The rule states that drivers must leave a minimum distance between their vehicle and a cyclist when overtaking.
If you’ve ever cycled down a road and been passed by a big SUV, you’ll know just how scary that can be. But did you know drivers can get into hot water for passing too close to a cyclist?
In the UK, drivers must keep a minimum distance between their vehicle and a cyclist when overtaking or driving alongside a bicycle.
If a driver is thought to be travelling too close to a cyclist, they could face a penalty – a £100 fine and three points on their licence.
Drivers must leave a recommended distance of 1.5 metres between their vehicle and the cyclist. If you’re caught driving within this distance, you could face a fine and penalty points.
The Highway Code states that drivers should provide cyclists with “plenty of room” when overtaking. According to Rule 163, drivers are also advised to “give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car.”
What are the risks of driving too close to a cyclist?
The law was introduced following data from the Department for Transport (DfT) which revealed that 448 pedestrians and 102 cyclists were killed on Britain’s roads in 2016, with 8,537 serious injuries recorded in the same year.
Cyclists are also at risk of what’s known as ‘car dooming’ – when a driver or passenger opens their door without looking, potentially causing a cyclist to be thrown off their bike.
The ‘Dutch Reach’, used widely in Holland, is a method that promotes safer door opening. It involves the driver or passenger using the hand furthest from the door to open it, encouraging them to turn their body and check for approaching cyclists. This simple habit helps create safer roads and increases driver awareness.
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