The Highway Code: Important changes for cyclists

The Highway Code was updated on 29 January 2022, the following changes are important for cyclists:

Rule H1

Places greater responsibility on drivers of vehicles likely to cause the most harm in the event of a collision. This principle applies most strongly to drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles, vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and motorcycles.

Cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse drawn vehicles likewise have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians.

None of this detracts from the responsibility of ALL road users., including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, to have regards for their own and other road users’ safety.

Rule H2

States that, at a junction, you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning. You MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing and cyclists on a parallel crossing.

Horse riders should also give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.

Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared use cycle tracks and to horse riders on bridleways.

Only pedestrians may use the pavement. Pedestrians include wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

Pedestrians may use any part of the road and use cycle tracks as well as the pavement, unless there are signs prohibiting pedestrians.

Rule H3

Drivers and motorcyclists should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles going ahead when turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane. This applies whether the cyclist is using the cycle lane, a cycle track, or riding ahead on the road, the driver should give way to them.

Drivers and motorcyclists should not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist, horse rider or horse drawn vehicle going straight ahead to stop or swerve.

Drivers and motorcyclists should stop and wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists if necessary. This includes when cyclists are:

Approaching, passing or moving off from a junction.
Moving past or waiting alongside stationary or slow-moving traffic.
Travelling around a roundabout.

Rule 62

When using cycle tracks you MUST keep to the side intended for cyclists as the pedestrian side remains a pavement or footpath.

Some cycle tracks shared with pedestrians will not be separated by such a feature. On such shared use routes, cyclists should always take care when passing pedestrians, especially children and older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary.

Rule 63

When cycling in places where sharing with pedestrians, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles is permitted, take care when passing pedestrians and horse riders, especially children, older adults or disabled people. Slow down where necessary and let them know you are there; for example, by ringing your bell (it is recommended that a bell is fitted to your bike), or by calling out politely.

Positioning in the road when cycling

There is updated guidance for people cycling about positioning themselves which includes:

Riding in the centre of their lane on quiet roads, in slower moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings.
Keeping at least 0.5 meters away from the kerb edge (and further where it is safer) when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than them.

People cycling in groups

The updated code explains that people cycling in groups:

Should be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups.
Can ride 2 abreast – and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders.

People cycling are asked to be aware of people driving behind them and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when it is safe to do so.

People cycling passing parked cars

The updated code explains that people cycling should:

Take care when passing parked vehicles, leaving enough room (a door’s width or 1 meter) to avoid being hit of a car door is opened.
Watch out for people walking into their path.

Over taking when driving or cycling

You may cross a double-white line if necessary (provided the road is clear) to overtake someone cycling or riding a horse if they are travelling at 10 mph or less (Rule 129).

There is updated guidance on safe passing distances and speeds for people driving or riding a motorcycle when overtaking vulnerable road users, including:

leaving at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and giving them more space when overtaking at higher speeds
passing people riding horses or driving horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10 mph and allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space
allowing at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) of space and keeping to a low speed when passing people walking in the road (for example, where there’s no pavement)

Wait behind them and do not overtake if it’s unsafe or not possible to meet these clearances.

People cycling passing slower-moving or stationary traffic

The updated code confirms that people cycling may pass slower-moving or stationary traffic on their right or left.

They should proceed with caution as people driving may not be able to see them. This is particularly important:

on the approach to junctions
when deciding whether it is safe to pass lorries or other large vehicles

People cycling at junctions

The code has been updated to clarify that when turning into or out of a side road, people cycling should give way to people walking who are crossing or waiting to cross.

There is new advice about new special cycle facilities at some junctions.

Some junctions now include small cycle traffic lights at eye-level height, which may allow cyclists to move separately from or before other traffic. People cycling are encouraged to use these facilities where they make their journey safer and easier.

There is also new guidance for people cycling at junctions with no separate facilities.

The code recommends that people cycling should proceed as if they were driving a vehicle where there are no separate cyclist facilities. This includes positioning themselves in the centre of their chosen lane, where they feel able to do this safely. This is to:

make them as visible as possible
avoid being overtaken where this would be dangerous

People cycling turning right

The code now includes advice for people cycling using junctions where signs and markings tell them to turn right in 2 stages. These are:

stage 1 – when the traffic lights turn green, go straight ahead to the location marked by a cycle symbol and turn arrow on the road, and then stop and wait
stage 2 – when the traffic lights on the far side of the junction (now facing the people cycling) turn green, complete the manoeuvre

People cycling have priority when going straight ahead at junctions

The code clarifies that when people cycling are going straight ahead at a junction, they have priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of a side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise.

People cycling are asked to watch out for people driving intending to turn across their path, as people driving ahead may not be able to see them.

People cycling, riding a horse and driving horse-drawn vehicles on roundabouts

The code has been updated to clarify that people driving or riding a motorcycle should give priority to people cycling on roundabouts. The new guidance will say people driving and or riding a motorcycle should:

not attempt to overtake people cycling within that person’s lane
allow people cycling to move across their path as they travel around the roundabout

The code already explained that people cycling, riding a horse and driving a horse-drawn vehicle may stay in the left-hand lane of a roundabout when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout.

Guidance has been added to explain that people driving should take extra care when entering a roundabout to make sure they do not cut across people cycling, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle who are continuing around the roundabout in the left-hand lane.

Whilst changes to the Highway Code do not affect the law governing road users, it is important to note that the Highway Code is advisory and that infringements can be useful in helping to argue where liability should rest in the event of an accident.

The Highway Code: 8 changes you need to know from 29 January 2022 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)