Side-by-side riding - would you do it?

[Bob]

I ask as someone clearly thought it was OK the other night.

On my way home from work, I have to go uphill, then downhill into a pretty tight right turn, which goes under an overpass. A slip road also joins 'my' road just (and I do mean just) at the end of the initial turn.

Anyway, I've just crested the slope and start heading downhill, when I notice a scooter on the inside lane is indicating to change lane. So I back off and let him out.

Next thing I know, a scooter behind me decides it would be a good idea to pull alongside me and ride side-by-side! Just as we're heading downhill towards a tight bend!

Fortunately, I had allowed the guy in front plenty of space to make his move, so it meant I could accellerate briefly, then change line so that it was damned clear I wanted the WHOLE lane (yes, I use the entire lane when cornering! Move out wide for best view, adjusting as I go round depending on what is happening - for example, if someone on the slip road decides to change lane without really looking).

If you think of it in race terms, it was a bit like making a block pass... except I was already in front as it were.

I just couldn't believe that the guy thought it was OK to try to ride side-by-side, especially with someone he didn't know - so he had no idea about my riding style.

Personally, I'd never ride like that. Even when I'm out with my wife, she takes the lead and I ride a short distance behind, sitting where she can spot me in her mirror - and a bit wider than her road position so it means if someone goes to overtake, they're going to be aimed out wider to begin with, so there is less chance of them not noticing the other bike in front of mine.

So what do you guys think? Do you ever ride side-by-side? And if so, just when do you do so?

[John]

Nope, Maybe in a straight line for some reason - but other than that no way to risky, one mistake could take down two riders, or push a rider into a wrong lane. Dont like the idea at all.

[Zed]

...when I notice a scooter on the inside lane is indicating to change lane. So I back off and let him out.

Next thing I know, a scooter behind me decides it would be a good idea to pull alongside me and ride side-by-side! Just as we're heading downhill towards a tight bend!Sounds like the scooter mentality is messed up over there like it is down here Bob!:thud:


I just couldn't believe that the guy thought it was OK to try to ride side-by-side, especially with someone he didn't know - so he had no idea about my riding style.

...So what do you guys think? Do you ever ride side-by-side? And if so, just when do you do so?I do on rare occasions where, like you say, I "know" the other rider. Usually it is when we are going slowly and I pull up alongside to communicate a message in *biker sign language*! :ride:

[Gazzar]

The road would have to be a wide road and i would have to know the ather rider or no way :mad: :nono:

[justsomeguy]

Nope, non, nada, never, no.:no:

Too bloody risky.:yes:

Rarely even did it in my pushbike years.... and no back then we didn't know or care about slipstreams......:ride:

[Skyryder]

One of the no no's of riding is that you never come alongside a rider you do not know. Just bad form and dangerouse to boot.


Skyryder

[inlinefour]

I think its a stupid thing to do. But then again, if you asked me, I think its stupid to ride a scooter anyway :msn-wink:

[Wolf]

Years ago I was riding along and caught up with a lass I had introduced to the wonderful world of motorcycling (probably to her father's eternal annoyance, but, "hey") I rolled up alongside her to the right and achnowledged her with a wave, dropped my hand onto my thigh. Pauline then took her right hand from the throttle (which must've been a tad sticky as the bike didn't slow) and put it on her thigh as a "yeah, so?" gesture. We wound up holding hands and "promenading sedately" along the road until an approaching corner necessitated separating.

It must've looked funny. We had a nice long straight so we were able to do all this without risk.

[Ms Piggy]

Nope, Maybe in a straight line for some reason - but other than that no way to risky, one mistake could take down two riders, or push a rider into a wrong lane. Dont like the idea at all.
Yeah what he said.

[Beemer]

It's not something I'd be keen on doing, sharing a lane, although many car drivers seem to think it's an option - particularly the oncoming ones who decide to overtake something and use YOUR lane to do so! "Oh, it's only a bike, it has plenty of room so it can move over if it doesn't like it!"

When I started riding, Mike Esdaile (ex-Kiwi Rider) told me to command my lane - "don't ride on the edge of the road, use as much of the lane as you want because it is YOUR lane". I ride up alongside my husband when we're stopped at the lights if I want to tell him something, but if I were on the open road, I'd rather safely pass him and indicate I'd like him to pull over than ride up alongside him at anything more than walking pace.

I give scooters a wide berth mainly out of consideration for them as fellow road users, but now I'll be doing it for a different reason!

[Biff]

Most definitely no, particularly when lining up for a corner as I use the entire width of the lane - staying out late in order to get a good look around the corner then cutting in quite tightly. In addition, I always like to have an escape route, room for manoeuvre, just in case...

[FROSTY]

In a normal riding situation.Not a frigging chance sunshine. The very reason for the formation we use is to give every rider the best chance of escape in a bad situation.
That said Line abreast or parade formation in a big group looks bloody spectacular and shows fantastic riding skills.
Certainly without practice together its a nono .

[Blakamin]

In a normal riding situation.Not a frigging chance sunshine. The very reason for the formation we use is to give every rider the best chance of escape in a bad situation.

if only push-bike riders on pi-cock of a weekend (and summer) took notice.....

[Sensei]

Most of us ride near side by side down here . As most of the time it because we are chasing one another . Have done this for years ! Suppose its down to how comfortable you are with yours & the others rider skill as to how close you ride together To each there own . When you race you have to be able to ride side by side other wise you will not be winning nothing !

[bugjuice]

I'll happily ride side-by-side, but only with a biker I know well, else I keep a good safe distance and ride on the other side of the lane to them.

I think if it's someone you've riden with heaps and you know their style, and you know the road looks safe, then there's little danger there. But that's only around town and slow roads. When the pace picks up, then that's just bloody stupid and no way in hell can it be done safe. If there's a tight corner or junction or round about coming up, then just common sense to who backs off a little and gives room. But like I said, it's only with others that I know can ride well and I know well, else I just observe..

If I really know them well, you can undertake if they're slow grannies, ay Speedy..?

[Coyote]

I ride solo :cool: Only cause the L plates stopping me from going on KB rides

[hondacmx450]

[QUOTE=bugjuice]I'll happily ride side-by-side, but only with a biker I know well, else I keep a good safe distance and ride on the other side of the lane to them.

me and a mate ride like this alot up and down the country when we r ou and about :ride: :ride: :drinknsin

[John]

I ride solo :cool: Only cause the L plates stopping me from going on KB rides
not by choice eh.. :lol: just kidding, shit I'm being a toss this morning.

[Big Dave]

geez you kiwis are polite.

poker runs, charity events and generally riding with patches excluded - where side by side is uncomfortable, but acceptable.

1st I would make an appropriate 'get behind' gesture.
If that didn't work I would then go very close and yell 'f*** off you maggot' with somewhat more threatening jestures.

Reckon that would do it.

The site does say 'biker' dunnit?

[John]

geez you kiwis are polite.

poker runs, charity events and generally riding with patches excluded - where side by side is uncomfortable, but acceptable.

1st I would make an appropriate 'get behind' gesture.
If that didn't work I would then go very close and yell 'f*** off you maggot' with somewhat more threatening jestures.

Reckon that would do it.

The site does say 'biker' dunnit?
Well if your in a tank bike I would suggest just running them off the road - now thats rebelous, only if you didnt know them - or if you do what ever tickles you, personally no one gets the chance to do that to me because if they do I speed up or slow down, or boost of into the horizon clocking 280 with my finger hoving over the nos button to deliver the final nos shot ... I live a lonely lonely life, I miss my bike

[Beemer]

Went along to some motorcycle training today where a cop who trains bike cops was teaching the participants to ride in PAIRS and then in FOURS. Is it just me, or is this the kind of stuff you DON'T find in the road code? I had already decided to sit the afternoon session out after hearing that the two groups would be crossing over each other's path - that's not training to me, that's suicide. Give me a Stay Upright course any day, at least you don't have to worry about someone else hitting you!

[hondacmx450]

were thay training for the smash up raceing figer 8 way :killingme :killingme :killingme

[ManDownUnder]

no...

10 char things dammit etc

[MSTRS]

Only on a straight stretch & then only briefly to signal some change of plan or whatever

[Storm]

Only if you are confident in each others abilties or as MSTRS said re indicating change of direction etc

[loosebruce]

I do on rare occasions where, like you say, I "know" the other rider. Usually it is when we are going slowly and I pull up alongside to communicate a message in *biker sign language*! :ride:

Or when you pull a wheelie next to em and almost land your front wheel on there head :Pokey: :killingme

[Motoracer]

No, I feel unsafe doing it. If there is a rider next to me, I'd slow down or speed up to get behind or ahead of that bike.

Though with all this n00b talk, I am getting some memory back from when we were n00bs, me, Andy1 and a few others mates all on small bikes. We used pin it on the straight doing about 180-200 and sit on the tank, sometimes in the high chair position, lie down on the seat, ride side by side and try to kick or grab each other for laughs etc (what else could you do on the straights with 400 and 250 cc bikes when you didn't know how to wheelie? Come to think of it I still can't wheelie but that's not the point!). Ahhh thoes were the days, being young and stupid! Not that I'd ever go back to that level of insanity but we still had good laughs... :rolleyes:

[vifferman]

I've occasionally ridden beside another rider, but then only for short distances, usually only at around-town speeds, and only when going straight, never on corners. The only (obvious) exception to this is when riding in a large group, and then it's not really 'beside' but in staggered formation. The first time I did this (what a buzz!) was with 400 other bikers in 1975 or thereabouts, at a Honda Owners Club rally. I've since done an Easter Egg Run and a couple of other rides of a similar (or bigger size) where staggered riding was de rigeur.

[Ixion]

A good few years ago a mate an I used to do formation riding through country towns, when on a trip . Tootling down the main streets, close side by side, speed up slow down, stand up , wave, etc all side by side .All at exactly matched speeds.

Well, we were bored! And the "slow down for country town, cos the local snakes then in country towns were bastidges" was a pain. :wait: And it gave the locals something to talk about. Quite slow though < 50k and only on straight(ish) bits. And we knew each other well.

Please note that I do NOT recommend or endorse this practice. So don't do it. Do as I say not as I do. :D

[vifferman]

A good few years ago a mate an I used to do formation riding through country towns, when on a trip .
Reminds me of what I was thinking about with respect to answering this. When I was at school, the second bike I had was an almost identical one (same model, colour) to a classmate's one. We used to sometimes ride around town together, and sometimes rode side-by-side to talk. Racing was a bit pointless, except offroad.
He died shortly after that (shooting accident), so it didn't last long.:no:

[Ixion]

I reckon side by side and conversation wouldn't be any big deal on cruisers, given a straight wide road,not too much traffic and sensible (cruiser type) speed.