Page 6 | Group of cyclists not letting cars past- is this legal?

Serenity674 · 2025-04-27T19:07:36+00:00

Interested in whether this was legal. Was driving to my parents this morning, they live remotely so it was a single track country road, although not narrow, with wide verges on either side. i came up behind a group of circa 20 cyclists, probably doing about 15-20mph and ended up stuck behind them for about 10 mins. Round the bends was fine and they actually went faster than I would have gone in my car but there were several very long straight stretches of road where I could have got up to 30-40 mph (it’s a NSL road) but they wouldn’t move to let me past, just rode 2 or 3 abreast taking up the whole road. They definitely knew I was there as the ones at the back kept looking behind at me. i know the law says cyclists can ride 2 abreast and it’s actually safer as it means cars overtake them properly but surely this doesn’t apply regardless of the road? Were they just doing the safe thing or should they have let me past? I am a horse rider so i am always on the side of passing more vulnerable road users safely but this just seemed like a bit of a dick move- or were they actually doing this for a reason I’m unaware of? If I was riding my horse on a road like this I would ride 2 abreast until the car slows down then move into single file to let them past.

Flytrap01 · 27/04/2025 21:42

ManchesterLu · 27/04/2025 21:40

Nope, it's being awkward for the sake of things. It's like when I used to tow my caravan, every time I got chance I'd pull over to give people the chance to overtake if we were on roads where it was otherwise difficult to do so. It's all about being considerate.

It's nothing like being behind a slow tractor. They can't do anything. They're one vehicle. Cyclists could ride in single file to allow the rest of the road to flow.

OP isn't saying she wants to razz it down the road - fully planning to stay within the speed limit.

Let me guess.. you're a cyclist.

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apparently tractors are ment to pull over every so often when possible

WonderingWanda · 27/04/2025 21:43

Springadorable · 27/04/2025 20:11

They were right to ride two a breast. But if there are loads then they should've left gaps in the ride so that cars could overtake four of them and then tuck in a gap. If you couldn't have got past four of them safely then there wasn't an opportunity to overtake.

I wish they would do this. Don't mind the 2 abreast or bunching up in groups but when they stretch out so you can't overtake at all it's really annoying. That said I suppose that would be be just as dangerous for them, if someone begins to overtake and misjudged their speed tucking back in.

Lovelyview · 27/04/2025 21:44

On a single track road you wouldn't have been able to overtake them even if they were riding single file. Would you have been annoyed by a tractor?

Lonelycrab · 27/04/2025 21:44

God some drivers really need their licences revoked

Redpeach · 27/04/2025 21:45

GoldSnigger · 27/04/2025 21:40

I personally don’t think the roads should be used for group sport. If cars met in groups and started blocking up the roads, horses, runners - it wouldn’t be allowed (unless a road closure in place for it).

Cars meet in groups all the time, they're called traffic jams

Teenagehorrorbag · 27/04/2025 21:45

JifNtGif · 27/04/2025 21:34

Although technically legal, I've seen police stop and pull selfish cyclists to the side of the road for causing an obstruction when there was a large back up of cars behind, and quite rightly so!

Yes I think tractors are expected to pull over once there is a queue behind.

Lovelysausagedogscrumpy · 27/04/2025 21:46

Backbag · 27/04/2025 20:16

Yes, this is legal and the correct way for cyclists to ride. If it's a single track road, there's no room for cars to pass anyway and by riding two abreast, when there is an opportunity to pass, it's easier to do so as they take up less road "length". It's also correct for cyclists to ride in the centre of the carriageway.

It would be really helpful if drivers understood the Highway code....

Even more helpful if cyclists understood it. Cyclists should be aware of motorists behind them and use the first opportunity to let them pass. If it was safe to do so they should have let OP pass. They’re dicks.

ZippyDoodle · 27/04/2025 21:46

There’s absolutely loads of it around here because we are semi-rural.

DH rides. He always says they should be aware of other vehicles and space accordingly. They’re selfish tosses if they don’t. It’s mainly large groups of middle aged blokes. What a surprise!

ColinOfficeTrolley · 27/04/2025 21:46

CantStopMoving · 27/04/2025 21:17

What is so crazily bad about being held up by 10 mins? It wouldn’t occur to me to be even remotely bothered.

I get the tube pretty much every morning. The amount of times that the tube stops and gets held for 10 minutes for door issues, signalling issues. No one bats an eyelid about it. Nobody starts getting angry at the driver or the staff at the stations. We just accept journeys take a bit longer than planned.

Because when you pop out to the shops and think what's going to be a quick journey and you get stuck behind a bunch of cunts who take pleasure in flexing 'their rights' and delaying what should have been a 10 minute pop out and turning it into an half an hour journey, it's grating.

Redpeach · 27/04/2025 21:47

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Hope you're not this angry behind the wheel

oviraptor21 · 27/04/2025 21:48

Backbag · 27/04/2025 20:16

Yes, this is legal and the correct way for cyclists to ride. If it's a single track road, there's no room for cars to pass anyway and by riding two abreast, when there is an opportunity to pass, it's easier to do so as they take up less road "length". It's also correct for cyclists to ride in the centre of the carriageway.

It would be really helpful if drivers understood the Highway code....

Did you read the Highway Code before you posted this?

BatchCookBabe · 27/04/2025 21:48

GoldSnigger · 27/04/2025 21:40

I personally don’t think the roads should be used for group sport. If cars met in groups and started blocking up the roads, horses, runners - it wouldn’t be allowed (unless a road closure in place for it).

Exactly! These MAMILS need to stop being so selfish and ride single file, or move the fuck over and stop to let drivers past, as it's impossible to overtake them on a narrow country lane. (And they just LOVE to hog country lanes.) As I said, I experience delays from these MAMILS on a weekly basis and I am sick of them, (and their apologists!) Why do they think they trump drivers? They don't even pay road tax. Who do they think they are?

Redpeach · 27/04/2025 21:49

ColinOfficeTrolley · 27/04/2025 21:46

Because when you pop out to the shops and think what's going to be a quick journey and you get stuck behind a bunch of cunts who take pleasure in flexing 'their rights' and delaying what should have been a 10 minute pop out and turning it into an half an hour journey, it's grating.

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Your 'pop out to the shop' takes priority?

Kago2790 · 27/04/2025 21:49

ColinOfficeTrolley · 27/04/2025 21:46

Because when you pop out to the shops and think what's going to be a quick journey and you get stuck behind a bunch of cunts who take pleasure in flexing 'their rights' and delaying what should have been a 10 minute pop out and turning it into an half an hour journey, it's grating.

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Or they are just riding their bikes as per highway code. Why do you have more right to be there than they do?

Lonelycrab · 27/04/2025 21:50

BatchCookBabe · 27/04/2025 21:48

Exactly! These MAMILS need to stop being so selfish and ride single file, or move the fuck over and stop to let drivers past, as it's impossible to overtake them on a narrow country lane. (And they just LOVE to hog country lanes.) As I said, I experience delays from these MAMILS on a weekly basis and I am sick of them, (and their apologists!) Why do they think they trump drivers? They don't even pay road tax. Who do they think they are?

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Hey, take up cycling, it’s good for the soul!

Magnastorm · 27/04/2025 21:51

BatchCookBabe · 27/04/2025 21:48

Exactly! These MAMILS need to stop being so selfish and ride single file, or move the fuck over and stop to let drivers past, as it's impossible to overtake them on a narrow country lane. (And they just LOVE to hog country lanes.) As I said, I experience delays from these MAMILS on a weekly basis and I am sick of them, (and their apologists!) Why do they think they trump drivers? They don't even pay road tax. Who do they think they are?

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They don't have to have insurance either! Oh noes, the entitlement!

Mumofoneandone · 27/04/2025 21:51

Quick Google of the highway code was as I suspected - cyclists weren't following the rules of the road! They should be cycling singly or in pairs but with gaps in-between to allow safe overtaking by car drivers.
They were deliberately cycling in this way to be annoying! And failing to be aware of other road users and adjusting their behaviour accordingly.....

Redpeach · 27/04/2025 21:52

The roads are clogged with cars on unnecessary journeys

Labraradabrador · 27/04/2025 21:52

LordEmsworth · 27/04/2025 20:26

legally, I can ride my horse down the middle of the road and make everyone wait til I turn off onto a bridle way.

It's almost like you answered your own question there...

Hard to say without seeing the road; but sounds like they were trying to stay safe without having to stop to let you go past on your very important journey.

I feel like you and I are reading different posts.

I and op have no problem stopping/slowing down for horses, or tractors or cyclists, But we do expect some level of self awareness and consideration for other road users. There are sections of road near me that are truly single track and I accept that I might be delayed. What drives me mad, though is when slower users ignore or even aggressively forego opportunities for the faster user to pass. Not only is it a dick move, but it creates dangerous scenarios where traffic builds on stretches with limited capacity. Horses and tractors are always good about pulling over when possible, it is almost always the cyclists that feel no need to consider anyone else,

Labraradabrador · 27/04/2025 21:53

Kago2790 · 27/04/2025 21:49

Or they are just riding their bikes as per highway code. Why do you have more right to be there than they do?

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what op describes isn’t in line with Highway Code.

Lovelyview · 27/04/2025 21:54

Mumofoneandone · 27/04/2025 21:51

Quick Google of the highway code was as I suspected - cyclists weren't following the rules of the road! They should be cycling singly or in pairs but with gaps in-between to allow safe overtaking by car drivers.
They were deliberately cycling in this way to be annoying! And failing to be aware of other road users and adjusting their behaviour accordingly.....

It was a single track road. You are meant to leave a car's width between the bike and your car when overtaking. So she couldn't have overtaken even if they had been riding single file.

Flytrap01 · 27/04/2025 21:54

Mumofoneandone · 27/04/2025 21:51

Quick Google of the highway code was as I suspected - cyclists weren't following the rules of the road! They should be cycling singly or in pairs but with gaps in-between to allow safe overtaking by car drivers.
They were deliberately cycling in this way to be annoying! And failing to be aware of other road users and adjusting their behaviour accordingly.....

but even if in single file if there is not the 1.5 metre distance then the car still cannot pass ?

Lonelycrab · 27/04/2025 21:54

Mumofoneandone · 27/04/2025 21:51

Quick Google of the highway code was as I suspected - cyclists weren't following the rules of the road! They should be cycling singly or in pairs but with gaps in-between to allow safe overtaking by car drivers.
They were deliberately cycling in this way to be annoying! And failing to be aware of other road users and adjusting their behaviour accordingly.....

Narrow road

ColinOfficeTrolley · 27/04/2025 21:55

Kago2790 · 27/04/2025 21:49

Or they are just riding their bikes as per highway code. Why do you have more right to be there than they do?

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Because they are smug twats 🤷

Yes, I thoroughly believe that a group of people slowing down a minimum of 10 cars to about 3 mph on a 30mph road, do have more rights to go about their business than a bunch of selfish, smug twats.

PrincessofWells · 27/04/2025 21:56

Serenity674 · 27/04/2025 20:21

It was wide enough to pass a cyclist, it was single track I.e no white line but it was a wide road, plenty of room to give 2m space. I ride down it regularly…

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You are supposed to pass giving cyclists room equal to the width of a car.

Clearly they were taking their road which is the safety position for them. Read your Highway Code and understand it.