CYCLISTS ASK FOR MORE AWARENESS OF THE NEW HIGHWAY CODE
WEARDALE’S cyclists have pleaded with drivers to adhere to the Highway Code in relation to the
space given to them while overtaking.
The updated Highway Code, Rule 163, requires drives to extra care and give more space when
overtaking motorcycles, cyclists, horses, horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians. The advice is to give
‘vulnerable road users as much space you would give to another vehicle.
One cyclist, who does want to be named, has recounted many near misses in Weardale and is
convinced that the Dale’s roads are a death waiting to happen. The cyclist regularly rides along the
A689 from Harperley roundabout through Weardale and is appealing to motorists to adhere to the
code and keep cyclists safe. They have recorded an astounding incident rate of 33 close passes
between Harperley and Frosterley in the last few months.
The cyclist said, ‘Regarding road safety, it is caravanning time again and for many people, the first
trip of the year. Consequently, a lot of people forget that the caravan is wider than the towing
vehicle and that they need to give cyclists even more space as they are,in effect, now a long vehicle
creating potentially more dangerous draught
‘This is also the case for trailers and HGVs of any type.’
It gets worse for vulnerable cyclists if several vehicles flout this rule in quick succession. Even
worse when travelling on the numerous rough patches of road surface. On a bike, it is difficult not to
ricochet into passing traffic.
Drivers, please take note. You don’t want to be responsible for a serious accident or worse on our
A689.
