Cyclists on the road WIBU AND WWYD?

[thedcbrokemybank]

I was driving somewhere yesterday and came across a peleton of cyclists, about 15 of them, spread about 50m apart. I was on single track back roads. There was a car in front of me but it was a mini and was able to get past more easily. When the road widened I tried overtaking but because there were so many of them and they were quite spread out it wasn't that simple. A car came towards me so I had to split the group up and pull in. This went on for at least a mile and then I needed to turn left. I was still trying to get past them at this point so I indicated and stopped in the road. If it was a car they would have waited behind me but some of them undertook on the inside. Some of them waited behind shouting abuse at me. I genuinely did not know what to do. Obviously because they were a big group and so spread out overtaking them had taken a lot longer than I expected and I didn't realise that I would need to turn before getting past them. The road stays single track for a long way. I really don't think it is appropriate for such a big group of cyclists to be riding on roads like that and if they do need to they should split into smaller groups so that cars can pass safely. WWYD in this situation?

Sorry.

Rule 167
DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example...

@Huskylover1

Driving when angry about someone else on 'your' road is nearly as dangerous as driving drunk.

here

Hopefully, after picking up your time critical children, you don't wrap your car around a tree and kill them or take out someone else who didn't deserve it. Even a cyclist!

Maybe it's time to rethink your attitude.

"thats not what happened she overtook some cyclist then came in there no law that says you have to overtake a whole group of cyclist"

By her own admission, they needed to back off after she pulled in as it was dangerous. I'm not sure if you're deliberately teasing or not.

I really don't think they should be using the roads as a sports playground.

appologies she did so yes but even 167 is not a law its a do not not amust not and the cyclist the undertook also brooke it

Rule 168
Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.

^^This User

Look I am really sorry that you have had such bad accidents whilst on a bike. I hold my hands up and say I should have just waited. I didn't intentionally put anyone at risk. I was also aware of where the riders were at all times and don't believe that at any point anyone was in danger. Once in the situation I was unsure of what to do. I felt crowded and overwhelmed by the cyclists. They were acting as a group but weren't together if that makes sense. After overtaking I had pulled in but because I was still only going at the speed of the cyclists in front then the ones behind easily sat on my tail. After indicating left I felt had no choice but to slow right down and ultimately stop because I was (rightly) worried they would undertake.

I don't think you have anything to feel sorry for OP. If they were more than 2 abreast on the road then they were in the wrong.

USER I was sarcastic because I was responding to your assumption about my behaviour and you know, Mumsnet is a board that welcomes a sense of humour and verbal dexterity. Also, if I said what I really thought, it might have been less polite.

Clearly you have had some bad experiences as a cyclist for which I'm sorry, but please do not project your emotions and take the absolute worst case meaning from every comment made.

@mateysmum

a sense of humour and verbal dexterity

Yes, but don't be put off by that. You're welcome to join in. You could answer my question. What did you mean?

@thedcbrokemybank

I didn't intentionally put anyone at risk. I was also aware of where the riders were at all times

I'm sure you didn't do it intentionally, although if you knew where they were, why did you not manage to overtake?

don't believe that at any point anyone was in danger.

That's the worrying part but I can see that no one's getting through to you so I won't bother keeping trying.

@bluegreenyellow

But doing so would lead to driving without die care in many cases. The OP still maintains they brought it on themselves by cycling in dribs and drabs.