The basic change is placing “road users most at risk in the event of a collision”, at the top of the hierarchy requiring the most protection.

This will challenge many of our current motoring behaviours and will take time to bed in. A concise summary of the changes is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-to-know-from-29-january-2022

Cycling UK, which campaigned many years for these changes, has published a 2.5 minute YouTube video which visualises many of the key changes really well.  https://youtu.be/MhWi-9NrJeU

How can we as cyclists help?

How about: As most of us are also motorists we can take a lead by learning the new rules and putting them into practice.

For example:

Consider the driver in the blue car intending to turn left this junction. 

A question. You know what most drivers would probably do now but what should he/she do in future?

Answer: See H2 - Rule for drivers, motorcyclists, horse drawn vehicles, horse riders and cyclists.

At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.

Advert: By joining Cycling UK will help support their future campaigning.

Posted by Ashley McCraight