Riding Two Abreast
Question
Mark asked: Do double pacelines violate the statute with reference to riding two abreast when one or both lead riders rotate to the back of the line? At that point, they will be riding three or four abreast.
Answer
The statute of interest is this:
s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations
(6) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and shall ride within a single lane.
I believe the rotating riders would be considered passing rather than riding abreast. The common definition is “side by side”. It is legal to leave the right side of the roadway and in doing so, impede other traffic under certain circumstances when passing.
(5)(a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use or, if no lane is marked for bicycle use, as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
However, the main issue here is the limited understanding of impeding traffic while riding two abreast, which is sometimes taken alone and does not consider the other applicable statutes.
Please see this post:
They must be covered up or may cause an accident.
Regardless of the legalities two abreast does not leave room for the 3 feet required by vehicles. Cyclists also should provide the same consideration for pedestrians of 3 feet. The organized gangs that show up in seasons should be challenged. I saw two today that took up not only the bike lane but most of the road. There should be consequences for impeding traffic and putting others at risk.