Bikeability Trust welcomes updates to The Highway Code

The Bikeability Trust welcomes updates to the Highway Code, which will come into force on Saturday 29 January 2022.

Emily Cherry, Chief Executive at The Bikeability Trust said: “We welcome these changes to the Highway Code because they encourage all road users to share their space, whilst protecting the most vulnerable. Everyone must play their part to protect themselves and others when using our roads, whether they are walking, cycling, riding a horse or behind the wheel.

“For 15 years Bikeability has been empowering people to cycle confidently on our roads, teaching 3.6 million children and thousands more families and adults. The updated Highway Code now reflects practices we teach, including riding in the ‘primary position’, which brings cyclists out of the gutter and encourages them to ride towards the middle of the lane. We are pleased to see this advice in the updated Code reflect the Department for Transport’s national standard for cycle training.

“It is vital that everyone travelling on the roads have the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge to travel independently and safely . This is why cycle training is so important, it teaches an essential life skill for sustainable travel and physical activity. Our ambition is to offer every child cycle training by 2025, to help the next generation grow up as confident, competent and courteous road users.”

The changes to the Highway Code include:

• A ‘hierarchy of road users’, placing those most at risk in the event of a collision at the top. This won’t remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly
• Guidance for cyclists to ride in the centre of the lane on quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions
• Advice for cyclists to keep at least 0.5 metres away from the kerb edge on busy roads
• An explanation that cyclists can ride two abreast – and it can be safer to do so in large groups or with children – but must be aware of drivers behind them and allow them to overtake when safe to do so
• Clarification of existing rules that drivers and motorcyclists should give priority to cyclists on roundabouts
• The introduction of a new technique known as the ‘Dutch Reach’. If a motorist is opening the right-hand door of their car, they should open it with their left hand (and vice-versa). This makes them turn their head to look over their shoulder, meaning they’re less likely to injure passing cyclists and pedestrians
• Guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking more vulnerable road-users

Find out more.

Click here if you are a Bikeability instructor and want to know what this means for delivery.