Active Travel England updates lane width guidance to prevent close passing

Source: Zag Daily

Active Travel England (ATE) has published new guidance, Critical safety issues for walking, wheeling and cycling, which addresses a range of serious issues, including that of varying road lane widths which can lead to “close passing” incidents, where motorists do not – or cannot – allow sufficient space when overtaking cyclists.

ATE is a government agency which promotes cycling as an everyday transport choice. It has concluded that the standard British road lane width of 3.65m is not wide enough for motorists to be compliant with the Highway Code, which requires them to allow 1.5m of space when passing cyclists.

The new guidance states that lanes should either be narrower than 3.25m, where “it is usually clear to motorists that there is not enough space to safely overtake cyclists, and it is clearer to cyclists that they need to ride more centrally”, or be wider than 3.9m, where “the risk of a collision from alongside is reduced at this width and beyond.”

The ATE guidance relates only to new projects is not legally binding, but is regarded as good practice, and will be applied to a large road-building programme across England. Motorists who flout the Highway Code rules on close passing of cyclists can typically face a fine of £100 (€113), and three penalty points on their licence, or higher if a case goes to court.

Simon Munk, Head of Campaigns and Community Development at cycling safety charity, the London Cycling Campaign, highlighted the benefits for urban spaces in general. “At 12ft 8in [3.86m] or over, it’s easier for drivers overtaking cyclists to avoid a ‘close pass’. At the other end, narrowing lanes to 10ft 8in [3.25] lanes can mean more room for busy pavements and bus stops, while making it clearer drivers shouldn’t overtake cyclists. It might seem like tinkering with history but not only is shifting lane widths good for helping cyclists stay alive, it’s also good for making places nicer too.”

Zag Daily points out that the guidance has been issued against the backdrop of an increased presence on UK roads of wide SUVs, which have prompted concerns about “carspreading”.