We are safer in groups

I haven’t said this before so I’ll say it now: I will try to not argue the law, but I will point out the problems or impracticality of laws. That’s to say if you’re caught breaking the law as it’s written, then you deserve the punishment. But just because it’s a law doesn’t always mean it’s the absolute best scenario for all involved.

On to the concept of riding in groups...

In Virginia, there’s a law that states that bicyclists must ride in single file to allow faster traffic to pass. We’re allowed to ride two abreast if we’re not impeding traffic. However....

It's safer for everyone if we ride in small groups. As the saying goes- there’s safety in numbers. Part of the reason is visibility, and the other reason, sadly, is that a rage-a-holic motorist is more likely to assault the lone cyclist (and it does happen) than a group where there could be witnesses.

If we stay doubled up in a small group of 6-8 riders, we take up about the space of a small car, and are visible as a lane-occupying entity. If we single 6-8 riders out in a line, we become much longer and create an unsafe environment. It allows a car to try to pass when there may not be enough room. If we make ourselves the size of a car, it forces a driver to make a decision to pass when the oncoming lane is truly clear rather than allowing a vehicle just enough room to squeeze between the bicyclists and an oncoming car.

By NOT allowing cars to easily pass unless truly safe, we create our own safety buffer. The reason is simple: if someone tries to pass a group of cyclists while an oncoming car is present and has to choose between a head-on collision with another vehicle or taking out a couple of bicyclists, they're going to opt for the softer and safer (for the motorist) bicyclists.