“Cyclists should be single file”: Conservative politician Susan Hall reignites two-abreast riding debate… gets reminded of Highway Code rule change from almost three years ago; Pidcock and Van Gass awarded OBE in New Year Honours + more on the live blog

We are a few hours away from 2025, meaning it will be three years since the new Highway Code came into effect. But for some reason, it still feels that we are running in circles around the two-abreast riding issue.

In case you missed last Friday’s live blog, the talk of the town was the close-pass footage captured by a cyclist during a training ride with six other riders in Co. Down, Northern Ireland. According to the cyclist, the driver “just had to hold back for 10 seconds” as the road widened round the bend, however, they still went for the overtake — despite a median strip with hatched markings on the road as well as oncoming traffic.

> “An unwelcome visit from Santa’s little helpers”: Cyclist reports close-passing driver who “just had to hold back for 10 seconds”, but social media users accuse them of “hogging the road” by not “riding single file”

Driver of SEAT reg BEZ1182 will get an unwelcome visit from Santa’s little helpers after this Christmas Eve #ClosePass 👮 #OpSnap pic.twitter.com/3J0fzsHc0A

— CountyDownCycling (@CyclingDown) December 24, 2024

As is with most things cycling, the clip found its way into the hands of another Twitter account that posed a rather deep, philosophical question: “Who’s in the wrong here? Driver or cyclist?”

And according to London Assembly’s Conservative leader Susan Hall, it’s the cyclists. Why, you ask? “As they should be single file,” she said, before adding: “I will now brace myself for the inevitable abuse that I get every time I mention cyclists.”

If by abuse, she meant people — and I mean even her followers agreeing with her — pointing out that Rule 66 of the Highway Code, which was updated in January 2022 and states: “You [cyclists] can ride two abreast and it can be safer to do so,” she was spot-on.

> Why do cyclists ride two abreast?

“I think they can legally ride two abreast Susan.”

“Unfortunately the driver is in the wrong. New Highway Code says they can ride two abreast and he overtook in a no overtaking zone?”

“You’re legally wrong. You may need to read the Highway Code Susan.”

“Cycling two abreast is within the law and is often preferable for safety.”

"It's damn ridiculous, quite frankly," Susan Hall's thoughts on bike lanes ahead of the 2024 London mayoral elections

Hall has been vocal about her dislike of cyclists and cycling infrastructure in the past, with ‘anti-cycling policies’ such as ripping out bike lanes a prominent feature of her 2024 London mayoral campaign. While campaigners accused her of dragging cyclists into “phoney culture wars”, she was convincingly beaten in the elections by Sadiq Khan with pro-active travel policies, winning an unprecedented consecutive third term.

> Conservative London mayoral candidate claims "virtue signalling" cycle lanes are causing "gridlock" and "havoc", would review cycling infrastructure if elected to end "war on motorists"

And as Henry (and a few others) also pointed out: “Better for drivers if they are riding in a neat, two-abreast pack — they occupy half the length of road and are better at stopping riders drifting off the back.”

Another person commented: “Two-by-two is about safety for the cyclist. They are on a bike FFS, not in a box of metal all nice and safe from the elements. Why does the UK hate cyclists so badly when we produce some of the best in the world? In Europe motorists respect cycling, I’m at a loss.”

Same, unknown stranger on social media. Same.

And this last comment from the page Cycling in London: “Your opinion on road safety is as good as your mayoral campaign.”

Ouch.

The cycling world is mourning the loss of Gianni Savio, one of the sport’s most influential team managers, who passed away last night at the age of 76 after a long illness. Known for his knack for spotting talent and his unrelenting passion for the sport, Savio’s contributions to cycling were immense and far-reaching.

His daughters announced the news about his death, writing: “He taught us the value of family, righteousness, respect and generosity towards those less fortunate in life. He taught us to be courageous and proud.

“He taught us to face life with the same determination that he always asked his riders to show in races.”

Gianni Savio with Team Androni Giocattoli (now GW Shimano–Sidermec) at Le Tour de Langkawi in 2014 (image by Sadhbh O'Shea on Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Hailing from Turin, Savio built a remarkable career as a directeur sportif spanning more than four decades. He began managing teams in 1986, eventually taking the helm of outfits like ZG Mobili–Selle Italia and GW Shimano–Sidermec (formerly Androni Giocattoli). Savio was renowned for cultivating a pipeline of South American cycling talent, bringing riders like Egan Bernal, who went on to win the 2019 Tour de France, and Michele Scarponi into the global spotlight.

Savio’s teams became synonymous with gritty underdog stories, often outperforming wealthier squads thanks to his leadership and vision. Beyond his team management, he also served as a national coach for Colombia and Venezuela, underlining his commitment to the growth of cycling across borders.

Cyclists and colleagues alike remember Savio for his larger-than-life personality, encyclopaedic knowledge of the peloton, and relentless drive to develop new talent. His daughters paid tribute to him in a touching message, recalling his determination and the values he instilled in both his family and his riders.

Here's a decade-old picture from when Ryan met up with the man himself in Armagh before the start of the third stage of the 2014 Giro d'Italia. Ryan mentioned that Savio was baffled that "some young fella from Northern Ireland was excited to meet him and get a photo"!

It’s not easy being a United supporter, as Ryan and I would tell you. But imagine loving the team so much that you cycle all the way from Mongolia to see them play a match at Old Trafford.

And then they put up an abysmal performance in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle, with zero shots on target and a frantic 32nd-minute substitution of a 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo for Joshua Zirkzee (which in all honestly saved us from an absolute drubbing).

Either way, I can only hope that Ochirvaani, who crossed 20 countries to visit the Theatre of Dreams and even fulfilled his promise to his mother of making her watch a match for the first time, had a good time. Starting at his home in Mongolia in May 2023, he took on the challenge to overcome his personal nightmare — losing money & faith in himself after being deceived by someone posing as a football agent.

My friend @WazzaOchiroo is finally in England. Over the last year he has cycled from Mongolia to the UK! 🚴‍♂️

His dream has always been to play football in England, and after his journey Ochiroo is deserving of a place in @socceraid's World XI!

RT, let's make it happen!

🧵below pic.twitter.com/1s9X9fgKl1

— Jack Brazil (@jackbraz29) April 20, 2024

Ochirvaani wrote on social media: “I cycled all the way from Mongolia to Manchester to watch my first match at Old Trafford — proof of how much I love Manchester United! Today, I fulfilled a childhood promise to my mom by taking her to see a game.

“No matter how tough things get, my love for this team is unshakeable.”

Here’s a heart-warming video of him being surprised by his (and my) idol and hero, Wayne Rooney, at Old Trafford earlier in May…

An essential addition to your New Year reading list...

> The biggest cycling stories of 2024

After incredible performances at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games from Team GB, a total of 12 cyclists have been included in the King’s New Year Honours awards list, including four Olympic and six Paralympic gold medallists, alongside two exceptional community cycling champions, for their services to cycling.

Tom Pidcock, who after a sensational battle with home favourite Victor Koretzky won a second consecutive gold medal in the mountain bike race, has been awarded an OBE for services to cycling.

Tom Pidcock with his gold medal in Men's cross country race at 2024 Paris Olympics (Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Besides Pidcock, four-time Paralympic gold medallist Jaco van Gass, who brought home two golds from Paris in the C1-5 mixed team sprint and C3 individual pursuit, has also been recognised with an OBE for his services to cycling.

Jaco van Gass wins C3 3,000m individual pursuit gold, 2024 Paris Paralympics (Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

Meanwhile, Sophie Capewell, Emma Finucane and Katy Marchant, who made history at this summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games becoming the first-ever British women’s team sprint squad to win Olympic gold, have each been awarded an MBE.

Katy Marchant, Sophie Capewell, Emma Finucane after winning the gold medal in Women's Team Sprint, 2024 Paris Olympics (Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

Also recognised with an MBE for services to cycling were tandem riders Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl who won an incredible two gold, one silver and one bronze medal across the road and track, as well as fellow tandem riders Lizzi Jordan and Danni Khan who took home a gold medal in their first Paralympic Games.

Having added a silver medal to his Paralympic medal collection in the men’s C3 individual pursuit, before winning the men’s C1-3 road race in sensational style against a duo of French riders, Fin Graham was also awarded an MBE.

Finally, 67-year-old Yorkshire cycling volunteer Val French was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to cycling after this year becoming the first British Cycling Breeze Champion to lead 1,000 women-only bike rides. Breeze is British Cycling’s groundbreaking programme to get more women riding bikes for fun and since 2011 Val has helped more than 5,000 women on to bikes and played a huge role in narrowing the gender gap in participation in the sport.

Val French, recipient of the BEM award at 2025 New Year Honours

Rounding up the list is 73-year-old Christopher Sprules, who was also awarded the BEM for his services to cycling, having helped to grow cycling group Sustrans in Sussex, as well as working on projects to encourage people to walk or cycle.

British Cycling CEO, Jon Dutton OBE, said: “On behalf of everyone at British Cycling, I’d like to congratulate all of those recognised for their services to cycling in the New Year Honours list and thank them for their contribution to our great sport. 

“It’s fantastic to see our Olympic and Paralympic heroes recognised for their extraordinary achievements which brought joy to so many over the summer Games.

“I’m especially pleased to see Val recognised for her exceptional efforts in supporting women to get out on their bikes and experience the joy of cycling for themselves. Volunteers like Val are the absolute backbone of our sport and her passion and dedication is helping to change thousands of people's lives for the better.”