Cyclists are a vulnerable group of road users – and we try our best to create awareness of the threats they meet daily! We have emphasized the importance of giving them space – of allowing them the 1.5m gap and to drive with caution near them.
It is however also important to note that cyclists need to obey the rules of the road as well! The law requires that they ride in single file. The only time when that would not be the case would be when there is a competition and the road is closed for other vehicular traffic!
Reg 311.
(2) Persons riding pedal cycles on a public road shall ride in single file except in the course of overtaking another pedal cycle, and two or more persons riding pedal cycles shall not overtake another vehicle at the same time.
A visitor to the Arrive Alive website shared this email with the photos in this post:
“I do not know whether this forum is the right one to post this on – please advise. Buy today I was totally alarmed at the total disregard for motorists by cyclists taking part in the (as far as I can establish) PPC One Tonner Cycle Race that went through Malmesbury through to Durbanville (that was where we encountered them).
I am a runner myself, so I am fully with cyclists on the right to use the road, but one has to take into contention that roads are primarily for vehicles and that runners and cyclists also has to take some responsibility for their own safety.
My husband and I were driving (he was driving) from the Cederberg to Durbanville (so apologise the dirty window in the photos) on the R304 when we encountered various groups of cyclists taking part in a race. There were no signs next to the road, so we could not establish which race it was – but I searched the Internet for cycling events in the area, so I assume I have the correct one (and I did not read what was written on the cyclists’ tops).
Cyclists were riding in bunches together, which is fine, but did not care to move over to the yellow line (some of them did, but most did not) when traffic approached from behind. In several of the cases there were space in the yellow line, but they rather wanted to ride next to each other – sometimes even six or more, taking up the whole lane we had to drive in. Sometimes there were a queue of cars waiting to pass them, but being unable to do so, due to oncoming traffic and the cyclists selfishness. In one instance a male CK-driver in a 4×4 drove up to about 2-3 meters from the cyclists (which I agree is irresponsible) and only then did some of the cyclists move sideways.
I understand it is a race and, as a responsible motorist I would always have consideration for runners and cyclists, but this is really a bit much. We regularly hear of cyclists being knocked over by motorists and, in some cases (even most) ignorant motorists are to blame, but this kind of behaviour by cyclists does not really help. “
Also view:
Cycling, Rules of the Road And Road Safety
