If you’re like most people you are unlikely to have looked at the Highway Code since passing your driving test. Or maybe you have never driven a car.
The recently updated (2022) Highway Code includes rules on the hierarchy of road users and taking extra care with more vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians.
There are also specific rules for cyclists.
These rules cover clothing and cycle helmets, cycle routes and cycle tracks, sharing space and bus lanes. Plus, what you should and should not do, and advice on road positioning, road junctions, roundabouts and crossing the road.
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82
You may feel this is all ‘motherhood’ stuff, but it’s always good to have a refresher.
The Highway Code is essential reading for all road users and easily accessible:
- order a copy of The Highway Code book online
- buy a copy from most high street bookshops
- buy the app for Apple phones and tablets
- buy the app for Android phones and tablets
You could also consider an Avanti Cycling training session for adults: https://avanticycling.co.uk/adults/
Injury and Collision Advice
If you are involved in a collision which causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you [everyone involved] MUST…
- Stop. If possible, stop in a place of relative safety.
- Give your own and the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle, to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them.
- If you do not give your name and address at the time of the collision, report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.
(Highway Code rule 286 and Road Traffic Act 1988 section 170)
If no one was injured and both parties stopped at the scene and exchanged names and addresses, there is no requirement to report the accident to the police. Road traffic law has been complied with and the police will not take a report.
However, injuries to cyclists may not be apparent at the time of a collision. You may be agitated, confused or just want to get away quickly from an unpleasant situation and not realise you have been injured.
So, at the very minimum make sure you have contact details for the other party and take a note of any registration numbers, what happened etc.
Also, bicycle forks are easily bent in a collision and this damage may not be immediately apparent.
If anyone is injured, the incident must be reported to the police. For minor injuries there may be little that they will do.
However, they are obliged to record the incident so that it appears in statistics, and you will need an incident number from the police if any insurance claim is involved.
Resources
Cycling UK full members are entitled to free cycling related legal claims advice. Call the Cycle SOS ‘Cycling UK Incident Line’ today on 0330 107 1789 or visit https://www.cyclinguk.org/member-benefits/cycling-uk-incident-line
Road Peace supports and empowers those bereaved and injured by road crashes by enabling access to high quality legal advice and justice, including fair compensation.
Helpline: 0800 160 1069
helpline@roadpeace.org
https://www.roadpeace.org/get-support/claim-compensation/
Please let us know of any incidents. We will help with advice where we can, but we also collect data to use as evidence of which areas of Reading require attention to make them safer for cycling.
Susan Children
Publicity Coordinator
