The Highway Code is about to be updated, and changes will become law in Ealing and across the UK on January 29, pending parliamentary approval.

Ealing's roads can be extremely busy with cyclists all year around, but particularly in the summer.

Among the Highway Code updates is the introduction of a risk-based hierarchy of road users, which seeks to protect those most likely to be injured in a collision, being pedestrians, followed by cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.

The hierarchy does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly.

So, someone driving will have more responsibility to watch out for people cycling, walking or riding a horse, and cyclists will have more responsibility to be aware of pedestrians.

Further changes will mean that at a junction, all drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.

You must now give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing, whilst you should give way to those waiting to cross.

It is also suggested that cyclists ride in the centre of the lane rather than to the left, to make themselves as clearly visible as possible.

This includes on quiet roads or streets, in slower-moving traffic and at the approach to junctions or road narrowing's where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake.

The guidance also suggests that cyclists could ride two abreast to further protect themselves and less experienced riders.

Cyclists are also now given priority at roundabouts, so be aware of this when using the Ealing Green / Mattock Lane roundabout.

A further rule places a requirement on drivers to give priority to cyclists when they are turning into or out of a junction, or changing direction or lane, just as they would to other motor vehicles.

In the new rules, cars must leave at least 1.5 metres room when passing bicycles and bikes must remain at least 50cm from the pavement.

Dutch Reach

Drivers are being asked to use 'The Dutch Reach' technique to reduce the risk of opening a car door into the path of a cyclist.

This involves using the hand on the opposite side to the door, as that will lead to people looking over their shoulder into the road behind them.

Ealing Cycling Campaign group have welcomed these changes as a "step in the right direction".

An Ealing Cycling Campaign spokesperson said: "The hierarchy of road users rightly asserts that the greatest responsibility falls to those capable of the greatest harm.

"Unfortunately, the safety of people walking and cycling in the UK still depends on the good behaviour of motorists.

"We hope to see increased motorist education, enforcement, and protected infrastructure on our streets."

The government has been criticised for not publicising the changes sufficiently.

A survey by the AA found that a third of motorists said did not know the Highway Code was being updated.