New bike rules so dangerous

■ Whoever devised these amendments to the Highway Code must have never turned a steering wheel.

Cyclists are now allowed to ride two abreast in the middle of the road preventing cars passing and drivers have to give way on roundabouts to let pedestrians cross.

What happened to pedestrian crossings? What about the cyclists who ignore red lights and speed up when cars try to pass them?

Cyclists should be made to have insurance. They don’t pay road tax and some don’t even bother with lights. Horses are even given priority over cars to plod along. How long will it be before accidents start to happen causing more people to die on our roads?

J J Smith, Tyne and Wear

■ I see new Highway Code rules are giving cyclists priority over cars on our roads.

This is despite the fact that a) not one pays any road tax, b) they aren’t required by law to have insurance and c) they are not easily identifiable in the event that they are seen breaking the law – which far too many of them do.

I have had three fairly new cars damaged by irresponsible cyclists while sitting in traffic. These new rules might be OK for cities with wide streets but out here in the country a cyclist on one of our narrow, winding roads often causes a tailback of traffic in low gear causing unnecessary pollution.

Alan Bond Watchet, Somerset

■ As a driver who has recently taken up cycling, I have a new appreciation of the dangers cyclists face on our busy roads from car drivers. As such when I am driving I always try to be considerate to cyclists, waiting behind them rather than impatiently trying to overtake.

With many more bikes now on the roads after lockdown, hopefully these new rules will make riding safer for cyclists.

One thing I don’t like are riders who jump red lights which antagonises car drivers. All users need to be considerate and respect the rules of the road.

P Walsh, North London

■ Surely, there must be an urgent U-turn on the new Highway Code which is making cyclists kings of the roads while possibly, at the same time, putting lives at risk.

There have already been reports of cyclists deliberately hogging the centre of the road causing queues and it’s only a matter of time before road rage ends in tragedy.

Proper cycle lanes have already led to traffic snarling up in cities and now this will lead to more anger. On yer bikes, meddlers.

Paul Marston, Walsall, West Mids

■ I see cyclists get priority over cars in the new Highway Code. Many drivers will be furious if they get stuck behind someone riding in the middle of the road.

What about cyclists who ride on pavements or jump red lights? It seems to me like a very bad idea to give them right of way.

M Ridley Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear

■ Parts of the updated Highway Code rules could end up making roads more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians.

Being visible must surely be the first priority and all riders should wear hi-viz apparel and, cyclists, please don’t follow the advice to ride in the middle of the carriageway, the consequences could be terrifying.

Tony Sykes, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

■ I wonder if cyclists who have ignored the Highway Code for ages will now insist that motorists obey the new rules that have just been announced? It seems the new rules will just cause more tension between car drivers and cyclists.

Ian Pyke, Crawley, West Sussex