the argument that it’s ‘nicer’ and ‘more courteous’ for cyclists to pull over is utterly misleading.
It suggests cyclists are somehow second-class citizens
It’s less safe for the cyclist, driver and the driver or cyclist coming the other way.
And as i’ve said numerous times ^^, those who are arguing that point, go and ride the road a few times and experience for yourself what happens when drivers pass you.
There’s a reason I ride primary position and it’s entirely about safety and bitter, bitter experience. If I stop doing this as you suggest, there’s a strong risk my family and friends will be standing around in anguish at my funeral. Please go and get some road riding experience instead of circulating the myth that primary position or two abreast are somehow morally wrong or selfish. It’s not middle aged men playing games, it’s a matter of life and death (no exaggeration)
For cyclists to be taking such a position shows how deeply ingrained these dangerous beliefs are.
And OP, seriously, you’ve wound a few of us up on here, I wouldn’t do this face to face – it’s a very emotive issue amongst regular commuters and road riders and you need to have some empathy for that.
Someone in that group may well know someone injured or killed by a car driver and may not take too kindly to your points.