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 | Yorkshire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
1:00 AM 3rd June 2023
cars
Bike Week 2023: Top Tips For Driving Safely Around Cyclists
It’s key to be considerate around cyclists when driving. They are in a much more vulnerable position than drivers, so you should always practice care when driving near a cyclist, making sure to:
Always look for cyclists before pulling out at a junction or roundabout, making a turning manoeuvre, or changing lanes in slower-moving traffic
Leave extra room when it’s raining or has rained recently, as the road surface will be wet and slippery, creating issues for both the cyclist and your car’s stopping distance
Always hold back if you’re unsure of what a cyclist’s intention might be
When driving at night and you see a cyclist, make sure to dip your headlights as you would for any other road user
Don’t get frustrated at cyclists who aren’t hugging the curb, or a row of parked cars. Cyclists are trained to ride a little further into the road to increase their visibility and overall safety
Never drive within or park in a cycle lane that is marked with a solid white line. This is a traffic offence and can result in a fine of up to £130 in London and £70 for the rest of the UK
When overtaking, adhere to the rules of the Highway Code’s Rule 163 which states to give cyclists (as well as horse riders and motorcyclists) at least 1.5 metres of room
Keep in mind that cyclists will need to move further out into the road to avoid drains, potholes or debris on the road, so always look for hazards and give them room
Never overtake when you can see that the road ahead will narrow, or when approaching a corner
Use the 'Dutch Reach' method when opening the car door. The Dutch Reach method requires drivers to open their door with the hand that is furthest from the door (this would be your left hand for UK drivers) as it forces you to turn around and check behind you, avoiding any potential accident. The method was introduced to Rule 239 of the Highway Code in early 2022 to avoid 'dooring' - where cyclists ride into car doors that have been opened by drivers who haven't checked behind them - resulting in serious and fatal injuries.
Always look for cyclists before pulling out at a junction or roundabout, making a turning manoeuvre, or changing lanes in slower-moving traffic
Leave extra room when it’s raining or has rained recently, as the road surface will be wet and slippery, creating issues for both the cyclist and your car’s stopping distance
Always hold back if you’re unsure of what a cyclist’s intention might be
When driving at night and you see a cyclist, make sure to dip your headlights as you would for any other road user
Don’t get frustrated at cyclists who aren’t hugging the curb, or a row of parked cars. Cyclists are trained to ride a little further into the road to increase their visibility and overall safety
Never drive within or park in a cycle lane that is marked with a solid white line. This is a traffic offence and can result in a fine of up to £130 in London and £70 for the rest of the UK
When overtaking, adhere to the rules of the Highway Code’s Rule 163 which states to give cyclists (as well as horse riders and motorcyclists) at least 1.5 metres of room
Keep in mind that cyclists will need to move further out into the road to avoid drains, potholes or debris on the road, so always look for hazards and give them room
Never overtake when you can see that the road ahead will narrow, or when approaching a corner
Use the 'Dutch Reach' method when opening the car door. The Dutch Reach method requires drivers to open their door with the hand that is furthest from the door (this would be your left hand for UK drivers) as it forces you to turn around and check behind you, avoiding any potential accident. The method was introduced to Rule 239 of the Highway Code in early 2022 to avoid 'dooring' - where cyclists ride into car doors that have been opened by drivers who haven't checked behind them - resulting in serious and fatal injuries.
Drivers could be fined up to £1,000 if they open a car door (or cause or permit it to be opened) and cause an injury by doing, so drivers should take extra care and use the 'Dutch Reach' where possible to avoid hefty fines and causing injury to any fellow road users.
David Kottaun, operations manager at Scrap Car Comparison comments:
“Each year, thousands of cyclists are injured on the road, and worse, well over a hundred each year get killed. These tragedies highlight the importance for all road users to take more care and work together to create a safer place for all.
"Initiatives like Bike Week here in the UK are great ways to encourage more people to start cycling, have an enjoyable ride and get fit in the process, but these statistics can be off-putting for many. We hope that more drivers can use the advice outlined in the Highway Code, and use recent additions like the ‘Dutch Reach’ to help bring those numbers down as the years go on. There’s more than enough road for both drivers and cyclists, but regardless of how you’re travelling, people need to take more care.”
“Each year, thousands of cyclists are injured on the road, and worse, well over a hundred each year get killed. These tragedies highlight the importance for all road users to take more care and work together to create a safer place for all.
"Initiatives like Bike Week here in the UK are great ways to encourage more people to start cycling, have an enjoyable ride and get fit in the process, but these statistics can be off-putting for many. We hope that more drivers can use the advice outlined in the Highway Code, and use recent additions like the ‘Dutch Reach’ to help bring those numbers down as the years go on. There’s more than enough road for both drivers and cyclists, but regardless of how you’re travelling, people need to take more care.”