In line with a brand new survey, most drivers stay unaware of fundamental Freeway Code guidelines round cyclists with widespread misunderstanding nonetheless placing susceptible highway customers in danger greater than three years after key modifications have been launched.
A ballot of two,000 UK motorists by Scrap Automotive Comparability discovered that almost all incorrectly consider cyclists should trip single file, hold near the kerb, and use cycle lanes. One in three respondents mentioned cyclists shouldn’t have equal rights on the highway.
The Freeway Code was up to date in January 2022 to strengthen protections for susceptible highway customers, together with cyclists. Among the many most important modifications have been the introduction of a brand new highway consumer hierarchy and steering for cyclists to trip within the centre of the lane in sure conditions, corresponding to on quiet roads or close to junctions, and to keep up a protected distance from the kerb even on busier roads. The updates additionally make clear that cyclists are usually not obliged to make use of cycle lanes and will trip two abreast when acceptable.
The findings confirmed greater than three-quarters (77%) incorrectly believed cyclists should use a cycle lane if one is obtainable, and 65% wrongly thought cyclists should hold as far left as potential. Over half believed cyclists ought to at all times trip in single file, and simply 34% appropriately recognised that cyclists are allowed to take up a full lane.
Misconceptions about biking behaviour additionally gas wider negativity: 74% of drivers admitted to feeling no less than some frustration when driving close to cyclists, with the determine rising to 81% amongst 17 to 24-year-olds.
Even amongst those that establish as each drivers and cyclists, 64% mentioned they felt pissed off when encountering different cyclists whereas driving. Nervousness can also be widespread, with three-quarters of drivers reporting they generally or typically really feel nervous round folks on bikes – notably girls (81%) and youthful drivers (88%).
Regardless of most drivers (96%) claiming they provide cyclists the really useful 1.5m passing distance, almost half (47%) admitted to experiencing a close to miss involving a bicycle owner. This disconnect between reported behaviour and precise incidents suggests some drivers might overestimate their consciousness or misjudge protected distances.
The survey additionally requested drivers whether or not they consider cyclists have equal rights to make use of the highway. Whereas 60% agreed, 33% disagreed – highlighting the persistence of a perception that cyclists are much less entitled to highway area than drivers, regardless of Freeway Code steering stating in any other case.
Scrap Automotive Comparability used the survey knowledge to compile an inventory of the UK’s least bike-friendly cities, with Sheffield topping the desk primarily based on frustration ranges, overtaking behaviour, and data gaps. Newcastle and Leeds adopted carefully. Belfast, regardless of considerations about its biking infrastructure, was ranked most cycle-friendly.
Drivers of sure automotive manufacturers have been additionally discovered to be extra damaging in the direction of cyclists, with Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, and Seat homeowners scoring highest for cycling-related frustration and misunderstanding.
