The UK government is set to review guidance on how road users should behave around cyclists and pedestrians.
An updated Highway Code will explain how to avoid the dangers of close passing and encourage people to adopt the “Dutch reach”, a method of opening a car door with the hand furthest from the handle, to force drivers to look over their shoulder for passing traffic.
“Britain has some of the safest roads in the world, but we need them to be safer still for all – and particularly for cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users,” said Cycling and Walking Minister, Jesse Norman. “Cycling and walking are increasingly being understood as crucial parts of an integrated approach to issues of health, obesity, air quality and town and city planning. But this will only happen if people feel safe on the roads. These measures are part of a steady process of improvement and reform designed to achieve just that.”
The Highway Code review follows the recent publication of road casualty figures showing that 101 cyclists died in 2017 in road traffic collisions.
The government launched a new UK-wide initiative in June, to help the police crackdown on close passing.
“Close overtakes and people opening car doors in front of cyclists are not only dangerous, they also put people off riding a bike,” said Duncan Dollimore, Head of Campaigns at Cycling UK. “That’s why Cycling UK has been campaigning for changes to the Highway Code rules for many years, to make the requirements to give enough space when overtaking a cyclist, wait if you can’t, and look before you open your car door crystal clear.”
The Department for Transport is also publishing an updated national standard for cycling training manual with the latest best practice on safe cycling.
