Motorists and cyclists could soon face new road rules, after the Department for Transport (DfT) announced a call for evidence on cycling, and funding for three bike safety projects.

One possible area the Government could consider is setting a minimum distance for drivers overtaking cyclists.

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The Highway Code currently says drivers should give cyclists “plenty” of space and “at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car”, but ministers have previously said they were “interested” in introducing a mandatory minimum passing distance.

Back in 2016, then Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said, following the introduction of minimum passing distances in South Africa, that ministers “remain interested in the change and are keeping it under review.”

And in February this year, police in Cambridgeshire launched ‘Operation Velo’, which recommended a passing distance of 1.5 metres. The operation saw cycle-mounted officers on patrol to catch drivers not giving cyclists enough room, with motorists facing fines of £100 and three penalty points for careless driving.

Another possible new rule would tackle the danger caused by drivers opening car doors into the path of cyclists. Motorists in the Netherlands are taught to open car doors using the 'Dutch Reach', which involves using the hand furthest away from the door to open it, essentially forcing drivers to look over their shoulder for passing cyclists.