Highway code ?
"instead of following the highway code and riding in single file..."
That would be the bit that says you can ride 2 abreast then ? (section 66 "never ride more than two abreast")
"a large proportion fo them are, in fact, idiots."
I also think you could say the same of the driving community if you only read their opinions in the Sun, plenty of cars I see speeding, not wearing seatbelt, talking on mobiles or jumping red lights
Dont tar everyone with the same brush, is it any problem if you get delayed by 2 mins going to B & Q on a Sunday ?
Why not try it you may like it ?