[greglepore]

This incident has me posting here rather than on the cycling forums I frequent because those folks simply can't see both sides of this tragic coin.
Let me say at the outset that the driver was a dirtbag. Long history of very bad driving behavior. Likely stoned. But, there may be some extenuating factors.
The collegiate team was taking up the right lane of a road with 2 lanes in each direction. The car in front of the offending driver had apparently been following for a bit and when the other lane cleared moved left to pass. Mr. Dirtbag floored it, apparently to go by the other car on the right, thinking he was a slowpoke, and plowed into the team, killing two and critically injuring 5.

But...I agree that if a team is going to ride like this taking a lane on a busy 4 lane they MUST have a follow car. This is not the Johnny Gaudreau scenario where the driver whipped over to the shoulder to pass and killed Johnny and his brother. No remotely extenuating circumstances there. And the extenuating circumstances here are minor, but still present.

If I'm out riding and I have someone behind who is either timid to pass or can't reasonably (ie trailering)I'll pull into a driveway. My strava stats don't matter. And I usually ride alone b/c others don't do this. Why do I? 1) I usually get a happy wave and a driver who maybe doesn't think we're all asshats 2) I avoid the danger from an impatient car 2 or 3 back and 3) I've been there pulling a trailer on a 2 lane where I might crawl at 15 mph for a couple miles due to sightlines and the inability for that rig to get quickly by. But many idiot cyclist will tell me that "I have a right to the road". Of course I do, but not exclusively.

Jeff, I disagree about the need for a "safety car" as in this scenario it would have avoided this entirely. On a two lane, I don't disagree with you. Cyclists should single up. Why this group needed a whole lane is beyond me too, but if they were out there due to a lack of shoulder etc by all means they should have had a follow car, just like a wide load truck is required to.