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Range Rover almost hits young girl on bike as campaigners say highway code rule change is needed
The Range Rover can be seen squeezing in between the young cyclist and a large lorry
Cyclist campaigners have pointed out why the highway code rule change is so important after a video showed the moment a Range Rover nearly knocked over a young girl.
The video, which was quick to go viral on Twitter, shows the girl cycling without a helmet along the side of a road as a large black Range Rover closely overtakes her and an approaching Tesco lorry on the other side of the road.
A cyclist campaigner known only as Danny re-shared the video, writing: “To all those people moaning about the new Highway Code rules and they don’t think they should give cyclists (or horse riders) space when overtaking, this is why.”
Danny’s tweet was quick to garner thousands of responses, with one person writing: “If you are cycling, you have certainly experienced this. It scares me to bits – I can’t imagine how frightful it must have been for this child and their adult!”
Another cyclist shared their own experience on the road, writing: “Had a pr*ck in a Range Rover pull a similar move on me this morning as he sped past with his engine revving.
“It was scary for me, a 55-year-old #cyclist with years of experience. Can’t imagine what it would be like for a young child…”.
Read More: Highway Code rules on who gets priority at roundabouts is about to change
However, many Twitter users were quick to call out the girls’ parents for allowing her to cycle on the road without wearing a helmet.
One person said: “I was more horrified to see such a young girl riding along a busy road like that without even a crash helmet! What are you thinking would happen should she get clipped by one of those vehicles?”
The highway code rule change, which came into force on January 29th, instructs motorists will to give way to cyclists and pedestrians at junctions and roundabouts.
Under the revised rule, drivers and cyclists must give way if pedestrians are waiting to cross the road into which or from they are turning. Motorists must also give way to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing.
And for their safety, cyclists must also ride in the centre of the lane when approaching junctions and on quiet roads.
The new rule was introduced in an attempt to ensure that road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.