I often come across bike riders who ride side by side. Very unsafe and aggravating.

Do you feel the same way about motorcyclists who ride abreast, M?

It's a very similar situation, one where it increases visibility and safety for the riders.

COMMENT: I'm not qualified to comment. Riders, what do you think?

I'd say that motorcycles are quite different, since they are riding down the road at the same speed as cars in the same lanes with the cars and they are treated as cars by other drivers. But when you have two bicyclists huddled on the shoulder line going side by side struggling up a hill, its a dangerous situation for both the bikers and the cars trying to pass. Don't say it doesn't happen.

Also, I'm all for sharing the road with bicycles, but bicyclists don't own the road. I am sick of nearly being run over by bikers blowing through red lights while I'm trying to cross as a pedestrian. Perhaps Mike should post some rules of the road for bikers as well? Safety would be better improved if both riders and drivers were aware of their responsibilities to one another.

NotableM,

That's a far more complicated issue than it appears on the surface. There are two main things to consider:

1. How wide is the lane, if they were single file would you be able to share it? It may be that the guy on the right is the one out of place, and not the guy on the left.
2. How many riders? When you're dealing with big groups if you go two by two in a narrow lane you halve the passing distance, leave the same visibility (by staying in the right half of the lane). This makes a pass easier, and makes it less likely a car will buzz the entire group in order to avoid occupying the left lane.

And, IMHO, a third thing:
3. How busy is it? Sure, roads aren't *for* socializing, but who cares if two people socialize on a desolate road. If the oncoming lane is clear for minutes at a time you're not gonna have any trouble getting around... Obviously this doesn't apply on city streets very often.

When on the streets (as opposed to sidewalks):
Bicyclists should ride with traffic. Walkers should walk opposing traffic. And all should be as visible as possible (light clothes/reflective tape, etc)

@NotableM--

I believe crhilton's entry covers two-abreast riding for the most part. As a rider, I submit that riding two-abreast usually(!) occurs along the proverbial country roads, not busy city streets, so a driver's problem (if any) would generally occur here.

In my experience, two-abreast riding is mostly for socializing along the less-busy parts of a given route. And, once riders become aware that a car(s) are waiting to pass, they quickly call out "car back" and move to the right in single file.

Some will use (polite!) hand signals to alert the driver of potential hazards ahead (which may include other riders up the road the driver may be unaware of).

A good bit of common sense and a small measure of patience are key here, for both rider and driver.

As a part-time bike commuter, on the days that I do drive - the bike commuters I observe - are biking properly.

Bike messengers (in every city mind you) are the exception - and I do see them riding every which way and not properly...which is unfortunate.

The reality is that more of us should leave the car at home once in a while. Baltimore needs to continue a progression toward encouraging people to bike and providing safe routes with which we can do so. There are a couple of decent routes, but if a couple of the older city streets could be retrofitted with a bike lane, we would be in even better shape.

In Colorado, where I live, it is legal for two cyclists (and no more) to ride side by side, as long as they are not impeding traffic. This seems like a reasonable compromise. It is also legal for the driver to nudge out over the solid yellow line to pass a cyclist, as long as it can be done safely.

My pet peeve -- when I take the full lane on my bike, I am doing so because it is not safe for a car to pass. If you do so, you are putting all of us at risk.

In Australia cyclists do not pay any road tax and are therefore not in a position to dictate how legitimate users behave. Even in central Africa where I come from, there are better cycle tracks and facilities to keep cyclists out of harms way than in Australia, because each cyclist pays a one-off registration fee to help pay for roads and bike paths.

Trevor,
Just to note that most US cyclists also own vehicles, and pay their fare share of road taxes. That's not even getting into the fact that road taxes hardly pay for roads. Most money is transferred out of the general fund or other transportation funds.

Also, why should cyclists have to pay road taxes (which maintain roads) when they do no damage to roads, and reduce traffic overall?