Two Abreast - aggressive British drivers
Discussion
Again… this morning, cycling with my daughter up a hill, two abreast, close together, 2 lane country road unclassified, and some person behind starts intimidating us by sounding horn then aggressively overtakes with passengers shouting at us to get out of the way. Almost every time we ride in this country something like this happens and has never happened in another country in 35 years riding. Why are UK drivers so clueless about the Highway Code?
Because they’re impatient s
ts who feel their time is much more valuable than your safety. So they can’t ease off the loud pedal and add 30s to their journey 
People just have a massive sense of entitlement nowadays and are rude and impatient. Shouting at you to get off the road, while passing dangerously. They need to give their fat heads a wobble.
Hope you’re both ok.
ts who feel their time is much more valuable than your safety. So they can’t ease off the loud pedal and add 30s to their journey People just have a massive sense of entitlement nowadays and are rude and impatient. Shouting at you to get off the road, while passing dangerously. They need to give their fat heads a wobble.
Hope you’re both ok.
To add some balance, I find that riding in group it’s just as common (maybe more) for a cyclist to unnecessarily get irate and start shouting angrily at cars, as it is for a car to close pass, sound their horn, be aggressive etc.
Whilst I do witness idiots in cars on the bike, they are by no means that common. Maybe it’s because I ride in relatively rural areas.
Sorry to hear you have come across a moron, particularly when you are riding with your daughter.
Whilst I do witness idiots in cars on the bike, they are by no means that common. Maybe it’s because I ride in relatively rural areas.
Sorry to hear you have come across a moron, particularly when you are riding with your daughter.
Panamax said:
Wonder how a cyclist would feel coming up behind two cars driving side-by-side at 5mph?
Consideration is a two way street.
What are you talking about? It's usually better for a passing car for cyclists to ride two abreast, if you've not got the width to pass two you probably haven't got room to safely pass one, and if they're in single file you'll be on the wrong side of the road for longer. Consideration is a two way street.
There are plenty of clueless drivers in the UK, but it's surprising how many of them are on a driving forum.
Cyclists always wind me up(especially when they are 2 abreast), however I'd never dream of pipping my horn or shouting at them though.
In my opinion you'd have to be mad to cycle on the road nowadays though, and with the poor driving standards now I would pretty much expect to get knocked off my bike by a car.
In saying that, back in my 20's(30 years ago now) I did used to really enjoy riding on the road on my road bike though. There was a lot less traffic on the roads back then though.
In my opinion you'd have to be mad to cycle on the road nowadays though, and with the poor driving standards now I would pretty much expect to get knocked off my bike by a car.
In saying that, back in my 20's(30 years ago now) I did used to really enjoy riding on the road on my road bike though. There was a lot less traffic on the roads back then though.
cerb4.5lee said:
Cyclists always wind me up(especially when they are 2 abreast), however I'd never dream of pipping my horn or shouting at them though.
In my opinion you'd have to be mad to cycle on the road nowadays though, and with the poor driving standards now I would pretty much expect to get knocked off my bike by a car.
In saying that, back in my 20's(30 years ago now) I did used to really enjoy riding on the road on my road bike though. There was a lot less traffic on the roads back then though.
I just overtake them.In my opinion you'd have to be mad to cycle on the road nowadays though, and with the poor driving standards now I would pretty much expect to get knocked off my bike by a car.
In saying that, back in my 20's(30 years ago now) I did used to really enjoy riding on the road on my road bike though. There was a lot less traffic on the roads back then though.
Cyclists have the least impact on enthusiastic driving compared to literally everything else on the road.
E63eeeeee... said:
Panamax said:
Wonder how a cyclist would feel coming up behind two cars driving side-by-side at 5mph?
Consideration is a two way street.
There are plenty of clueless drivers in the UK, but it's surprising how many of them are on a driving forum.Consideration is a two way street.
Highway Code rule 66: "Be aware of drivers behind you and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so."
The problem is, very often, that cyclist refuse to move over, even when they should.
I am a cyclist, by the way.
Louis Balfour said:
E63eeeeee... said:
Panamax said:
Wonder how a cyclist would feel coming up behind two cars driving side-by-side at 5mph?
Consideration is a two way street.
There are plenty of clueless drivers in the UK, but it's surprising how many of them are on a driving forum.Consideration is a two way street.
Highway Code rule 66: "Be aware of drivers behind you and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so."
The problem is, very often, that cyclist refuse to move over, even when they should.
I am a cyclist, by the way.
Rule 66
You should
avoid any actions that could reduce your control of your cycle
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 (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so
not ride close behind another vehicle in case it stops suddenly
not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders (see Rule H1). Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by calling out or ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.
I had a drive out on the TF-21 up to Mount Teide this morning,lovely weather and fantastic mountain roads with very little traffic and was happy to follow two women cyclists riding side by side until it was safe to overtake.
Lots of cycling clubs on the island and the etiquette between cyclists and car drivers is very good unlike the UK which is terrible.
I often cycle and car drivers here are polite and respectful....
Lots of cycling clubs on the island and the etiquette between cyclists and car drivers is very good unlike the UK which is terrible.
I often cycle and car drivers here are polite and respectful....
frisbee said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Cyclists always wind me up(especially when they are 2 abreast), however I'd never dream of pipping my horn or shouting at them though.
In my opinion you'd have to be mad to cycle on the road nowadays though, and with the poor driving standards now I would pretty much expect to get knocked off my bike by a car.
In saying that, back in my 20's(30 years ago now) I did used to really enjoy riding on the road on my road bike though. There was a lot less traffic on the roads back then though.
I just overtake them.In my opinion you'd have to be mad to cycle on the road nowadays though, and with the poor driving standards now I would pretty much expect to get knocked off my bike by a car.
In saying that, back in my 20's(30 years ago now) I did used to really enjoy riding on the road on my road bike though. There was a lot less traffic on the roads back then though.
Cyclists have the least impact on enthusiastic driving compared to literally everything else on the road.
E63eeeeee... said:
Louis Balfour said:
E63eeeeee... said:
Panamax said:
Wonder how a cyclist would feel coming up behind two cars driving side-by-side at 5mph?
Consideration is a two way street.
There are plenty of clueless drivers in the UK, but it's surprising how many of them are on a driving forum.Consideration is a two way street.
Highway Code rule 66: "Be aware of drivers behind you and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so."
The problem is, very often, that cyclist refuse to move over, even when they should.
I am a cyclist, by the way.
Rule 66
You should
avoid any actions that could reduce your control of your cycle
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 (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so
not ride close behind another vehicle in case it stops suddenly
not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders (see Rule H1). Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by calling out or ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.
Do I pull over every time a car is behind me? No, I comply with the Highway Code.
Louis Balfour said:
When you say "cherry picking" you mean pulling out the section relevant, do you?
Do I pull over every time a car is behind me? No, I comply with the Highway Code.
Unless you're saying cyclists shouldn't ride 2 abreast if there's a car behind I'm not sure what your point is.Do I pull over every time a car is behind me? No, I comply with the Highway Code.
And I'm pretty sure the highway code doesn't say that.
monthou said:
Louis Balfour said:
When you say "cherry picking" you mean pulling out the section relevant, do you?
Do I pull over every time a car is behind me? No, I comply with the Highway Code.
Unless you're saying cyclists shouldn't ride 2 abreast if there's a car behind I'm not sure what your point is.Do I pull over every time a car is behind me? No, I comply with the Highway Code.
And I'm pretty sure the highway code doesn't say that.
Which is what the Highway Code says too. I have provided the section and quoted the relevant part above.
I only find it's an issue on a narrow road where there isn't enough width to give the outside rider enough of a gap to make for a safe pass if they're two abreast.
But it's a very, very rare instance I've ever encountered cyclists two abreast on a road like that, and I can't remember them ever not pulling over to make more space once they realised I was there.
But these are the kinds of roads I might well encounter a bunch of sheep or similar, and they don't give a single damn about being in your way, so the cyclists are an improvement!
On a "normal" road with enough width to overtake anything else slow moving like a tractor? Not a problem.
But it's a very, very rare instance I've ever encountered cyclists two abreast on a road like that, and I can't remember them ever not pulling over to make more space once they realised I was there.
But these are the kinds of roads I might well encounter a bunch of sheep or similar, and they don't give a single damn about being in your way, so the cyclists are an improvement!
On a "normal" road with enough width to overtake anything else slow moving like a tractor? Not a problem.
Louis Balfour said:
monthou said:
Louis Balfour said:
When you say "cherry picking" you mean pulling out the section relevant, do you?
Do I pull over every time a car is behind me? No, I comply with the Highway Code.
Unless you're saying cyclists shouldn't ride 2 abreast if there's a car behind I'm not sure what your point is.Do I pull over every time a car is behind me? No, I comply with the Highway Code.
And I'm pretty sure the highway code doesn't say that.
Which is what the Highway Code says too. I have provided the section and quoted the relevant part above.
The HC says allow an overtake if safe to do so, and gives examples of how you might do that.
It doesn't say never ride 2 abreast if there's a car behind.
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