Doubling Up On Road

[freecyclist]

Have you actually ridden?

You can ride in the approved (CycleCraft) manner and be treated with complete courtesy and care by some motorists and be treated with disdain, abused and dangerously by others who think they are (wrongly) right.

99% of motorists are unaware of why experienced cyclists are taking a particular line in the interests of his/her safety and the driver's paintwork. Some will trust the cyclist, others will abuse the cyclist. Abuse is just something you have to live with. Explaining things to them/you is just a waste of time.

IMHO abuse is never justified no matter what your perceived view of the other road user - but that's another discussion.

Well i agree with you on that at least.

 

[freecyclist]

If the other lane is blocked then it's unsafe to pass. This is where it become the cyclists decision to slow and allow other road users through if they deem is safe enough to do so.

So ; cyclist (solo or single file group) riding in secondary.
No oncoming traffic.
Parked cars encroaching onto opposite lane.
car cannot overtake completely in opposite lane but could comfortable overtake one third in cyclists lane and 2 thirds opposite lane.
Can the car go past ?

 

[freecyclist]

I'm bored.

Freecyclist, can you sum up your stance on riding > 1 abreast (if that exists) and your reasons why you have taken such stance?

1 abreast because theres only 1 of me.

 

[adscrim]

So ; cyclist (solo or single file group) riding in secondary.
No oncoming traffic.
Parked cars encroaching onto opposite lane.
car cannot overtake completely in opposite lane but could comfortable overtake one third in cyclists lane and 2 thirds opposite lane.
Can the car go past ?

The question isn't can the car go past but rather should the car go past. There being enough room for a car to fit through should not be the only consideration. Respect should be given to the cyclist as a road user of equal right.

 

[Origamist]

It appears that the only pedals freecyclist presses are the accelerator and clutch.

This thread is too tempting- we need a Bonfire of the Vanities...Come on mods, let's close this down

 

[freecyclist]

[QUOTE 1588417"]
You have an attitude problem with groups of cyclists, despite it being pointed out that 6 on the road is little different to 12 on the road, and that passing 2 abreast is easier than passing 2 in a line. Your problem with the latter example can only be your attitude and your wrong perception.

You accuse TC of having a poor riding style based on her attitude towards the issues we're discussing.
[/quote]

No i expressed concern that tc was getting intimidated because of her riding style.
By "You have an attitude problem with groups of cyclists" do you mean because i have questioned the practice ?
So does questioning anything mean an attitude problems ?

 

[freecyclist]

The question isn't can the car go past but rather should the car go past. There being enough room for a car to fit through should not be the only consideration. Respect should be given to the cyclist as a road user of equal right.

Ok so should the car go past.
If i drove i think i would probably be tempted to go past very carefully.

 

[Dan B]

1 abreast because theres only 1 of me.

And apparently no friends

 

[Dave Davenport]

Freecycle;

I was leading a club run of about 15 cyclists a couple of weeks ago, we were riding in a pairs along a wide country road when a car drew level with the front of the group and drove next to us for about 20 seconds with the passenger leaning out of the window shouting that he was a cyclist and we were 'giving cyclists a bad name' by not riding in single file. He declined my invitation to get out of his car and continue the conversation.

Was that you?

 

[freecyclist]

Freecycle;

I was leading a club run of about 15 cyclists a couple of weeks ago, we were riding in a pairs along a wide country road when a car drew level with the front of the group and drove next to us for about 20 seconds with the passenger leaning out of the window shouting that he was a cyclist and we were 'giving cyclists a bad name' by not riding in single file. He declined my invitation to get out of his car and continue the conversation.

Was that you?

No.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

I have ridden in a group quite a few times and almost every time there is a car behind on a narrow road, the call goes out down the group to move over.

Not really sure where you get the idea that all groups are some kind of road-blocking gang of hoodlums.

 

[adscrim]

Ok so should the car go past.
If i drove i think i would probably be tempted to go past very carefully.

The car should not go past unless it's safe to do so. It there is barely enough room, a car creeping past can be more unsettling than one screeming past - and the screemer is unsettling enough.

May I ask the question in a different way - a motorist, lets say a car driver, is progressing along a street narrowed by parked cars and other non descript street furniture. The motorist closes in on a slower moving vehicle ahead, lets say a lovely old lady in her Micra. There is enough room to fit both cars through but it would mean getting close ebough to adjust the car in fronts wing mirrors. Should the car behind go through?

Edit - are you saying you don't drive?

 

[freecyclist]

And apparently no friends

Ouch dan .
I expected someone to reply - thank god for that but i didnt expect it of you.
You look so lovely in your picture.

 

[400bhp]

Lets put this thread into a real life situation.

Car driver = freecyclist

cyclists = the rest of the people on this thread

Situation.

Cycle chat people in a group, riding 2 abreast on a winding country road. Freecycle approaches from behind in a car.

It would go something like this:

Freecycle: beep beep

Group: looks around, no point in moving in single file as would make no difference to perceived overtake

Freecycle: beep beep beep (getting gradually angrier and wound up behind wheel)

...continues for 1/2 mile when road opens up and the opportunity presents itself to overtake safetly

Freecycle then drives past blaring horn and waving fist.

Cycle group shrug shoulders.

This is the thread, drawn out over #204 replies (and counting)

 

[freecyclist]

The car should not go past unless it's safe to do so. It there is barely enough room, a car creeping past can be more unsettling than one screeming past - and the screemer is unsettling enough.

May I ask the question in a different way - a motorist, lets say a car driver, is progressing along a street narrowed by parked cars and other non descript street furniture. The motorist closes in on a slower moving vehicle ahead, lets say a lovely old lady in her Micra. There is enough room to fit both cars through but it would mean getting close ebough to adjust the car in fronts wing mirrors. Should the car behind go through?

No it woudnt / shoudnt.
But the point is that cyclists in secondary would seem to accomodate overtakes that cars in the same situation would not by virtue of there being more space.
Is it ok to go past 1/3 and 2/3 if there seems to be enough room ?