Trending
Jeremy Vine says cyclists should ride alongside each other because ‘it’s more pleasant for them’
The police have since given their thoughts on the method
TV host and radio presenter Jeremy Vine triggered a wide-spread debate with his stance on how cyclists should position themselves on the road.
As it stands, cyclists tend to stick to the left-hand side of the road or – here in Manchester, especially – to their own cycle lanes in a single-filed manner, allowing other vehicles to pass alongside them.
However, when cycling as part of a group down country roads and lanes, some cyclists position themselves in groups that are three or four abreast, meaning that cars are unable to overtake, leaving them with no option but to drive slowly behind.
Phil Hearing / Unsplash
Of course, many drivers get frustrated by this method but, according to Vine, this is actually how all cyclists should be using the roads.
Sharing a video of a group of cyclists positioned in such a manner, he wrote on Twitter: “People who cycle in the country should be encouraged to ride 2, 3 and 4 abreast like this. For the following reasons: It calms the traffic behind them, It makes it less easy for bad drivers to attempt dangerous passes, It is more pleasant and sociable for them.”
Of course, his comments instantly triggered an intense debate on where cyclists should actually position themselves on the road. One social media user wrote: “Cyclists should ride single file. It’s not ok for drivers to have to creep along at 10mph because of cyclists. Riding in 4 abreast is selfish by cyclists.”
Alternatively, another user noted: “Riding single file is potentially dangerous since it makes drivers tempted to overtake when there’s traffic in the opposite lane and despite there not being enough space. Riding abreast is safer since it helps ignorant motorist to avoid dangerous overtakes.”
Later in the thread, Vine shared advice previously posted by Surrey Police’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU), which stated that cyclists positioning themselves two or three abreast is actually safer than riding in single file.
They wrote: “Riding two or even three abreast is a better and more effective use of the road space than single file riding. If you can’t safely overtake two cyclists side by side, you won’t be able to safely overtake them when in single file.”
The official Highway Code currently states that cyclists shouldn’t be any more than two abreast at any one time while riding on regular roads, though many believe the rule can be bent while on country roads.