Meanwhile on the Roads...

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 10:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124517911#Comment_124517911

where did you read this? you are required to cycle 'legally' but are under no obligation to adjust your behaviour to facilitate an overtake.

if the overtaking driver wishes to overtake you, they must wait until they can see far enough ahead that there is no oncoming traffic, and thus by default must be able to occupy the oncoming lane totally, and safely. so if you need to keep as far left as you can to facilitate an overtake, that implies they can't safely occupy the oncoming lane, so should not overtake at all.

the ROTR does not state you have to hug the left hand side of the road:

Cycling safely
Positioning: You may need to move out from the normal secondary position on the road (left side of the lane) to a more primary riding position (centre of the lane) in order to:
• get the best view of the road and junctions ahead.
• increase visibility for approaching traffic, especially where a driver’s view may be blocked.
• turn left or right, enter a roundabout, change lanes or approach a bend.

CramCycle · 02-06-2026 10:33AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124517911#Comment_124517911

Left of the central divide, or in the left lane of a multilane carriageway. It does not mean to the left of that lane. Cyclists are legally allowed ride abreast of each other but no more than one abreast (i.e. two people side by side). Riding abreast of each other shortens the overtake time and also gives rise to a motorist having to consider if they can actually make the overtake as they can't just skim by you.

If a driver cannot overtake you safely while reading abreast of each other, it is unlikely they can do so if you are single file.

There are of course common sense things to do, but as this is the internet, this will be lost on some. For example, I tend to ride in hard shoulder where safe to do so. If there is a convoy forming behind and it is safe to do so, I will often slow at the next layby to give a chance for people who wish to overtake to do so.

Seth Brundle · 02-06-2026 10:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124517911#Comment_124517911

And that means that just like any car, I'm legally obliged to stay as left as possible when somebody wants to overtake me legally (so dotted line, under speed limit etc).

This is not correct. We keep left as in drive on the left. There is no requirement to drive in the gutter.

Strictly speaking that means that when cycling as the outer of 2 abreast I have to go single file when a motorbike car or other bike wants to overake legally.

Again, this is not correct in any manner.

I generally do this anyway as a common courtesy but wasn't aware that it was mandatory until the overtake has happened.

By singling out, you are being courteous but you are also potentially encouraging unsafe overtakes.

I certainly didn't realise I was subject to everything applicable to the "driver" of a "vehicle".

You aren't subject to everything that the driver of a car is subject to (and vice versa).

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 10:53AM

if you are cycling on a road, you do not want to be cycling on the extreme left as there is more debris and the road is also more likely to be uneven.

take a scenario where i have left a (very reasonable) 50cm gap between my shoulder and the side of the road; i am approx 50cm wide too. so i am 'occupying' 1m of the lane, which is say 3m.

if the speed limit is 60km/h, the guidance is that a motorist gives me 1.5m clearance - so now 2.5m of the road is used up, even before we allow the width of the vehicle itself; most modern cars are 2m+ wide - so in order to overtake, the motorist's driver side wing mirror is now 4.5m out from the extreme left of the road.

except in extremely rare circumstances, they will undoubtedly have their driver side wheels well over the white line - and should only do this when there is no oncoming traffic. and if there's no oncoming traffic, there's no issue with them leaving the lane properly to overtake.

Steoller · 02-06-2026 11:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124517911#Comment_124517911

There is no legal requirement to go single file if you are being overtaken.

However, there is a legal requirement to go single file if you are overtaking.

So that means there is one scenario where it is legal to have cyclists 3 abreast on Irish roads: Where two cyclists riding side by side are overtaken by a third.

TerrieBootson · 02-06-2026 11:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518006#Comment_124518006

Out of curiosity, what do you suppose left side of the lane means?

CramCycle · 02-06-2026 11:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518209#Comment_124518209

Just left of the centre of the lane, it does not mean the gutter. @magicbastarder is also quoting the ROTR which are an interpretation of the law, not the actual law

Scrabbel · 02-06-2026 11:31AM

I agree with much of the last few replies as they are common sense and a good balance between cyclists and those who want to overtake LEGALLY (that is a given in all this discussion - nobody is expected by the law to change their position to facilitate say an overtake across a solid centre line). The main point I want to get across is that we have obligations to make efforts to take up a position to allow faster vehicles to overtake legally.

For anyone who (like me) was unaware of that legal obligation, it's in Regulation 9 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations , 1997. (Also S.3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 makes it clear that a cyclist is the "driver" of a "vehicle")
"9. Save where otherwise required by these Regulations, a vehicle shall be driven on the left hand side of the roadway in such a manner so as to allow, without danger or inconvenience to traffic or pedestrians, approaching traffic to pass on the right and overtaking traffic to overtake on the right."

Of course this doesn't in any way excuse car or motorbike drivers overtaking dangerously but we do have obligations as cyclists too.

Seth Brundle · 02-06-2026 11:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518219#Comment_124518219

The main point I want to get across is that we have obligations to make efforts to move left to allow faster vehicles to overtake legally.

Where exactly is this defined?

CramCycle · 02-06-2026 11:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518219#Comment_124518219

This literally means stay on the left of the road way, not the lane.

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 11:35AM

a vehicle shall be driven on the left hand side of the roadway

what do they mean by 'roadway'? lane? or the entire road?

if the latter, and it's a two lane road, i could hug the white line in the centre and still be on the left side of the roadway.

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 11:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518237#Comment_124518237

yeah, i'm reading nothing more than 'conduire a gauche' from that.

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 11:38AM

to confirm that:

“roadway” means that portion of a road which is provided primarily for the use of vehicles;

https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1993/act/14/section/2

so on a two lane road, it means nothing more than 'stay in the left lane'.

CramCycle · 02-06-2026 11:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518241#Comment_124518241

Seen this on a sign entering Longford town a few years ago, along with the "Links fahren". I mused to myself, how far was a person from the continent driving on the wrong side of the road that they needed to be reminded at Longford town.

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 11:47AM

maybe they were worried about someone coming from a boating holiday on the shannon, not having driven for a week…

though longford is still a bit of a distance from the shannon.

TerrieBootson · 02-06-2026 12:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518218#Comment_124518218

Who said gutter? ROR is an authoritive intepretation of the law for the purpose of advice and instruction. Your interpretation may differ, but holds no authority, because it's just your opinion. But I applaude your relaxation of the position from anywhere left of the middle of the road to left of the middle of the lane. Good man!

Scrabbel · 02-06-2026 12:10PM

To everyone saying it's enough just to be anywhere on the left side of the road, that is ignoring the rest of the obligation saying

"…in such a manner so as to allow, without danger or inconvenience to traffic or pedestrians, approaching traffic to pass on the right and overtaking traffic to overtake on the right."

Basically, we're supposed to allow people the chance to overtake. As well as being the law it's just good sense and common courtesy.

Seth Brundle · 02-06-2026 12:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518346#Comment_124518346

Can you point to legislation that states exactly where in a lane one should drive or cycle?

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 12:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518355#Comment_124518355

you're missing the point.

on a two lane road, there is no position you can hold within the left lane which should unduly prevent someone from performing a safe overtake.

if they cannot overtake you safely if you're cycling in primary position, they likewise cannot overtake safely if you're in secondary position.

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 12:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518346#Comment_124518346

the law states you've to cycle in the left of the 'roadway'. the ROTR states it's not only legal, but often logical, to cycle in the primary position, in your lane.

where does the law state cyclists have to stay to the left of the lane?

Scrabbel · 02-06-2026 12:29PM

Nothing that any of you have said cuts across the clear obligation I've already quoted. It's a general principle that has to be applied to the conditions. So no you don't have to stay within 1 ft of the left kerb if the overtaking vehicle has plenty of space otherwise to overtake. But on the other hand if I'm 2 abreast (edited from 3) taking up most of the left lane and a car driver thinks rightly they'd be too close to the outer cyclist if they passed by in the right lane and holds back, then I'd suggest we temporarily change position to give the car driver space to overtake. That would be cycling "on the left hand side of the roadway in such a manner so as to allow, without danger or inconvenience to traffic or pedestrians, approaching traffic to pass on the right and overtaking traffic to overtake on the right."

As I said, law, good sense and common courtesy combined.

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 12:36PM

But on the other hand if I'm 3 abreast

as stated earlier, this is illegal unless the outer cyclist is overtaking.

CramCycle · 02-06-2026 12:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518412#Comment_124518412

If you are 3 abreast, unless one is overtaking, then you are breaking the law. You should never be cycling like this, and if you are, you and those you cycle with are breaking the law.

TerrieBootson · 02-06-2026 12:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518383#Comment_124518383

You tell me. You're the one who originally quoted from the rules "left of the lane"

Scrabbel · 02-06-2026 12:44PM

Yes, well clarified. I should have said either trying to overtake or cycling 2 abreast on a relatively narrow road. Anyway, the point is, I'd re-position to allow a car or motorbike to overtake safely and not risk passing too close to me. In fact, even if on my own, I'd make sure to stay as far left as I could to allow someone overtake legally, as that's what the law says.

CramCycle · 02-06-2026 12:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518346#Comment_124518346

Not one for nuance are we, there are multiple laws governing road position. The main one is that you stay to the left of the roadway (not lane) in the direction of travel but there are numerous others. The position you are referring to is secondary position, you would move into this on roads where there is clear sightlines, no obstructions and where it is generally safe to overtake. It is however, typically only appropriate in those scenarios. It is not to the left most of the lane, it is between the edge of the roadway and the centre of the lane you are travelling in. In most cases, you would ride in the primary position (middle of the lane). There are numerous other scenarios where your position would be different, a line of parked cars, you would move out further than primary to avoid being doored and for better sightlines on people coming out between parked vehicles. If you plan to turn right up ahead would be another reason. On roads with hard shoulders, provided there are no obstructions and there is no obvious danger to you, you can and I often would, ride in the hard shoulder where wide enough to do so.

Seth Brundle · 02-06-2026 12:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518453#Comment_124518453

…on a relatively narrow road

Is there even room to overtake where the driver overtaking is providing sufficient safe space to perform the overtake?
If not, then they should wait (something many people driving seem to have difficulty in understanding)

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 12:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518453#Comment_124518453

I'd make sure to stay as far left as I could to allow someone overtake legally, as that's what the law says.

where?

magicbastarder · 02-06-2026 12:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518436#Comment_124518436

i provided sources; are you willing to?

Scrabbel · 02-06-2026 01:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124518483#Comment_124518483

Regulation 9, as quoted above, in particular the "in a manner" section. Basically, do what you can to allow someone overtake safely.

Meanwhile on the Roads...

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