[AndyIT]

Came across such a group today and wondered what people’s views were. Personally I think they should have split into 2,groups on busier roads.

Topic

[Hirsute]

A child knows this.
Eek !
A child knows this.
Eek !

[quiff]

Yes, you say riding single

Yes, you say riding single file is inconsiderate; but I’m pointing out that Rule 66 specifically suggests the opposite, and that far from being selfish, they may actually have thought they were doing the considerate thing:  

You should… be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups. You can ride two abreast and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders. Be aware of drivers behind you and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so 

Now obviously you were going to wait until you could cross the centre line to overtake, which I applaud, and in that case doubling up would arguably be more helpful – but I’m sure there are plenty of cyclists who think that singling out is actually the more considerate option to following drivers.   

[AndyIT]

I said early on it’s perectly

I said early on it’s perectly legal but also inconsiderate. If none of the cyclists were drivers then I can see how they might not undestand but that seems a little unlikely to be honest. Yes they could stop but by splitting into 2 groups they won’t need to.

[quiff]

Both seem inferior to

Both seem inferior to scenario 3 to me – ride two abreast, thus maintaining both the group size the cyclists want and the group length to give drivers opportunity to overtake. 

However, while I wouldn’t say riding 15 in single file is good roadcraft, have you considered that, while you thought this was selfish, perhaps they genuinely thought they were being considerate following the letter of the Highway Code:

“Be aware of drivers behind you and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so”    

[Adam Sutton]

Nah mate after twenty years
Nah mate after twenty years of using southeastern I really don’t need your input.

[lesterama]

I’ve been stuck behind a

I’ve been stuck behind a large chaotic group once or twice, for about five minutes. Not the most annoying, but I would expect any group who knew what they were doing to go side by side or split into smaller groups. The last time, the leader looked embarrassed when they finally organised to let me pass.

[AndyIT]

Overtaking 8 v 15 makes a big

Overtaking 8 v 15 makes a big big difference. Having 15 individual cyclists would be worse for both the cyclists & car drivers.

 

[hawkinspeter]

AndyIT wrote:

Do you drive?. scenairo 1 – 15 cyclists in a line make any safe overtaking impossible for a couple of miles; scenario 2 – cyclists split in into 2 groups allowing for some safe overtaking earlier on – cyclists reach their destination at pretty much the same time. Bit surprised you needed me to explain this, think a child would get it. 

Seems contrived to me. Overtaking 8 cyclists is hardly much difference to overtaking 15 cyclists assuming you leave suitable space. Meanwhile, splitting 15 cyclists into 2 groups means that you’ve got two cyclists at the front which is a more tiring position to take along with reduced aerodynamics for the two groups. Logically, if two groups of cyclists are better than one group, then shouldn’t you be wanting them to separate entirely into 15 individuals?

[AndyIT]

Do you drive?. 

Do you drive?. scenairo 1 – 15 cyclists in a line make any safe overtaking impossible for a couple of miles; scenario 2 – cyclists split in into 2 groups allowing for some safe overtaking earlier on – cyclists reach their destination at pretty much the same time. Bit surprised you needed me to explain this, think a child would get it. 

[AndyIT]

driving as per cycling is a

driving as per cycling is a personal choice…

I have explained above.

[hawkinspeter]

AndyIT wrote:

Do you drive?. 

No, should I?

[AndyIT]

I don’t know where Mr angry

I don’t know where Mr angry comes in; I never mentioned being angry – it was just an observation of inconsiderate cycling (I have only been to one club but they were always very considerate to other road users).

Where does the Daily Mail come into the picture? Sounds like you are projecting that anyone ever so slightly critical of cyclist behaviour must be a Daily Mail reader.

I cycle and drive (though not at the same time) and try to be considerate with both.

[AndyIT]

it’s not hard to understand

it’s not hard to understand (just see previous comments – imagine you wanted to cross a queue of people at e.g. a checkout – most peole will let someone go through a queue rather than making them walk around) but some cyclists can’t be bothered to be considerate just as some car drivers can’t either….  I get it. 

[hawkinspeter]

AndyIT wrote:

it’s not hard to understand (just see previous comments) but some cyclists can’t be bothered to be considerate just as some car drivers can’t either….  I get it. 

Well 15 cyclists in a single file is legal as is 15 cars in a single file – legality is irrelevant to the question.

What cyclist behaviour would you think to be considerate and why is a single file not considerate?

[David9694]

Ever stopped to think WHY

Ever stopped to think WHY public transport is so poor these days? Happy to enlighten you if necc. 

[Author]

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