Road Etiquette

[grey]

If two cyclists are riding side-by-side down a road, is there a set rule perhaps for which one slows/speeds so the other can get over when there's a car behind? Should the one closer to the side of the road drop back and let the other rider get in front, or speed up so the other rider can get behind?

You can guess, I had some confusion today. The car came up on us really quickly, and my friend and I kept doing the same thing (I'd speed up and so did he, we'd both see what the other did and hit the brake) so he didn't get over - the car went fully into the other lane, glad the driver wasn't an arse or anything but it skeered me some anyway. Surely there is a guideline so this doesn't happen?

[Veronica]

I don't know if there is a set rule. But if the person I'm riding with sprints to get in front, I soft pedal just a revolution or two to make it a bit easier for him.

Veronica

[goldfinch]

I would follow the general traffic principle that slower stays to the right and passing occurs on the left, not the right. So, the biker on the left should speed up and go around the one on the right. The one on the right should slow a bit to let him in.

[Owlie]

i would follow the general traffic principle that slower stays to the right and passing occurs on the left, not the right. So, the biker on the left should speed up and go around the one on the right. The one on the right should slow a bit to let him in.

+1.

[Veronica]

That would make sense, but sometimes the person on the outside doesn't have the legs to sprint to the front at that particular moment. That's why we're a little more flexible about who goes to the front.

Veronica

[roadie gal]

I'll generally say something to my riding partner, "I'll go ahead" or "You go ahead." It doesn't matter who goes ahead, the trick is communicating. I don't think there's any set way of doing it otherwise.