Police Officers Explains Why Cyclists Should Ride In Pairs And Not Single File

Motorists and cyclists often don't quite see eye to eye, and further debate has been sparked between both camps after a police officer explained why it's OK for cyclists to ride two abreast rather than single file. What do you think of this?

If you drive a car, you will know all too well the frustration of trying to safely manoeuvre around a group of bikes.

Conversely, if you are partial to a tootle round on two wheels, you will no doubt have been subjected to a fair bit of abuse from drivers trying to get past you.

So who's right?

Well, according to one police officer, cyclists are well within their rights to ride along two abreast, and he says it actually makes it easier for drivers too.

In a video posted to TikTok by Trust Cycle UK, the officer can be seen standing beside a group of cyclists.

He says: "So we always see a lot of complaints on social media about cyclists riding two abreast.

Trust Cycle UK

"But if you come and have a look at this, it will kind of explain why cyclists do it and why it's better for the car driver that they do, because if you look at the four cyclists here, riding two abreast at the moment, they take up the length of one car.

"But if we move our cyclists into a single file formation, they're now taking up the length of two cars. So the car now has to travel twice as far at least to get round the same number of cyclists.

"But they've still got to come out in order to perform that overtaking manoeuvre, so it's actually more beneficial for the cyclist, and it's more beneficial for the car driver if the cyclists ride two abreast, and the Highway Code says it's absolutely fine for them to do that."

Now, you'd think that would settle the debate, right? Wrong. Not even close.

Since the clip was posted to Twitter, it has led to further disagreement, with many on both sides becoming more entrenched in their views on the topic.

Some drivers argued that riding in pairs means that they would have to come further into the opposite lane to get around them.

While others argued that drivers should only be making a move when it's safe to do so.

Trust Cycle UK

One user said: "This seems clearly untrue. On narrow roads or roads with a lot of oncoming traffic, having cyclists riding two abreast potentially removes any opportunity for a driver behind them to pass.

"This will slow down everyone behind them - not only cars but other cyclists too."

Someone else added: "That's bulls**t. If I come around blind bend there are cyclist side by side there is no chance to avoid them if car going other way."

To which one person pointed out: "Don't drive so bloody fast if you can't stop in time. It's a speed limit, means as fast as you can go IF road dry and clear far open view."

While another said: "I was thought single file was better as a car driver but watching this it does make more sense. It’s OK to be wrong every now and again."

According to the Highway Code, which was altered earlier this year, rule 66 says: "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 (e.g. by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so."

Basically, don't be a dick on the roads and be considerate of everyone.

Topics: UK News

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is LADbible's Editorial Lead. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom