Ten common questions about cycling

Q5: Why do cyclists sometimes ride in the middle of the lane, ride two+ abreast, suddenly swerve, shun cycle paths etc.?

Drivers who cycle will probably understand why cyclists ride where and how they do, but those who haven’t ridden since they were a child (or never) may be completely baffled. They might even take it personally, assuming that cyclists are deliberately getting in their way and delaying them.

This table explains the cycling behaviour and road positions that drivers commonly misinterpret: Riding away from the kerb rather than hugging it, and sometimes ‘taking the lane’ The Highway Code (rule 72) explains that there are two basic road positions that cyclists should adopt, depending on the situation: (1) To stay as clearly visible as possible, riding in the centre of their lane on quiet roads/streets and in slower-moving traffic, moving to the left to allow faster vehicles to overtake if it’s safe. It also advises taking the lane at the approach to junctions or road narrowings “where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake you.” (Rule 213 explains this to drivers) (2) At least 0.5 metres away from the kerb, and further where it’s safer, on busy roads where vehicles are moving faster, allowing them to overtake “where it is safe to do so”.

Giving parked cars a wide berth Cyclists can be – and have been – seriously injured or killed by people opening car doors in front of them. It’s an offence to hurt or endanger, or allow others to hurt or endanger, anyone in this way, and Highway Code Rule 239 now advises car occupants to practise the ‘Dutch Reach’ to avoid it. The Code also advises cyclists to “ride at least a door’s width or 1 metre from parked cars for their own safety” – this avoids being toppled and, potentially, thrown under the wheels of another vehicle, by a negligently opened car door.

Riding two or more abreast It’s perfectly legal to ride two abreast and, as the Highway Code says, “it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders” (Rule 66). This helps keep riders visible and stops drivers overtaking when it would put riders or oncoming vehicles at risk. Groups of cyclists are advised to be aware of drivers behind and allow them to overtake when they feel it’s safe to let them.

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