Why are cyclist allowed to race on public roads? I thought they had to abide by the same highway code as all other motorists do and other motorists are not allowed to race on the public highway. Before anyone says its because they go slower, speeding and racing are two different offences on the public road. You can be racing yet not be breaking the speed limit. You will however still be committing an offence.
Because there is a peice of legislation that allows them to i.e. Cycle Racing on Highways Regulations 1960 (amended 1980 & 1995). Obviously this does not however apply to cars.
today a group of cyclist made it very difficult for myself and a ford focus to get past safely. It wasn't a particularly good bit of road either and as the cyclist were not riding single file it added to the difficulty. Roads are for getting from place to place. Not to be used for recreational purposes.
Rule 163 of the highwaycode states that you should give cyclists at least as much room as you would a car when overtaking, therefore if you have difficulty in passing a cyclist safely, then you probably shouldn't be attempting the overtaking manoeuvre in the first place. Also cyclists are not legally required to ride single, Rule 66 of the Highway Code requires them to not ride more than two a breast, however they should ride single file on narrow, or busy roads or when riding around bends.
Wether we like it or not, roads aren't actually just for getting from place to place, they can legally be used for recreational purposes by cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians and even other motorists in some cases (a mini run is a recreational event after all)