Police have waded in on a debate about cycling on roads after broadcaster Jeremy Vine argued cyclists should ride '2, 3 and 4 abreast', having posted a video on Twitter to demonstrate his point.
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Vine, who is a keen cyclist, posted the video of four people cycling alongside each other as he travelled in a car behind them - stressing he was not behind the wheel as he filmed.
"Sunday morning in the country," he can be heard saying in the clip.
"Absolutely no problem with this at all. Exactly how cyclists should ride."
In the caption, he explained the reasons behind his stance, writing: "People who cycle in the country should be encouraged to ride 2, 3 and 4 abreast like this. For the following reasons:
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"1. It calms the traffic behind them.
"2. It makes it less easy for bad drivers to attempt dangerous passes.
"3. It is more pleasant and sociable for them."
The tweet prompted a huge debate online, having racked up thousands of comments, likes and retweets, with one person writing: "Is this some kind of joke? Cyclists should not block the road like this. It's extremely dangerous. This is one of the many things that gives cyclists such a bad name It doesn't calm the traffic, it makes it more dangerous to try and overtake, and i'ts a road not a nice picnic."
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There were even some veteran cyclists who were against Vine's comments, including one who said: "I've been a cyclist for 50 years. This is idiotic and you're an idiot. Packs of cyclists who have no awareness or respect for other users deserve to be abused by other road users. Car drivers are constantly making allowances for dangerous cyclists."
Later in the thread, Vine shared advice previously posted by Surrey Police's Roads Policing Unit (RPU), tagging the account.
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After someone criticised the 'b****y stupid idea', Surrey Police's RPU replied: "But it isn't a narrow road in the video shown.
"No driver should need to get angry in those circumstances. Anyone can pass very easily and safely.
"Drivers and riders have to take each section of road as they find it and adjust accordingly; being safe and courteous."
Many people pointed at the Highway Code in the UK, which states that cyclists shouldn't be any more than two abreast at any one time.
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However, Vine isn't referring to how cyclists should behave on the highway and is instead talking about quiet country roads.
The Highway Code states that cyclists 'should never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends' - which is advice rather than a legal requirement.
To cement his point, Vine also referred to a tweet from the West Midlands Police Traffic Investigations Unit, which said: "It's not the responsibility of the road user ahead to facilitate a safe overtake by the user behind.
"They will drive/ride to ensure their own safety and use a road position to suit or deter danger. You adapt your driving/riding plan accordingly, they don't change to suit yours."
Last month, the Department for Transport announced that the Highway Code is being updated to include a hierarchy of road users, so that those who 'can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others'.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Jeremy Vine