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!

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*!

[Gazzar]

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

[justsomeguy]

Nope, non, nada, never, no.

Too bloody risky.

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

[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

[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:Me]

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..?