From Saturday, new regulations will come into force in Great Britain that have been included in the Highway Code to improve the safety of the weakest users, that is, people who move on foot, by bicycle and on horseback.
The decision by the Department for Transport and the Agency for the safety of drivers and vehicles is the result of a public consultation that took place from July to October 2020 and received more than 20 thousand responses from the public, businesses and of other organizations.
The main novelty is the establishment of the so-called 'hierarchy of road users' with the categories that are most at risk at the top of this pyramid.
However, this does not eliminate the need for everyone to behave responsibly, to know the Highway Code and to be respectful of other users.
This is the case of the crossing of pedestrians, who have priority and must be respected by everyone, including motorcyclists and cyclists.
The Code establishes new guidelines on paths and spaces shared by people who walk, cycle and ride horses, including the fact that pedestrians should also be careful not to obstruct or endanger them.
For example, cyclists are advised not to overtake people on foot, on horseback or in a horse-drawn vehicle up close or at high speed. They must slow down when necessary and signal their presence to people walking taking into account that pedestrians can be deaf, blind or partially sighted.
While pedaling, it is established that you must drive in the center of the reserved lane keeping a distance of at least 0.5 meters away from the curb when the cyclist is on roads busy with fast moving vehicles. More precise rules regulate the passage by bicycle alongside parked vehicles. Cyclists should be careful to leave enough space (width of a door or 1 meter) to avoid being hit if the car is opened.
Motorists and drivers of larger vehicles - specifies the new Code - will be able to cross the double white line, provided that the road is clear, when they have to overtake people on bicycles or on horseback traveling at a speed not exceeding 30 km / h.
It is also regulated the overtaking of the queues of cars waiting at intersections or traffic lights by cyclists: the maneuver is allowed both to the right and to the left, but proceeding with caution especially when deciding to pass trucks or other large vehicles.
In addition to a series of indications on the modalities of 'coexistence' between cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians (including those who move on horseback) the Code that comes into force in Gb traffic or road signs do not indicate otherwise.
People on bicycles are asked to watch out for people driving with the intention of making a turn on their path, as people driving may not be able to see them.
Finally, the changes take into consideration parking maneuvers and exiting cars.
The Dutch Reach maneuver is recommended, i.e. opening the door with the farthest arm, because this causes the torso to rotate and therefore more attention to any cyclists who are arriving.
Where the drivers or passengers of a vehicle are able to do this, they should open the door using the hand on the opposite side of the door they are opening.
For the first time, the Code includes guidance on the use of charging points for electric cars.
You are asked to park as close to the outlet as possible to avoid creating danger with cables.
It is recommended (but not required) to display a warning sign and finally to stow cables and connectors neatly to minimize the danger to other road users.
