Ayesha wrote:When there is a steady stream of traffic, two cyclists riding ‘Two-a-breast’ just because they can, gets cyclists a BAD name.
Couldn't agree more.
The simple fact is that we are slower than cars by a factor of around 4. We will impede their progress. People will tolerate being held up, if it's nothing 'personal.' If you impede their progress AND are going two abreast, it's likely to become personal - the same as when the road's being blocked by two cabbies having a chat. Forget what the highway code says - this is about psychology, and regardless of your good reasons for doing so, riding two abreast says "don't give a toss about you people behind." In a fraction of a second, you've flicked a switch in the subconscious mind of the driver behind turning you from a neutral entity into an adversary.
If you want to spend the rest of your life complaining on forums about punishment overtakes and so forth, fine - take primary and ride two-abreast etc. I keep as far over to the left as I can, and take every opportunity to let following traffic past. In return, they tend to hold back until it's safe and then give me loads of room when they do pass.