation? If this is the case I hope when driving you and your passengers take a vow of silence as distracting a driver is pretty dangerous. 

Solo riders are much more than groups, so more likely to create any kind of road incident video. Of course there are bad drivers, so just try to get protected from them

I have cycled 50miles plus in line with a friend, admitelly not very easy to communicate, but we socialise in the after ride food and beers. The cars comparison is not very good unless you imagine pairs of motorcycles or cars driving abreast and chatting.

Of course it's easier for solo riders to use a camera as it will be the only evidence available. At least on a group ride there will be any number of witnesses even then some will be using a camera.

I struggle to understand stand why you would go out and pretty much not socialise with your mate on a lengthy cycle. As I've said. Cycling is social. I've been out solo and had others pull alongside or I've caught up with and we have a chat before going own way. I'm not sure how it goes in the US but here in Blighty it's recommended to pair up as it is a defensive form of road craft and you only single out when traffic builds up behind. 
 

In the U.K. drivers have always been taught they have a responsibility to show care, consideration and courtesy to others and especially vulnerable road users. This has now been re-emphasised with the new wording and clearer hierarchy of users as those values of the road have pretty much gone to the wayside over the years. 

Group cyclists have been discounted as witnesses by the CPS. In a bizarre interpretation of law, they have determined that as a group of cyclists know each other, they cannot act as a witness to events. Imagine if there was a jewel theft, and only the assistant assaulted was allowed to make a statement as all the other assistants were known to the victim.

And yet in many countries it is recommended to only pass when safe to do so regardless of the positioning of the cyclists. You've highlighted NMOTD. If you follow you will see that 99% of the cyclists are solo. All in varying road positions. Yet they've all been subject to irresponsible passes be it deliberate impatience of simple inattentiveness. So pairing up has no bearing on the matter. In fact it is easier to pass paired up cyclists than it is to pass those singled out. Cycling is also a social activity. Do you expect people to cycle 50 miles plus with no conversation? If this is the case I hope when driving you and your passengers take a vow of silence as distracting a driver is pretty dangerous. 

stephensfone wrote:

Why do some cyclists insist on riding 2 abreast?

Why do car drivers typically insist on lugging 3 empty seat around with them?  Takes up far more road space than cyclists riding two abreast.

Because it is safer, why do you drive a large car, not because you can carry more but it is safer from other idiot drives or you tip it over yourself on a bend or the odd roundabout?

Which police force was it that wouldn't do close pass operations because it would be too dangerous for the officers who would have to ride a bike on the road?

Which police force was it that wouldn't do close pass operations because it would be too dangerous for the officers who would have to ride a bike on the road?
Worcestershire I think, or the female inspector who made the decision was from around Worcester. Maybe it was WMP

https://bikeworcester.org.uk/2020/09/close-pass-too-dangerous-say-police/

Awavey wrote:

https://bikeworcester.org.uk/2020/09/close-pass-too-dangerous-say-police/

"South Worcestershire Policing Commander Steph Brighton has said that her force will not be placing plain clothes officers on bicycles to catch motorists that overtake too closely. “The risk is too great,” she tweeted on September 14.

“I cannot deliberately put officers at risk,” added Superintendent Brighton."

I don't know if i should be elated that a Policing Commander recognises the danger drivers put us in, or devastated that they don't do something about it!

Clearly they're not riding in plain clothes - as opposed to lycra / hi-vis - because then drivers would spot they weren't "cyclists". If they spotted them at all of course...