{"id":13208,"date":"2013-07-06T17:55:47","date_gmt":"2013-07-06T16:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=13208"},"modified":"2023-02-12T22:09:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-12T22:09:32","slug":"special-adi-module-for-cyclists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=13208","title":{"rendered":"“Special” ADI Module For Cyclists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nicely following on from the tragedy in that last story, several driving schools have reportedly \u201ccreated\u201d special modules for their instructors to use when teaching learners how to handle cyclists. You can read more in ADI News but you\u2019ll have to subscribe to the magazine itself<\/a> (which is very worthwhile).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it makes me smile. If instructors need \u201cspecial\u201d modules for dealing with cyclists, you have to wonder what the hell they\u2019ve been teaching up until now. And is anyone naive enough to believe that the tragedy reported wouldn\u2019t have happened if learner drivers were trained differently? No one ever seems to question deficiencies in the training that cyclists receive (i.e. virtually none in most cases).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No learner I have ever taken on has been under the impression that there is an open season on cyclists, or that it\u2019s OK to run over one. In fact, the biggest problem by far is that they initially try to give them so much room that they don\u2019t take account of oncoming vehicles or parked cars on the other side of the road. Beyond that, the task is to get them to try and anticipate and not try to barge through narrow gaps \u2013 which applies when dealing with any<\/strong> other road user, and not just cyclists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Highway Code says of the matter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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211<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is often difficult to see motorcyclists and cyclists, especially when they are coming up from behind, coming out of junctions, at roundabouts, overtaking you or filtering through traffic. Always look out for them before you emerge from a junction; they could be approaching faster than you think. When turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic, look out for cyclists or motorcyclists on the inside of the traffic you are crossing. Be especially careful when turning, and when changing direction or lane. Be sure to check mirrors and blind spots carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

212<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room<\/strong> (see Rules 162 to 167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

213<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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163<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n[Partial quotation]\n\n\n\n