The number of cyclists complaining to police about being overtaken too closely by drivers has reached record levels after a major change to the Highway Code three years ago.
The new rule implemented from 29 January 2022 requires motorists to leave ‘at least 1.5 metres’ of space when passing cyclists at speeds up to 30mph.
This was part of a wider – and highly contentious – overhaul of the Highway Code to better protect vulnerable road users, which included increased rights for cyclists to ride in groups, have priority at roundabouts and position themselves in the middle of lanes on safety grounds.
Since the rules were imposed, submissions of video footage of cars, vans, coaches and other heavy vehicles overtaking within dangerous proximity to riders have more than doubled, an investigation has revealed.
Some 15,779 clips of ‘incidents’ were submitted to forces in England and Wales last year, information obtained by IAM RoadSmart found. That is more than double the total of 7,249 in 2021.
When the road safety charity polled drivers about the correct passing distance, almost three in five didn’t know the legal minimum requirement under the 2022 rules.
A record number of cyclists have been reporting drivers to police for overtaking too close since new Highway Code rules were introduced in January 2022
The Highway Code states that drivers should leave at least 1.5 metres – or 4.9 feet – of space when overtaking a cyclist at speeds of up to 30mph, with a larger gap at higher speeds.
This is to allow for cyclists to safely move away from the kerbside to avoid potholes or debris on the road.
But despite the rule change, cyclists have submitted an increasing number of clips of dangerously close overtakes captured on helmet cams and worn recording devices. These basic cameras typically cost around £50.
IAM RoadSmart contacted all 43 police forces in England and Wales asking how many pieces of footage showing a close pass of a cyclist by a motorist were submitted as part of Operation Snap, an initiative introduced in 2017.
Twenty forces provided data following the Freedom of Information request.
The responses show the percentage of reports leading to a notice of intended prosecution being served rose from 38 per cent in 2021 to 54 per cent last year.
The new rule implemented from 29 January 2022 requires motorists to leave ‘at least 1.5 metres’ (or 4.9 feet) of space when passing cyclists at speeds up to 30mph.
Cyclist are able to submit footage of dangerous overtakes captured on their helmet cams. These typically cost from around £50 and are used by riders to protect themselves from motorists who don’t give them right of way
50 major changes were introduced to the Highway Code in 2022 – many of them giving priority to cyclists over motor vehicles
Avon and Somerset Police received the most complaints about close passes, with 3,501 people submitting footage of incidents last year.
However, it was Bedfordshire Police that had the highest prosecution rate in 2024.
A staggering 90 per cent of all reports resulted in a Notice of Intended Prosecution, it said. It was followed closely by Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
Drivers found guilty of passing too closely can be charged with careless or dangerous driving, which could result in an unlimited fine, disqualification, or imprisonment.
Despite the penalty risk, a separate survey of 655 licence holders indicated that most people are not up to scratch on the Highway Code.
Some 58 per cent admitted they were not aware that the legal minimum gap when passing cyclists is now 1.5 metres.
A third reported that they often see other drivers or motorcyclists performing what they would consider a ‘close pass’ and almost a fifth (17 per cent) frequently witness other vehicle users overtaking cyclists on blind bends, risking their own lives as well as others.
Some 15,779 clips of ‘incidents’ captured on cyclists’ helmet cameras were submitted to forces in England and Wales last year. That’s double the volume seen in 2021 – the year before the Highway Code rule change
IAM RoadSmart polled over 600 drivers about the distance they must give cyclists when overtaking. Almost three in five didn’t know the legal minimum requirement
Harriet Hernando, the charity’s active travel spokesperson, said: ‘It is extremely concerning that more than half of motorists don’t know how much space to give a cyclist when overtaking.
‘Passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole.
‘It is small wonder then that record numbers of cyclists are installing cameras and submitting footage of dangerous or careless drivers to the police.
‘While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn’t reach that stage and motorists weren’t doing it in the first place.’
Drivers found guilty of passing too closely can be charged with careless or dangerous driving, which could result in an unlimited fine, disqualification, or imprisonment
Provisional Department for Transport figures show 85 cyclists were killed on Britain’s roads in 2024.
Between 2019 and 2023, most cyclist fatalities occurred in collisions involving a car.
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, reacted to the news of increased reporting of drivers passing cyclists too closely, saying the Highway Code changes introduced in 2022 have ‘not seen the big safety impact we’d hoped for’.
He added: ‘The majority of people who drive simply aren’t aware how much distance to give to people who cycle when overtaking.
‘This is why it’s crucial to educate all road users of their responsibility to protect those most vulnerable.’
He called on the Government to ‘address this oversight by better promoting the new Highway Code.
The January 2022 changes to the road user’s handbook also made clear that motorists need to give additional space to horse riders when overtaking.
The minimum gap is 2 metres – or 6.5 feet – when passing people riding horses or using horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10mph.
The same safe distance applies when passing pedestrians – particularly ramblers – walking in the road when there is no footpath available.
Highway Code rule changes introduced in 2022 to give cyclists more priority
Changes to the Highway Code to reflect the safe overtaking distance when motorists pass cyclists was not the only major overhaul to the rules to benefit cyclists.
Of the 50 significant changes introduced on 27 January 2022, there are a further six rules updates to protect those pedalling.
Cyclists are encouraged to ride in the middle of the road in some circumstances and, even if there is a cycle lane, they will not be obliged to use it, the Highway Code states
1. Cyclists can ride in the middle of a lane (even if there is a cycle lane)
The Highway Code says cyclists can ride in the centre of their lane on quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings.
When travelling along more congested roads with faster moving vehicles, cyclists should keep at least half a metre (just over 1.5 feet) away from the kerb edge – and can ride even closer to the middle of a lane where it is ‘safer to do so’.
These rules apply even when there is a cycle lane available, with the Highway Code stating that cyclists are not obliged to use the dedicated lanes it if they prefer not to.
Cyclists are within their right to cycle two-abreast in a single lane. The 2022 Highway Code encourages this for large groups of riders, like the one pictured
2. Groups of cyclists encouraged to ride two-abreast
Cyclists riding in groups need to be ‘considerate of the needs of other road users’ but can legally ride two abreast in a lane.
In fact, the Highway Code’s wording encourages this in particular scenarios, such as in larger groups, or when accompanying children or less experienced riders.
That said, when a vehicle is approaching from behind, groups of cyclists are told they have a duty to allow a driver to overtake, for example by reverting to single file or stopping.
In slow-moving traffic, cyclists are permitted to pass vehicles on the left or the right, whichever they choose
3. Cyclists can overtake on the left or right in traffic
The Highway Code update in 2022 included provisions for cyclist to pass vehicles in slow-moving or stationary traffic both on the right and the left.
However, it does urge particular caution to cyclists when passing (particularly on the left where drivers might not be expecting them to be) on the approach to junctions and especially when passing lorries and large vehicles that may not have seen them and are a major injury risk.
4. Cyclists have priority when going straight on at junctions
The code recommends that people cycling should act like any other vehicle when dealing with junctions where there are no specific cyclist facilities in place.
This includes positioning themselves in the centre of their chosen lane where they feel able to do this safely. This should make them more visible to drivers and prevent traffic overtaking them when they’re trying to turn.
The code update in 2022 also clarified that when people cycling are going straight ahead at a junction, they have priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of a side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise.
People cycling are asked to watch out for motorists intending to turn across their path, as people driving ahead may not be able to see them.
5. Motorbike riders need to give priority to cyclists at roundabouts
The Highway Code clarifies that anyone driving or riding a motorcycle should give priority to people cycling on roundabouts, meaning they should not attempt to overtake them in the lane they’re travelling in and should allow cyclists to move across their path as they travel around the roundabout.
And while cyclists and horse riders were already allowed to use the left-hand lane of a roundabout no matter which exit they were taking, additional guidance introduced in 2002 states that drivers have to take ‘extra care’ when entering a roundabout to make sure they do not cut across these road users.
Drivers and told to use the ‘Dutch Reach’ technique when exiting vehicles on the roadside in a bid to prevent collisions with cyclists
6. Drivers and passengers to use ‘Dutch Reach’ technique when exciting cars
The code recommends motorists and their passengers exit vehicles using a technique called the ‘Dutch Reach’.
Where drivers or passengers in a vehicle are able to do so, they should open the door using their hand on the opposite side to the door they are opening. For example, using their left hand to open a door on their right-hand side.
This will physically force them to turn their head to look over their shoulder behind them, which means they are more likely to spot people about to cycle past their door.
The code also says that cyclists should leave a door’s width – or one metre – when passing a parked car to avoid being hit if a passenger or driver swings it open.
