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.
