Comments on: Cycling Two Abreast

By: Vicky

Vicky — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 21:26:27 +0000

I’ve been reading up on this when there was a comment on FB this evening regarding cycling groups riding two abreast or more. In this case, there were FOUR riding together which is not using common sense.

Whilst you state this is something drivers of motor vehicles do not mind slowing down occasionally, it can be rather irritating. Especially as the groups ride in pairs in a long group, therefore slowing drivers down and on occasion, having to brake rather sharply. The RTA states@

You MUST NOT

ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner

[Law RTA 1988 sects 24, 26, 28, 29 & 30 as amended by RTA 1991]

When riders are doing this, it is all of the above. I have been advised to report cyclists who are doing this.

Rant over!

Vicky (Responsible Car/Motorbike owner)

By: Nuisance Cyclists or Traffic Calming Measures? | Cycling UK

Nuisance Cyclists or Traffic Calming Measures? | Cycling UK — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:37:18 +0000

[...] Highway code states that cyclists shouldn’t cycle more than ‘cycling two abreast‘ [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:15:24 +0000

It’s almost impossible not to ride two abreast when you’re in a decent sized bunch. As with anything, it’s common sense. If you’re on a tiny lane, and riding two abreast means you’re taking up the whole lane, rather don’t do it.

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:23:24 +0000

Highway code paragraph 66 states that you should never ride more than two abreast. However, the use of the word should, rather than must means that it is guidance rather than an legal requirement; as far as I could find riding 3 or 4 up is therefore not illegal, just not advised.

For me, one of the main reasons for me for cycling two abreast is that I find it dissuades motorists from trying to squeeze past where there is insufficient room for a safe pass (as Jonathan R posted).

Riding single-file it is also easier to unconsciously drift left with each car passing which again makes it appealing for drivers to try an unsafe pass. Two abreast effectively ‘takes the lane’ and prevents this.

By: Pipps

Pipps — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:49:15 +0000

Would you please cite the section of the Highway Code which you quoted from?

By: Pipps

Pipps — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:47:37 +0000

I had no idea that two-abreast was legal! Thank you!

By: Jonathan R

Jonathan R — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:18:40 +0000

The Highway Code is not a law. It’s a code of practice. So if you want to escape a charge of dangerous driving, you’d better have a good reason for not complying with the Code. It occurs to me that one good reason would be to prevent car drivers from trying to squeeze past where the road is too narrow to allow two cars and a bike to pass safely.

Great blog, by the way. I’ve only just discovered it.