Yesterday, on the Olympia-Straße between Munich and Starnberg, my daily cycle route between home and the office, I was overtaken by this smart roadie couple. It could hardly be more stylish. The two racing cyclists have styled themselves up. She, like him, is wearing all white with world champion stripes on her skintight jersey. Everything is identical: from socks to helmets. Everything streamlined: from helmet to shoe. He on a white S-Works. Probably her too, I couldn't tell.
The two ride side by side. That was clear! She a metre or two next to him, almost in the middle of the road.
Ah well, I think, the runaways of the Tour de France 2025 are now heading for Starnberg!
A cycle path is about to start. It was newly built a few years ago. At the time, I thought it was going to be Munich Airport's fourth runway - that's how wide the fine tarmac was rolled out here. But our roadie couple stays on the road. Of course. Still side by side.
Cars come, drive up, brake, jam up. The two of them drive on side by side, undeterred. Oncoming traffic is approaching, causing even more congestion.
I watch what happens. What happens? Nothing is happening. Nothing yet.
My couple in white pull it off, presumably authorised by the world champion stripes. As a driver, I would freak out. Because this attitude triggers me.
What's the point?
"Wanna-Be-Van-der-Poels" damage the reputation of all cyclists
Just because I'm wearing chamois knickers and have pulled up my white Rapha Pro Team socks, I can get away with anything? These "wanna-be-van-der-Poels" display an arrogance and ignorance that damages the reputation of all cyclists. What's more, this behaviour often makes things really dangerous! On another day, before Wangen, an annoyed BMW driver swerved behind two racing cyclists travelling parallel and overtook with a roaring engine where you can't overtake. Scary moment! He almost collided with a Unimog. In my eyes, that was clearly provoked by the roadies. I don't understand it - we're all drivers too! What's this rubbish!
I know that the German road traffic regulations allow cyclists to ride side by side as long as traffic is not obstructed. But that's not the point. Because the law also allows me to turn up my beatbox and listen to techno music on the Isar, where others are lying in the sun and enjoying the peace and quiet and nature. Nevertheless, it's disrespectful, ignorant and extremely annoying.
So, listen up you self-proclaimed gods of the road! Cut the crap! And ride behind each other like the rest of us when cars are coming. And if there's a good cycle path, it's there. Because that's what it's made for - and that's what we paid for with our tax money!
Good to know!
In Germany, according to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), cyclists in groups of 16 or more may also ride side by side on the carriageway. In this case, they are considered a "closed formation" and may use the entire carriageway, comparable to a vehicle. It is important that the group is recognisable as belonging together, for example through a uniform riding style.
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Dimitri Lehner
Editor
