Club run under threat from government

British Cycling and Cycling UK voice concern over government’s proposed changes to law on riding two abreast, reports Vern Pitt

- Vern Pitt

British Cycling and Cycling UK are leading calls for the Government to abandon proposed changes to the Highway Code which threaten clubs’ ability to ride in groups.

On 28 July, the government published a consultation on the changes, many of which have been warmly received, but the muddying of rule 66, which confers cyclists’ rights to ride two abreast, has been slated.

Cycling organisations were strongly in support of many of the changes, most notably the creation of a hierarchy of road users that would, in the government’s words, “ensure that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others”. It also included more detail on the passing distances drivers should use when overtaking cyclists, saying they should be given “at least as much room as when overtaking a car”.

However, despite these positive steps, the changes to riding two abreast appear to be a move backwards. Currently, the Highway Code says cyclists should “ride no more than two abreast” and single out on narrow or busy roads and around bends.