'Single file, the safest style' sign appears on Yorkshire road

I've been riding two abreast with one of my mates on a wide two lane road ... no other traffic about and a clear 1.5 lanes for an overtake ... and still been blasted and close passed by cars that can't be arsed to overtake properly by crossing the white line in the middle - like doing so is some kind of insult to their feeling of self worth.

Sadly it's not just joe public that overtakes badly. I was on a narrow twisty country road that is barely wider than a single lane, and pretty much every bend is blind. I was in primary position, and a car with an MTB mounted on the roof overtook on the wrong side on one of those blind bends. I tapped my helmet as if to say "think" and he pulled over asking if there was a problem. I said "it wasn't very bright to overtake on a blind corner on the wrong side of the road" ... his response "it's a quiet road". Granted, you may only see 3 or 4 cars an hour along there ... but it only takes one ... or one of the many sheep that usually roam the roads ... or a cyclist coming the other way ... none of which would take too kindly to getting a car hit them head on at 30mph. This simpleton didn't get what I was saying. I just left him to it. Irony was, with the twisty nature of the road ... he couldn't pull away from me for a good couple of miles, so the dodgy overtake really worked eh.

Single file - the safest style

In a line - longer overtake time

Just email some of the advertisers know about the comments on this board, maybe that will get him banned.

Whether riding single file or not is the correct action to take isn't the issue here, when motorists as a rule pass safely and allow cyclists the patience and space to ride, then the discussion should turn to road positioning of cyclists. It's the wrong argument to be having, maybe a crowdfunding page needs to be set up for some more sensible signs to be put up around the country with more proactive advice (the government clearly aren't doing it)

Even America gets it...

wrong message targeted at the wrong people?

there maybe times when riding 2 abreast is inconsiderate but it isn't dangerous and I doubt this sign will influence those riders very much

there are times when riding 2 abreast is safer for cyclists but is thought inconsiderate by drivers and this sign reinforces a commonly held belief that riding 2 abreast isn't allowed and that cyclists that do it deserve a bit of horn attention or an instructional close pass

would much prefer signs that ask drivers to pass cyclists slow and wide - these would contribute a lot more to the safety of cyclists

meanwhile heres some more messages that would reduce the number of accidents involving cyclists:

"A  roads - avoid them"

"Dual carriageways - just don't"

"Pinch point - don't claim - push on the pavement"

"Roundabouts? - reroute your ride"

"Shouted at? - seek out segregated routes"

"Approaching a junction - forget priority, slow down and prepare to give way"

Man this annoys me. Surely this is not a positive way forward.
There is so much misunderstanding of the two abreast rule already.. . On both sides.. the last thing we need is something like this cementing the viewpoint that two abreast is wrong.
Truth is, like many things, sometimes it's perfectly fine, some times it's optimum, sometimes inappropriate.
Again, same message, I've never had a problem with cyclists whilst driving. Sometimes I've had to wait 10, 20, shit even 30 secs to get past safely, but I always managed it.
Actually, there was one time, two guys who I know, were riding to the same race I was driving to, and I caught them two abreast. Wasn't safe to pass (it was a lane) and I was stuck there for a good minute.
This annoyed me because it was making me late, and reducing my warm up time... but that doesn't really count hey?
It's the ignorance of all road users that need to be addressed. A bit of patience and consideration all round is all it takes. We don't need signs enforcing unwritten rules.

These signs haven't just appeared but have been around for a few years. I first complained about them to 95alive perhaps 2 years ago and a little more recently when they asked for feedback I explained the message they were giving out to drivers was that they should expect cyclists to get out of their way. Some of the signs disappeared but clearly some are still around and by the way 95alive have defended them that is by design and not just because they haven't got around to taking them down yet.

The point to remember is that 95alive were formed as a response to the high number of motorcycle deaths in North Yorkshire  but they have essentially gone native and now produce race circuit style videos and other material promoting the county to  thrill seeking bikers from outside it. They were never interested in cyclists nor pedestrian from the start but are now no longer a road safety body at all but acting merely as another motoring lobby group.

North Yorkshire has 1% of the UK population but 2% of it's road deaths because of endemic drink-driving and speeding but 95alive won't touch those with a bargepole and so I have to cycle my local roads which the 'road safety' body effectivly promotes as a motorcycle TT circuit and where I have to pass signs paid for with my council tax telling me I shouldn't be there.

It's good that they have gained a little attention this week and that people see what we have to deal with in North Yorkshire when all the TV and crowds for the Tour have gone home

If the sign told motorists not to overtake unless it was safe, instead of telling cyclists to get out of their way, it might be useful.  As many others have pointed out, sometimes single file can be more dangerous, sometimes it can be safer, but dangerous overtaking is always dangerous.

This is just another indication of how utterly car obsessed this society is, where even road safety organisations can't see the problem.    95 Alive and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership don't even understand that they don't understand the problem.  I wonder if anyone in those organisations rides a bike?  I bet they all drive.

Hello, wood calling trees, is anyone there?

Would it be pedantic to pick fault with the graphic used in this campaign?  Shouldn't the rider on the outside drop back behind the rider on the inside when singling out? 

Anyway - and on the subject of clueless types - trolls of this parish should probably look away now:

I have noticed these signs pop up on my regular ride out into the dale. I believe context of the road should be taken into account. 

The main stretch where I have seen the signs are on very narrow, winding lanes. This road is used by a lot of local riders and clubs to get out into the dales as it is light on traffic. It can be dangerous for two groups of riders, riding two abreast in opposite directions as in many places the road surface means that you are riding head on with oncoming riders.

For me the tweet jumped the gun, and was an inconsiderate reaction creating an us and them response. The signs are an idea to follow, and consideration should be taken. If a car is behind you on a stretch of road like this, it maybe both nicer and more enjoyable to slow and allow a car to pass. 

I have experienced many other riders do this, as most cars that use this stretch are residents. 

http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/how-to/group-riding

"Highway Code Rule 51 says you should: 'not ride more than two abreast' and 'ride in single file on narrow or busy roads'. Be warned: most motorists are oblivious to the two-abreast rule. Most also ignore Rule 139, which requires them to give cyclists 'at least as much room as a car' when overtaking – a rule that makes single or double file a moot point. You, however, should heed the Highway Code: don't ride more than two abreast, and be ready to switch to single file when circumstances dictate.

When to ride single file

If you're on a narrow road without a clear view ahead – approaching a corner, for example, or a blind summit – it makes senses to single out, otherwise the outer rider(s) may be at risk from oncoming traffic. Oncoming traffic itself may also require you to ride single file. If there is traffic behind you, single out if it can pass safely. If it can't, you can prevent dangerous overtaking by continuing in double file or by singling out and taking the lane.

Riding double file can actually make it easier for motorists to overtake a group of cyclists safely, as the column of riders will be shorter so the driver can get past in one manoeuvre rather than leapfrogging up the line, possibly cutting in dangerously"

unfortunately such is life that  there's f*cktard drivers and some f*cktard cyclists who ignore the above. 

Quite ironic as only yesterday at the end of a century ride accross Yorkshire I was thinking there hadn't been a single bad bit of overtaking. I'm not sure whether this sign creates a 'Them and us' mentality and drivers will take it as gospel in all instances.

Having spent quite a bit of time riding abroad recently, it noticable that the circumanstances its difficult to be 100% prescriptive about are resolved by courtesy, consideration and just well care for your fellow human. 

The UK however appears to full of nasty bastards who are a bit thick,  they are so unhappy they'll find something in the actions of others to moan about whever real or not.

Intollerance of  people on bikes is just a symptom of some other problem. 

Single file may be safer on a narrow road, but only from the point of view of leaving space for the possibility of encountering oncoming traffic round a blind bend, not for the benefit of vehicle drivers behind wanting to force their way past where it is unsafe to do so.

Single file or double, my only request would be to keep it disciplined and orderly.

there's a time and place for 2 abreast, and narrow roads, winding roads, and busy streets are none of them, empty B-roads are a safer place to ride 2 abreast.

as on the weekend a pair of fairly inconsiderate idiots, thought it was a good idea to ride 2 abreast up the narrowest and busiest road in my town, and even thought it was wise to overtake me while 2 abreast, and one almost got hit by a car.

Single file is most certainly the safesty way to ride when roads are narrow and twisting. Perhaps this was the message that this group was trying to get across?