Online Petition to debate 1.5m rule for overtaking cyclists

Not something everyone will agree with and don't want to start the actual debate HERE. It's something I DO believe in (although I didn't start the petition).
But would appreciate it those that DO support the idea to surf over to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/128190 and sign the online petition to get enough signatures to have Parliament debate the issue.
It's been live for a few days and already approaching the absolute minimum requirement but would love this to get to 100,000 sigs and encourage a debate.
It takes all of a minute to do. And once done, if you could share via your social media outlets, it will help.
Thanks in advance.
But would appreciate it those that DO support the idea to surf over to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/128190 and sign the online petition to get enough signatures to have Parliament debate the issue.
It's been live for a few days and already approaching the absolute minimum requirement but would love this to get to 100,000 sigs and encourage a debate.
It takes all of a minute to do. And once done, if you could share via your social media outlets, it will help.
Thanks in advance.
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Posts
I had an incident on Saturday where I couldn't unclip (cleat came loose on shoe). The screech behind me wouldn't have happened if such a distance was in use. But, just like the use of mobile phones while driving, who will enforce this rule?
But the important thing at this stage is to at least get the signatures - and get it debated in Parliament.
Don't let all the 'problems' with it stop it from at least getting to the next step!
(P.S. It is law in other countries- they manage to make it work there so it's not exactly breaking new ground).
Rule 163 give vulnerable road users at least as much space as you would a car:
It clearly states and shows that cars should overtake by crossing the white line.They don't and this cannot be Policed.By reducing this to 1.5m/1m you'd be basically bringing them closer...legally :?: :?:
Driving standards are no doubt getting worse because peoples behaviour in general, is getting worse, with congested roads, little road policing, many motorists hatred toward cyclists and a justice system that treats road deaths as inevitable, even when drink/drugs are involved, this petition is a waste of time....sorry.
but i ll sign anyhow!
Waste of time but I agree with it on principle so would be hypocritical not to sign.
BTW a few years ago we spotted the Welsh constabulary around the north Wales area we were visiting had bought advertising for the back of parking tickets at the local carparks. The sticker back had the 1.5m cyclist overtake symbol on it. I think there were other notices or ads about it too.
We always have been ground breakers in Wales, see the laws of Hywel Dda (Hywel The Good)
The issues with this are:
A. It's only a guideline
B. It's a wonderful photo, but does not clearly define an actual MINIMUM passing distance. It just shows how you SHOULD pass.
C. Who has actually read the Highway Code recently and seen the photo?
D. It's not a legal requirement and carries no actual weight. There is no penalty or legal protection for cyclists should a car pass you closer, brush against you, etc.
E. Do all cars pass each other this widely?
F. I get passed by cars on a regular basis who don't even come close to crossing the white line.
Anyway - it's not for everyone but if you think the current *GUIDELINE* is enough protection, then don't sign. But don't complain the next time a car speeds past you 2 inches off your side
Not passing when it's clear to do so is as bad as a close pass because it simply winds up the drivers in the queue of cars following, who then blame the cyclist, and then pass too close.
Can't do any harm to try though.
So a big Red X in the left hand image isn't an indication of how close too close is and a big Green tick isn't an indication of minimum distance.Looks pretty simple to me but as you say it's just a guideline and no one reads the HC anyway.
So do you actually think passing a law will make drivers pass at 1.5m?Really?
The Law states you must not exceed 70mph on Motorways and everyone obeys that one
It won't make any difference is it's 1.5m or 15m it will be impossible to Police.This is probably why the UK didn't adopt this when the EU/Australia did etc.
I've signed the Petition just to see if it gets a debate in Parliament but as it's already been discussed and knocked back i doubt it.
It's alright if you're in the sticks.
If you're in the sticks then the roads are most often not wide enough for the 1.5mtrs. I've often been passed by cars in the New Forest where if I reached out I could touch the vehicle.
tbh its not the distance thats the real issue, its the speed, vast majority of cars do not slow at all, combined with overtaking into bends, crest of hills and passing too close (many cars give soooo much room that they are completely on the wrong side of the road, on a pray nothing is coming the other way)
i sometimes wonder whether road cycling is worth the risk anymore.
Whatever happened to Public Information Films eh? Think once, Think twice, Think Bike? We could do with one of those for the 'other' type of bike!
Signed. Tweeted.
Combination of both isn't it - I don't mind a car overtaking me at +30mph if it's 3 metres away - if it's one metre away that's a bit different. I'd back the 1.5metre rule - I can't think of many instances where a car should be squeezing past a bike - yes for experienced riders like us it may not always be too much of an issue but when you have kids your perspective changes. I'm sure we've all had overtakes which would have caused an inexperienced rider to crash.
1.5m enough? :?
I dont agree that not signing the petition, is in anyway saying you support the current setup at all,
the reason I wont sign it is because how would it magically stop cars speeding past you 2 inches off your side, its not measurable, its not enforceable, it will be treated by motorists in the same way no parking rules, 20mph speed rules, mobile phone rules,tailgaiting rules and any of the other rules they routinely ignore.
so whats the point, ah but the supporters, say if a car hits you then theyll have clearly broken the rule then, great so well just ignore the dont drive into people rules we already have
I wont sign it and Ill carry on complaining about close passes.
until we have proper sanction for vulnerable road users killed by car drivers and a return to more robust road policing, then nothing will change.
Personally, i d like to see a euro version of any car driver involved in a collision with a cyclist etc the law would say that the driver is at fault, unless they can prove different, aint going happen but it would focus drivers minds on over taking cyclists or how fast they drive past a school etc.
MB phone use whilst driving is illegal but its un enforceable because there are no police out an about and drivers know it, so ignore it, would be the same with a 1.5m rule, no matter how well meaning.
I can think of dozens of roads off the top of my head where it just wouldn't work.
There are dozens of roads where drivers are passing when it is dangerous to do so, or cyclists are using roads that are dangerous to do so.
And the status quo is a good thing?
I am not sure. You have no chance.
Propose a better one.
I am not sure. You have no chance.
Enforce the existing rules around dangerous driving more rigorously with respect to inappropriate passing distances and speeds?
There is no set appropriate passing distance though, making enforcing it tricky. (Nor anyone to enforce it).
Kind of the point of the OP.
I am not sure. You have no chance.
Simple camera to record digitally all vehicles passing a certain pinch point on a problem road. Then algorithms determine presence of a bike and gap between bike and vehicle. This gets recorded on the image like a speed camera image for later prosecution.
I might be over simplifying it but surely that's possible.