Read on Twitter
Alright, buckle up and get your THREAD reading eyes ready because we're about to have a conversation about...The Highway Code
"But Lambeth Living Streets!" you cry. "You're a charity focused on everyday walking! Why do you want to talk about rules for road users? Are you into cars now?!?"
"NO YOU FOOL" we bellow from the top of a mountain for some reason, "the Highway Code is for pedestrians too!"
"NO YOU FOOL" we bellow from the top of a mountain for some reason, "the Highway Code is for pedestrians too!"
That's right!
In fact, right now the government is consulting on changes to the Highway Code that will have massive implications for pedestrians, cyclists and...horse riders.
So if that's you, listen up!
In fact, right now the government is consulting on changes to the Highway Code that will have massive implications for pedestrians, cyclists and...horse riders.
So if that's you, listen up!
Back in 2018, when the world still made sense, the government conducted a Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy
Safety Review to better understand the issues cyclists and pedestrians face when on the road.
Safety Review to better understand the issues cyclists and pedestrians face when on the road.
More than 14,000 total nerds (
) responded, articulating all the ways the roads didn't feel like a safe place to get from A to B, let alone spend enjoyable time.
) responded, articulating all the ways the roads didn't feel like a safe place to get from A to B, let alone spend enjoyable time.
Now 14,000 total nerds () are hard to ignore! So the government set out a two year action plan to address the issues raised. And what was the top priority for those total nerds? You guessed it --- a review of the Highway Code ().
) are hard to ignore! So the government set out a two year action plan to address the issues raised. And what was the top priority for those total nerds? You guessed it --- a review of the Highway Code ().
2 years later & like any good project manager, the government has ticked off that task on their action plan - presenting to the world their proposed Review of the Highway Code.
So now it's back on our to do list under "read and provide feedback".
Let's do it together, shall we?
So now it's back on our to do list under "read and provide feedback".
Let's do it together, shall we?
First off -- the basics!
The Highway Code contains advice to all road users on what they MUST and MUST NOT do on the roads and what they SHOULD and SHOULD NOT do on the roads.
Otherwise known as that thing you study before your driving test and then never read again.
The Highway Code contains advice to all road users on what they MUST and MUST NOT do on the roads and what they SHOULD and SHOULD NOT do on the roads.
Otherwise known as that thing you study before your driving test and then never read again.
The main changes fall into three categories that we'll consider in turn;
1) Introducing a heirarchy of road users
2) Clarifying existing priority pedestrian rules
3) Establishing guidance on safe passing distance and speeds when overtaking a cyclist and/or horse & rider
1) Introducing a heirarchy of road users
2) Clarifying existing priority pedestrian rules
3) Establishing guidance on safe passing distance and speeds when overtaking a cyclist and/or horse & rider
First -- the hierarchy of road users! This might sound regal, but it's basically a means to ensure that those road users who can do the greatest harm (like drivers) have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they
may pose to other road users (like your grandma)
may pose to other road users (like your grandma)
The proposed hierarchy goes like this -- pedestrians, in particular children, older adults and disabled people are at the top (FINALLY), followed by
cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists. All other motorised vehicles come next.
cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists. All other motorised vehicles come next.
Alright alright! All those nerds screaming "but what does the actual amendment to the Highway Code say! WE WANT THE TEXT! WE WANT THE TEXT!
We hear you.
()
We hear you.
(
)
"Everyone suffers when road collisions occur, whether they are physically injured or not. But those in charge of vehicles that
can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others..."
can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others..."
"This principle applies most strongly to drivers of large
goods and passenger vehicles, followed by vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and motorcycles."
There, are you happy?
Good.
Let's move on.
goods and passenger vehicles, followed by vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and motorcycles."
There, are you happy?
Good.
Let's move on.
Want something a bit more juicy? How about this:
"At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are
turning."
"At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are
turning."
Not enough for you? What about this baby:
"Pedestrians may use any part of the road and use cycle tracks as well as the pavement, unless there are signs prohibiting pedestrians."
"Pedestrians may use any part of the road and use cycle tracks as well as the pavement, unless there are signs prohibiting pedestrians."
This one is for all the cyclists out there...
"Do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist going straight ahead to stop or swerve, just as you would do with a motor vehicle."
"Do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist going straight ahead to stop or swerve, just as you would do with a motor vehicle."
I heard that sigh of relief from here. You're right -- these changes are a long time coming. But it doesn't stop here. Ready for part two?
Here's the new rules for pedestrians...
Here's the new rules for pedestrians...
Alright, first things first -- when you're at a junction and you are crossing or waiting to cross the road other traffic should give way to you. That's right. No more waiting for a gap. They wait for you.
When sharing a space with our good friends, cyclists, cyclists should respect your safety but you should also take care not to obstruct or endanger them
unnecessarily. Basically, be a good friend!
unnecessarily. Basically, be a good friend!
Cyclists! Here's some rules for you:
You can use facilities such as cycle lanes where they make your journey safer and easier.
But just because they're there, you don't have to use them. Just use your own best judgement.
You can use facilities such as cycle lanes where they make your journey safer and easier.
But just because they're there, you don't have to use them. Just use your own best judgement.
Here's one that will be familiar to too many of you out there:
take care when passing parked
vehicles, leaving enough room (a door’s width or 0.5m) to avoid being hit if a door opens unexpectedly.
take care when passing parked
vehicles, leaving enough room (a door’s width or 0.5m) to avoid being hit if a door opens unexpectedly.
In a car and want to overtake a cyclist or a pedestrian? Here's the proposed change:
─ leave a minimum distance of
1.5 metres at speeds under 30
mph
─ leave a minimum distance of
2.0 metres at speeds over 30
mph
─ if there's not enough room to do the above, wait patiently
─ leave a minimum distance of
1.5 metres at speeds under 30
mph
─ leave a minimum distance of
2.0 metres at speeds over 30
mph
─ if there's not enough room to do the above, wait patiently
That's it! That's all we're going to cover.
If you want more detail than that () then you're just going to have to read the changes to the rules yourself! You can do that here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904038/consultation-on-a-review-of-the-highway-code.pdf
If you want more detail than that (
) then you're just going to have to read the changes to the rules yourself! You can do that here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904038/consultation-on-a-review-of-the-highway-code.pdf
Like what you've seen here?
Is something unclear?
Do you have a question?
Don't tell us, tell the government! That is, respond to the consultation -->> https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-highway-code-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders
Is something unclear?
Do you have a question?
Don't tell us, tell the government! That is, respond to the consultation -->> https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-highway-code-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders
More than 14,000 beautiful nerds told the government the status quo wasn't good enough.
If you, like them, want things to change -- then this is your chance.
RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-highway-code-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders
If you, like them, want things to change -- then this is your chance.
RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-highway-code-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders
