Highway Code changes for cyclists - important new rules for those on bikes

The Highway Code is set to have some crucial updates made to it this week. The changes are set to impact all kinds of road users but will have the overall goal of making roads safer for people on foot, bikes and horses.

The changes are coming into play after a huge consultation with the public was conducted to find out what people wanted and how they used the roads.

20,000 people took part in the consultation, with the government saying that most people who responded were in favour of the proposed changes.

The new rules will work to make motorists more aware of cyclists and pedestrians, ensuring a safer experience for all road users.

When are the Highway Code changes coming in January?

Cyclists also need to be more careful around pedestrians under the new rules (Getty Images)

The changes will be made from Saturday, January 29, with eight changes in total set to come into force.

We take a look at all the ones likely to affect cyclists

Road user hierarchy

Three new changes are coming in that will impact road use hierarchy. This rule enforces the idea that motorists need to be more aware of cyclists, and cyclists need to be more aware of pedestrians.

The change in rules will see users who are most at risk moved to the top of the hierarchy.

The government website says: "The hierarchy places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. It does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly."

People crossing at junctions

According to the government, the new update will mean that:

• "When people are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction, other traffic should give way
• if people have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, the people crossing have priority and the traffic should give way
• people driving, riding a motorcycle or cycling must give way to people on a zebra crossing and people walking and cycling on a parallel crossing

"A parallel crossing is similar to a zebra crossing, but includes a cycle route alongside the black and white stripes."

Walking cycling and riding in shared spaces

Shared areas will ask that people on pushbikes respect the safety of people walking, although pedestrians too must take care not to endanger anyone.

The government says: "People cycling are asked to:

• not pass people walking, riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle closely or at high speed, particularly from behind
• slow down when necessary and let people walking know they are there (for example, by ringing their bell)
• remember that people walking may be deaf, blind or partially sighted
• avoid passing a horse on the horse’s left"

Positioning in the road when cycling

Motorists are being urged to stay safe around cyclists (PA)

The road position that cyclists take up when using highways is due to have updated guidance. The government will now ask cyclists to begin:

• "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 metres (just over 1.5 feet) away from the kerb edge (and further where it is safer) when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than them"

This section of the code will also impact people riding in groups, saying they:

• "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"

Cyclists are also asked to be aware of people driving behind them and let them overtake if they wish to. This might include moving into a single file or even stopping if necessary.

It also discusses that people riding bikes need to:

• "take care when passing parked vehicles, leaving enough room (a door’s width or 1 metre) to avoid being hit if a car door is opened
• watch out for people walking into their path"

Overtaking when cycling

Updates are expected about safe passing distances, as well as speeds.

The government say this will include:

• "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)"

This also means waiting behind someone and not overtaking until it is safe to do so by meeting these spaces.

The update will also "confirm that people cycling may pass slower-moving or stationary traffic on their right or left, although they are advised to be careful as people they pass might not be able to see them.

People cycling at junctions

The news will no doubt be welcomed by cyclists, who often have to deal with many hurdles when getting from A to B (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

When turning in or out of a side road you need to give way to people waiting to cross or who are already walking across.

The government also say: "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."

If there are no separate cycling facilities on a junction, then people on bikes should behave in the same way as car drivers. This will mean, where safe, positioning yourself in the middle of your correct lane at junctions.

When it comes to turning right, advice is be handed down for cyclists using junctions that involve making the turn in two stages:

• "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"

The new advice also adds that people on bikes have priority when going straight ahead on junctions.

"They have priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of a side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise", the government says.

"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."

Cycling on a roundabout

Drivers and motorcyclists should now give priority to cyclists on roundabouts. The guidance will say they 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"

Cyclists will still be able to remain in the left-hand lane when going across or around a roundabout. The new guidance is due that will tell motorists to pay extra attention to this, taking care not to cut off cyclists doing this.