Originally Posted by
lynnlee
Large groups of cyclists are a safety issue because it makes the decision to pass or not to pass a more difficult one and the process of doing it more dangerous.
For me, passing a large group over a solid line is unsafe. Period.
I can promise you, however, that I'm in the minority.
I saw the laws you referenced when I searched though the DMV website but was unsure if they only pertain to legal passing zones.
I don't see that large groups of cyclists would be any more or less an issue than, say, a tractor trailer struggling up a hill, a farm tractor carrying a trailer or two of hay, and the like. The decision to pass will be more difficult, and the process of doing it potentially more dangerous. In which case the best and only course of action would be to follow along behind until such a time as a pass is safe or you arrive at a turnoff or your destination. If you feel that passing such a group is unsafe under any condition, be content to follow the group at a safe distance.
Since the general passing law references the centerline of the highway with no mention of indicated passing zones or not, I would assume that passing slower vehicles is allowed even over a double-yellow line, where safe. But you should definitely check with police in relevant districts for clarification rather than rely on an international bicycling forum for such advice.