People on bikes are not just obstacles to be avoided, they are flesh-and-blood, mums
People on bikes are not just obstacles to be avoided, they are flesh-and-blood, mums

and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters – and they need motorists to give them space
and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters – and they need motorists to give them space

when overtaking …
when overtaking …

Cyclists don't ride in a perfectly straight line they make small adjustments
Cyclists don't ride in a perfectly straight line they make small adjustments

in order to stay upright, from side to side all of the time – it's a space known as
in order to stay upright, from side to side all of the time – it's a space known as

the "dynamic envelope" – think of that dynamic envelope as an exclusion zone around the
the "dynamic envelope" – think of that dynamic envelope as an exclusion zone around the

cyclist, an area that you must not enter. The amount of space you need to give
cyclist, an area that you must not enter. The amount of space you need to give

cyclists is more than you might think. That dynamic envelope often needs
cyclists is more than you might think. That dynamic envelope often needs

to be stretched for instance when cyclists need to avoid imperfections in
to be stretched for instance when cyclists need to avoid imperfections in

the road surface like this – hazards to the cyclist that the motorist might not even
the road surface like this – hazards to the cyclist that the motorist might not even

be able to see.
be able to see.

Giving cyclists plenty of room isn't just common courtesy, it's in the
Giving cyclists plenty of room isn't just common courtesy, it's in the

Highway Code. Here's master driving instructor Blaine Walsh to explain more.
Highway Code. Here's master driving instructor Blaine Walsh to explain more.

Overtaking is one of the riskiest things you can do as a driver. It is critical to
Overtaking is one of the riskiest things you can do as a driver. It is critical to

get it right, for your safety and the safety of other road users. Sadly, you don't have
get it right, for your safety and the safety of other road users. Sadly, you don't have

to
to

search YouTube very hard to find some incredibly dangerous and close overtaking
search YouTube very hard to find some incredibly dangerous and close overtaking

of cyclists. Clearly, these drivers are not aware of what the Highway Code says
of cyclists. Clearly, these drivers are not aware of what the Highway Code says

about the space they are required to give cyclists. Here's
about the space they are required to give cyclists. Here's

what it says about overtaking vulnerable road users. Rule 163 says "give cyclists at least
what it says about overtaking vulnerable road users. Rule 163 says "give cyclists at least

as much space as you ...
as much space as you ...

would a car."
would a car."

Let's see what this looks like in the real world.
Let's see what this looks like in the real world.

I can see there's a group of cyclists.
I can see there's a group of cyclists.

I'm not going to overtake them here cos I can't see anything that's ahead.
I'm not going to overtake them here cos I can't see anything that's ahead.

Now I can see it is safe to pass here so I will indicate. Remember, I have got to give
Now I can see it is safe to pass here so I will indicate. Remember, I have got to give

cyclists
cyclists

much as I'd give a car that means getting right across to that other carriageway.
much as I'd give a car that means getting right across to that other carriageway.

There, job done. I'm safe, they're safe.
There, job done. I'm safe, they're safe.

And what works for overtaking groups, works for overtaking us.
And what works for overtaking groups, works for overtaking us.