Tright here is, we’re instructed within the Day by day Mail, “fury” over modifications to the Freeway Code. There’s “confusion” amongst highway customers. Cyclists and pedestrians will, the extra breathless information protection intimates, have carte blanche to weave throughout the highways, with drivers held culpable for each mishap.
That is, in fact, nonsense. After a weekend of but extra deceptive protection, and with the new guidelines as a consequence of come into impact later this week, right here’s a quick, potted information to what is going to change – and what is not going to.
Cyclists gained’t be “in the midst of the highway”
One of many sillier weekend headlines, from the Sunday Occasions, recommended simply this. And as I’m certain the headline author knew properly, the Freeway Code merely says cyclists ought to use the centre of the lane, and even then solely at sure instances, for instance approaching junctions or on slender sections of roads, the place a automotive overtaking would trigger hazard. It is a change to the code, nevertheless it’s not new, and even new steerage. Cyclists have been formally suggested for years to take what’s often known as the “major place” at such moments.
There is no such thing as a new rule on driving two abreast
The brand new textual content simply makes it clearer. The outdated model says individuals ought to “by no means experience greater than two abreast, and experience in single file on slender or busy roads”, which was barely imprecise and a bit sweeping. The code will now say: “You’ll be able to experience two abreast and it may be safer to take action, notably in bigger teams or when accompanying youngsters or much less skilled riders.” Hopefully over time extra drivers will perceive why it may be safer. Observe to the Sunday Occasions: the foundations don’t “encourage” driving two abreast.
There is no such thing as a new rule on not having to make use of cycle lanes
One other barely excitable paragraph from the Sunday Occasions story mentioned that the brand new Freeway Code would imply cyclists are not obliged to make use of bike lanes when one is offered. However this was the case anyway. The language has merely been made clearer, saying cyclists “could train their judgment and should not obliged to make use of them”.
There’s a tweak to precedence for pedestrians at crossings
One of the debated modifications is that drivers about to show right into a junction ought to now give option to pedestrians “crossing or ready to cross” that highway. That’s what good drivers do anyway, however it’s a change to the earlier model, which mentioned pedestrians had precedence solely “if they’ve began to cross”. As anybody will know if, say, they’ve walked by way of a metropolis with a small little one, or a frail older particular person, it may be formidable to should step out into the highway simply to assert a spot to cross.
Many modifications simply formalise fundamental courtesy
One pretty lengthy new part describes actions you’d hope have been on a regular basis behaviour for any driver, for instance to not flip at a junction “if to take action would trigger [a] bike owner, horse rider or horse-drawn automobile going straight forward to cease or swerve”. Equally, it units out minimal area necessities for overtaking cyclists, and likewise for pedestrians and horse riders. One other new ingredient says that in slow-moving visitors, drivers ought to permit pedestrians and cyclists to cross in entrance of them.
It’s not simply drivers who’re requested to be thoughtful
For instance, a brand new instruction notes that cyclists ought to give option to pedestrians on shared pathways, and to horse riders on bridleways – once more, one thing that needs to be taking place anyway. Extra extensively, the up to date Freeway Code units out the “hierarchy of highway customers”, making the uncontroversial level that faster and/or heavier modes of journey needs to be particularly cautious for individuals who are extra susceptible. Whereas this, because the code says, “most strongly applies” to these answerable for a motorised automobile, cyclists needs to be cautious for horses, and everybody needs to be cautious for pedestrians, particularly youngsters, older individuals, or individuals with disabilities.
Lastly: it’s not the fault of cyclists if drivers don’t know this
A lot of the unfavourable protection of the brand new Freeway Code has centered on supposed confusion and ignorance. And I’m certain a superb publicity marketing campaign would do one thing. However to reiterate the sooner level, a lot of that is normal good sense and courtesy anyway, whereas different parts, similar to the first place and driving two abreast, have been within the guidelines for a few years however are nonetheless routinely unknown to drivers. Possibly the modifications to the code aren’t the issue?
