Petition · past parliament · Department for Transport

Change the Highway Code to recommend cyclists keep left in most circumstances

Closed 166 signatures

What the petition asks

The new Rule 72 in the Highway Code should be amended to advise cyclists to keep left at all times when cycling on the road, except when the road narrows sufficiently that it would be dangerous for vehicles to overtake and when approaching a junction or roundabout to turn right.
The new Rule 72 tells cyclists to "Ride in the centre of your lane, to make yourself as clearly visible as possible", when on quiet roads or streets, (unless being approached from behind by a faster vehicle), in slower-moving traffic, and at the approach to junctions or road narrowings where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake you.

We believe the new guidance on road positioning could put cyclists and other road users in danger, and will also lead to increased pollution and energy wastage from additional braking and accelerating.

Timeline

31 Jan 2022 Petition opened for signatures
31 Jul 2022 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 166
Status Closed
Department Department for Transport
Opened 31 Jan 2022
Closed 31 Jul 2022

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.