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As the days get longer and warmer, Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is asking both cyclists and drivers to check their knowledge of the Highway Code to ensure they understand their responsibilities to be considerate of each other on the roads.
There are many good drivers and experienced cyclists in Warwickshire who know how to look out for each other to keep each other safe and we’d like everyone to follow their example.
Sergeant Shaun Bridle said “Good drivers are patient and wait behind a cyclist until it is safe to pass them. But we also receive reports from cyclists of drivers putting lives at risk by squeezing past cyclists when it is not safe to do so. This is not acceptable. Drivers should wait until the road is clear, there are no obstructions, and it is safe to pass and allow at least 1.5metres when overtaking a cyclist.
The new Highway Code ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision including cyclists at the top of the hierarchy. This makes it clear that drivers and motorcyclists have the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
However, it does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly.
Sergeant Bridle continued “Cyclists need to be considerate of motorists who are trying to pass them, by moving from a more central ‘Primary’ road position (deterring a close pass) to a Secondary road position to invite a vehicle to pass. If there is insufficient room they should stop when safe to do so to allow faster road users to pass them. This is Rule 66 in The Highway Code.
“It's really important that all road users understand that they must consider each other and do what they can to keep each other safe on the roads.”
This is a great video from Cycling UK that shows the road positioning basics for cyclists. It’s worth watching if you are a driver too. http://ow.ly/xyYK50Npcbk
Guidance for drivers and motorcyclists:-
Guidance for cyclists:-
Cyclists riding two abreast can be a subject of heated debate, but the updated Highway Code advises that cyclists may ride two abreast as long as they are considerate of other road users:
Highway Code Rule 66: …be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups. You can ride two abreast and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders. Be aware of drivers behind you and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so
Please also consider that bright clothing, and reflective goods can make a huge difference to your visibility especially when cycling at night or in the winter months and although wearing a helmet isn’t a legal requirement, there are real safety benefits to wearing one. It is also a legal requirement to use cycle lights and reflectors between sunset and sunrise.
Please help improve road safety in Warwickshire by reporting and submitting digital footage showing potential moving traffic offences to Warwickshire Police via Operation Snap. This can range from driving dangerously or carelessly to overtaking on solid white lines, using a mobile phone while driving, ignoring traffic lights or dangerous driving around other road users, such as horse riders and cyclists. Your submission will be reviewed by one of our road traffic police officers. Click here for more information https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/operationsnap
Please follow us on social media for more information and help us share road safety advice. We are on Facebook @WarwickshireRoadSafety and Twitter @WarksRoadSafety