Posted By Robert Weiland Cyclists. A group of 7 were riding down the road in side by side formation yesterday. This was frustrating for all the other road users as in order to pass and leave sufficient room for them, the other side of road had to be clear and thus everyone was held back. Then one of them decides to go 3 long side by side and they were virtually taking up the whole road. When I did my cycling badge at school I seem to recall us being told to ride single file has this rule been abolished ?

Posted By David Bannister The more visible, obvious and predictable a cyclist makes themselves has to increase their safety levels, apart from homicidal maniacs who insist on passing so close they hit you with their wing mirrors. As a relatively recent returnee to recreational cycling I am now a significantly more considerate motorist to vulnerable road users. Try it!

Posted By J Knight Hi Bob, I know Winnats as a cyclist and a motorist; to be fair the highway code does say words to the effect that cyclists should ride single file where road conditions make two-abreast unsafe. However, any cyclists disciplined and strong enough to ride two up on Winnats deserve nothing more or less than 'chapeau'; which is what you get when you cycle up a big hill in France. Its more rewarding than the intelligent and insightful calls of 'why don't you get a car' or 'get off and milk it' that you tend to get from the more sophisticated Brits, John

Posted By Robert K Lewis On that basis then Arran a cyclist going up the Winnats needs no space to pass them as they are going so slow that most pedestrians are passing them uphill.:-) I have no real issue with the lone cyclist as there is normally room to pass. The club ride, unannounced to the police taking place on an open public road of this nature is lethal, like the motorcyclists who are making progress in 60 mph motorway traffic as they drive between two lanes of traffic. For me, therefore, a cruel and unusual punishment must be exacted. Contrary to all my normal egalitarian beliefs. I often wish such people would have their accidents in their home area and that way their local PCT will pick up the bill not the hard pressed underfunded rural PCT, struggling to cater for the needs of residents. I apologise if I am OTT but the issue has caused some major discontent in our area. As a tourist magnet we are constantly faced with this type of behaviour by people who feel that their leisure is far more important than the lives of local people that they affect. Would town people really expect us to do a sight-seeing 5 mph on a 40mph road so that we could look around us at the buildings? I think I may have said too much but when risk assessments are considered one should remember that there is another side to the issue. The pelaton may be safer for cyclists but not necessarily for others on the road. Bob

Posted By Brett Day Whilst drivers should exercise due care when passing cyclists, the Highway code does state that 'slow moving vehicles/traffic should be aware of other road users and not unduly hold up other road users', it gives as example using laybys etc. Horse riders, cyclists and farmers have been prosecuted under the Road Traffic Act for causing a moving obstruction. It works both ways and from both sides.

Posted By gham Yes you can do that, it when you get cought that's when you have problems

Posted By Lilian McCartney Being a horse owner and hainvg cycled, driven and ridden on roads there are good and bad cyclists, drivers and riders. I've found motor cyclists very good with the horses, cyclists not so good when passing (the horse can't always see behind, they hear something but not sure what it is and if they pass to close it's easy to spook the horse). Car drivers (when its a Sunday in particular) sometimes peep their horn and allow their children to lean out and pat the horse as they are passing - not a good idea. When horse riding I tend to indicate to drivers when to pass or what I'm going to do e.g. I'm going to go up the next lane til you're all past or please wait there's something coming the other way or it's safe to pass now etc. Driving, cycling, horse riding should all be done with courtesy and patience - I wish I could buy some!

Posted By Robert K Lewis John Not if I get the chance(lol). Manchester usually means Stepping Hill which is one of our PCT hospitals. Bed blocking again :-) sighs all round.

Posted By Arran Linton - Smith OK some tourists do require hospital treatment, but according to Wickipedia 24% of the economy of the Peak District is based upon tourism, which also includes cycling. The majority of my cycling is undertaken within an urban environment for commuting and I estimate that I save at least 1050kgs of Co2 emissions per year and at least £1200 I have also cycled in Italy, Canada and India. For some reason, (maybe pressure on our roads) that there appears to be a negative (and sometimes aggressive) view against cycling as a means of urban and recreational transport.

Posted By Morgan Healey Arran Do you do train spotting as well. !!!!

Posted By anon1234 Can someone explain to me why cyclists still insist on riding on the road when there is a perfectly good cycle lane running alog side it that is marked with the blue (manadatory) cylcle lane signs?

Posted By J Knight To follow on from Arran's point. I cycle at between 15 and 20 mph (not especially fast) for long distances (up to 130 miles a day). Cycle paths are usually interrupted at short intervals by street furniture, or inadequate arrangements for crossing side streets. If you had to stop your car every time a driveway or minor road came in from your left you would be inconvenienced; well, the same goes for cyclists. Dedicated cycle paths have an infuriating habit of ending, with a sign saying 'cyclists dismount'; this often coincides with a need to re-enter a fast moving traffic stream to negotiate a hazard such as a roundabout or narrow bridge - it is of course safer to already be part of the traffic stream at this point, both for the cyclist and the driver. Multi-use paths are unsuitable for many cyclists as we move at a speed which would be unsafe for other footpath users. Cycle paths often have to have gates across, as a small but sadly significant number of motorcyclists don't seem to understand signs forbidding motor vehicles. In urban areas this can mean dismounting every 100 yards or so. Finally, cycle paths are used as dumping grounds and suitable sites for experimenting with broken glass. In short, cycling facilities in the UK are largely rubbish, despite the efforts of bodies like Sustrans. If we had cycle paths like the Dutch ones, I would use them more often. Believe me, if I had a safe, fast alternative to busy main roads I would be utterly delighted, John

Posted By J Knight I like cycling but PBP is mad! I've done a couple of randonees but this year I haven't done anything much above 100 miles, and that was with our local CTC; one of our members was the fourth finisher in the last PBP. My partner keeps saying she wants to do a 400, and we have a friend who might be up to doing it with her, but so far she's failed to persuade me, John

Posted By Brian Thorp Personally I feel that this whole issue is about respecting each other right to use the roads. Granted, as a motorist, you may be slowed down by cyclists but only for a short time. For example if you are traveling at 30mph – most motorists don’t! – and are stuck behind a cyclist whom is traveling at 15mph, you have to travel for five miles before you have added 10 minutes to your journey time! Five miles is a long way, and I am sure motorists are delayed for longer by road works, motorists colliding with other motorists, motorists sitting in the middle lane of motorways etc, I think you get the point. If you are one of those people, like the ones who decide to pass me with just a few inches of room as I cycle to work each morning. Think are you really that desperate to get to work early to impress your boss that you are quite prepared to risk the lives of others? I am sure if people had that attitude towards your loved ones you may have a more considerate attitude. As for you Lorraine, may I suggest you leave your metal death cage, straddle a velocipede and attempt to ascend an incline keeping a perfectly straight path? I thought not! With regard to cyclists transcending from pavement to road and jumping red lights etc. Remember………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….WE ARE THE CYCLISTS, WE HAVE NO NEED FOR YOUR RULES OF THE ROAD. ALL WE REQUIRE ARE THE SMOOTH TARMACED SURFACES – PAID FOR BY BILLIONS OF POUNDS OF YOUR ROAD TAX!