trw999 wrote:

As a cyclist, the guidance that interests me the most is the following:

"The wording of rules regarding passing distances has been amended and now includes guidelines for overtaking pedestrians, cyclists and horses. It now advises motorists to:
Leave a minimum distance of 1.5m at speeds under 30mph;
Leave a minimum distance of two metres at speeds over 30mph;
Always leave a distance of at least two metres if driving a large vehicle;"

Sir Stirling Moss used to 'leave enough room for the cyclist to fall off' when passing them, so almost completely on the other side of the road in places like London.

Now, hands up those who have a re-read the Highway Code in the last three years?!

Tim

That could prove interesting on a couple of the roads into our village, where they are less than the width of 1 car +1.5m

Our village is very popular for cyclists. The current approach I take is position my car about 5-6 car lengths back, drop a gear so there's some engine noise to alert cyclist. With luck, they will drop in to one of the (unofficial) passing spaces that have been gouged out of the verges over the years and you can proceed past. If they're not particularly bothered about anyone outside of their bubble of 1, prepare to sit behind them for the next couple of minutes. Using the gaps in the verges to overtake isn't possible as they are usually just about the length of a van, nowhere near enough to perform any kind of safe pass.

Click image to enlarge

It gets significantly more exciting if you meet each other in opposite directions. A few times I've watched in amusement as a cyclist/motorist/motorcyclist has sailed past the only pull-in for half a mile and seem enraged when I just stop as I have nowhere else to go Current driveway contents:
2021 V60 Cross Country B5
2009 FL2 dog bus and shooting wagon

On Order: 2023 Fisker Ocean Ultra - deposit paid.

trw999 wrote:

As I am sure that everyone reading this is aware, a new Highway Code with new regulations comes int effect in late January 22. Here is an article on it: https://www.driving.co.uk/news/cyclists-an...d-to-know/

As a cyclist, the guidance that interests me the most is the following:

"The wording of rules regarding passing distances has been amended and now includes guidelines for overtaking pedestrians, cyclists and horses. It now advises motorists to:
Leave a minimum distance of 1.5m at speeds under 30mph;
Leave a minimum distance of two metres at speeds over 30mph;
Always leave a distance of at least two metres if driving a large vehicle;"

Will they also have to stop at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings? Unlikely

IanMetro wrote:

Does this mean that cyclist will no longer squeeze through gaps of slowly moving traffic in my local towns and cities as they now have to leave a 1.5 to 2 metre gap when overtaking?

Locally during rush hour conditions are horrific for car and lorry drivers as cyclists and motor bikes desperately try to force their way to the head of any queue or line of slowly moving traffic.

Heck no, why would cyclist not do this!

Sidthecat wrote:

Will they also have to stop at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings? Unlikely

True - everyone for themselves in London Jules when it comes to the roads

I wonder could the cyclist claim damages off the driver or his insurance

I would like to think so.

The thing is for the injured party its not over at the court hearing - recovery can take years and may not be 100%.

When I was 19 I was T-boned off my motorbike by someone pulling out of a T junction. I went flying through the air and my bike went under the car.

I suffered compound left tibia & fibula fractures. I was on crutches for 11 months due to complications and the need for repeated surgery. I could not depress a clutch peddle for 2 years due to muscle wasting and nerve damage. I had to give up competitive dinghy sailing and never was able to get back to the same level as my leg was not strong enough to haul me around a boat quickly.
43 years later my left ankle is stiff and I have pain after a mile or so of walking. Luckily I can cycle hundreds of miles without pain but the left leg remains obviously thinner my right.

Mine was a relatively minor injury, I can only imagine what that poor chap will have to go through on his road to a recovery.

The long term consequences of injuring someone often seems to be down played.

It took me 5 years to obtain compensation, partly because the surgeon was initially unable to offer a prognosis and level of permanent disability. Jules