New Highway Code changes giving Cyclists priority over Drivers

How many of you have taken the time to learn the new Highway Code rules introduced on Saturday, January 29 or more to the point how many know they exist? Do you know that cyclists are now encouraged to ride in the centre of the lane and cycle two abreast for their own safety.

According to polling the AA has warned it found two third of drivers were not aware of the Highway Code changes giving cyclists priority over drivers and this could cause “confusion and dangerous situations”

Under the new changes, every road user still has a responsibility to keep themselves and each other safe, but the changes are being put in place to reinforce to road users to be ready to give priority, leave space and be considerate of others to help keep our roads safe for everyone.

As part of the new rules, a ‘hierarchy of road users’ has been introduced to ensure those who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.

Cyclists receive fresh guidance to ride in the centre of a lane on quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions in order to make themselves as clearly visible as possible. They are also reminded they can still ride two abreast and this is encouraged, especially if accompanying less experienced riders, to improve visibility to motorists.

What do these Highway Code changes specifically mean for motorists and cyclists:

Cyclists can now cycle in the centre of the lane or ride two abreast for their own safety, whilst allowing others to overtake when it is safe for them to do so.

Drivers to give cyclists going straight ahead, priority when turning in and out of junctions

Drivers may not overtake cyclists on a roundabout in their line and must allow people cycling to move across their path, as they travel around the roundabout.

Drivers need to leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.

Cyclist to keep at least 0.5 metres away from the kerb edge (and further where it is safer) when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than them

Cyclist to take care when passing parked vehicles, leaving enough room (a door’s width) to avoid being hit if a car door is opened

Car users should now open their doors with the hand furthest from the door, a technique called the ‘Dutch Reach’ to help them look over their shoulder to see cyclists.

If you cycle regularly, you will have likely to have experienced quite a few “very scary” close pass incidents. And you are right to be concerned as every year over a 100 cyclists are killed in the UK and 3,000 are seriously injured on our roads. And with cycling’s growing popularity cycling casualties are only set to increase.

Nonetheless, representatives from the Alliance of British Drivers, want the new rules to be scraped thinking them to be ill-thought-out and just a cyclists’ charter to ride any way they wish, no matter how dangerous, without fear of any prosecution.

For example, the new rule that gives a right of way to any cyclist passing on the inside of a left-turning vehicle will no doubt raise questions on what person with sound mind would want to cycle straight on at a junction on the inside of a 40-ton articulated lorry that is signalling in front to turn left? And in fairness there is a point to be made there. But I think that ninety-nine per cent of sensible cyclists know the dangers of such a manoeuvre and would be extra vigilent in such a situation.

The changes in the Highway Code is not just guidance on how we want users to behave, they signpost the kind of community we want to live in; towns cities and villages that are friendly and safe for people to ride, walk and cycle.

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