Police officer and cyclist argue over highway code
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Last month, it was announced changes to the Highway Code would strengthen the priority of walkers and cyclists over motorists.Pedestrians currently have priority over cars only if they are already crossing a road into which a car is turning.
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The updated code would prioritise pedestrians who were waiting to cross, mandating vehicles stop to let them cross.
The proposed changes are intended to promote walking and cycling by making life on the road safer for them.
In a public consultation, some respondents voiced concerns some of the rule changes could actually increase risks in some circumstances.
They believed cyclists and pedestrians could potentially take greater risks when drivers are turning left or want to cross the road.
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Last month, it was announced changes to the Highway Code would strengthen the priority of cyclists.(Image: Getty)
This comes as Jeremy Vine caused controversy with his Twitter video.(Image: Getty)
One social media user called for new laws to be brought in to address those concerns.
The tweet read: “If Boris (wants) to rewrite Highway code to favour cyclists fine, BUT law must mirror their responsibility on the road and other road tax paying motorists safety.
They ended the tweet by saying: “HELMETS MUST BE MANDATORY!!”
This tweet spawned a lot of controversy with many downplaying the idea.
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Another Twitter user said: “Those who pose the greatest risk should be charged with the greatest responsibility.
“And the HWC is being changed to reflect that.
“Road tax was abolished in 1937.Roads are funded from general taxation and local rates.”
They ended the tweet by asking: “Do you wear a car helmet?”
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Others also took aim at the calls for road tax payments, saying: “A Cyclist on a £100 Halfords bike pays exactly the same in ‘road tax’ as someone driving a £30,000 Nissan Leaf or an £80,000 Tesla.”
There were some defences of the tweet, with one person asking: “Can we have mandatory speed limiters on cars too?
“They exist on electric bikes and scooters, so it’s hardly a question of the technology not being adequate for the task.”
This comes as many people have called on cyclists to pay insurance and a form of tax following a video posted by broadcaster Jeremy Vine.
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There are calls for cyclists to pay a form of ‘road tax’.(Image: Getty)
In the video, Jeremy Vine narrates a short clip where he is driving behind cyclists who are riding four abreast across the road.
He said: “Absolutely no problem with this at all, this is exactly how cyclists should ride.”
Many reacted by saying that riding more than two abreast is not advised in the Highway Code.
It states that cyclists “should never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends”.
However, this is advice and not a legal requirement.
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