A GROUP of teenage cyclists have been labelled as idiots after they were caught on camera moving three abreast in the middle of a busy dual carriageway.

The riders were captured on a dashcam as they made their way from Mannington and along the busy Great Western Way, towards the Bridgemead roundabout.

Taking up much of the middle lane at the roundabout, the footage shows them looking backwards and appearing to taunt the oncoming vehicles as they take up space in the road.

At one point, one of the youths darts across into the inside lane just as a car is approaching. Drivers are forced to take extreme care due to the unpredictable behaviour of the riders but the video shows patience being worn thin by their exploits.

As the group moves along the road, another of the youths hops up onto the central reservation before rejoining the carriageway again.

The video was filmed on Monday, shortly before 4pm, when the road would have been busy with cars approaching the rush hour.

Since being posted to Facebook it has been viewed more than 50,000 times with many users urging the poster to share the footage with Wiltshire Police.

One viewer, Yvonne Green, expressed her dismay at the recklessness of the group, writing “oh my god, they are going to get killed, idiots.”

Another, George Bridges, said it was ironic that the youths were engaging in such behaviour just days after the launch of a campaign urging drivers to give cyclists enough space - not the other way around.

But in defence of cyclists, Elizabeth Taylor said: “These are not cyclists, these are idiots with no idea of the Highway Code on bikes.”

Others urged the parents of those shown in the video to have strong words with their children to get across how seriously their stunt could have turned out.

A minority of those who watched the video sided with the cyclists and suggested that they were being intimidated by pushy drivers and that as “vulnerable road users” they should have been allowed more space.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "The individuals in this video are taking huge risks.

"What they are doing is extremely dangerous – riding on a very busy road like this and without any protective cycle gear like helmets and hi-vis clothing is asking for trouble.

"It’s fortunate that no one, including the cyclists and motorists, was injured in this incident."

Officers have recommended that anyone witnessing dangerous or suspicious behaviour on Swindon's roads call police on the force non-emergency number, 101.

Let us know which side of the debate you are - comment below or get in touch via social media.

Video: Alistair White