Bike Forum
131
Posts
1
Users
0
Reactions
73
Views
Topic starter
Hi all,
Yesterday I was road cycling with a mate two abreast (as I'd always been taught) on an Argyll road (quite a narrow twisty section) and then we got pulled over by the police (blue lights too) and the policeman told us that it was against the law to cycle two abreast on 'these roads' according to the highway code. I asked if he was lying to me, to which he replied that he wasn't allowed to lie as he was a policeman. I said very well then, apologised because I wasn't aware of this but told him that I didn't agree, feeling it was safer for us to cycle two abreast. He then said that it was very dangerous, especially when cycling in a big bunch, it is a lot better to cycle single file. I had nothing more to say so I apologised once more, said good day and my friend and I continued. The same police car drove back the other way a few miles later and stuck his head out the window and shouted 'nice one' and put his thumb up when he saw us cycling single file up a hill. It was a very amicable exchange.
However, it left me confused because I'd always been taught it safest to take up as much room as a car so over taking means they have to pass you safely. I looked up the highway code and sure enough [url= http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837 ]article 66[/url] states that on narrow, busy and bendy roads single file is best. His point was that if we were two abreast and someone over takes and there's a lorry coming the other way, the car will always pick the cyclists to plough into. If we were single file the car would be able to squeeze past us without hitting the lorry nor the cyclists. I know which I'd prefer.
Now I'm scared about cycling because I don't want to get pulled by the rozzers again but also don't want to have to cycle single file everywhere. I would say that all the roads here are narrow so we can't justify two abreast.
How do you guys roll?
Chris
EDIT: sorry for the rambling. I hope a point is conveyed somewhere.
Posted : 13/02/2012 1:02 pm
