Cyclists' pack riding on national road sparks safety concerns

A cycling club's decision to ride in a tight pack, occupying most of one lane on a two-lane national road in South Korea, has ignited a debate over safety and public consideration. Video footage shared online showed about 20 cyclists riding parallel, effectively blocking traffic on a road with a speed limit of 60 km/h.

“

All cycling clubs are not like this, but I wish they would choose methods like dividing the pack safely or having support vehicles wait at certain points so that they don't make other people frown.

The cyclists also obstructed the path for right-turning vehicles at an intersection. The video highlighted that the road section had a solid yellow line, prohibiting crossing the center line, which increases the risk of accidents if vehicles attempt to overtake. The presence of a support vehicle trailing the group further exacerbated traffic congestion, leading to concerns about reckless overtaking.

“

I ride alone for this reason.

The YouTuber who posted the video emphasized that not all cycling clubs behave this way, urging for responsible pack riding practices, such as dividing groups or having support vehicles wait at designated points, to avoid public annoyance. A real-time poll conducted on the channel revealed strong public disapproval, with 94% of respondents deeming the cyclists' behavior unacceptable.

“

Doing this on a one-lane road is too much.

Online comments from viewers mirrored this sentiment, with many expressing frustration and concern. "This is why I ride alone," one user commented, while another stated, "Doing this on a one-lane road is too much." Others voiced fears of a major accident, calling the behavior "something that could lead to a catastrophe" and "an action that makes all cyclists look bad."

“

What if an accident happens? It would be a catastrophe.