Look out for each other

One consequence of the Coronavirus pandemic is that we are all now used to social distancing and we see signs every day asking us to keep 2 metres apart for the safety of everyone.

There is a parallel on our roads. In the UK the Highway Code says drivers should give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as they would for a car when overtaking. In Germany, this year, new rules say that motor vehicles will have to keep a minimum distance from cyclists, pedestrians when overtaking on the road -- out of town this is at least 2 metres and in town 1.5 metres.

Last week BBC News reported that, in North Wales, Gwynedd Council has installed new road signs on popular cycling routes reminding motorists to keep their distance, said to be a first in the UK.The council hopes the signs, which urge motorists to leave a 1.5m gap, can help keep cyclists safe as traffic levels return to pre-lockdown levels.

And finally, combining all of the above, if a pedestrian, cyclist and motorist are all approaching each other at the same time the pedestrian and cyclist should socially and safely distance each other and the cyclist should be passed at a safe distance by the motorist. Everyone needs to look out for each other, as lockdown eases, to continue to keep us all as safe as possible