The new version will also introduce a hierarchy of road users to ensure those who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others.

It will also provide guidance on safe passing distances and speeds, and ensure that cyclists have greater priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead.

The measures were announced by the Government following a public consultation exercise. They come alongside a pledge to increase funding for active travel to £338M, up 30% from the £257M put forward for walking and cycling in last year’s Spending Review.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Millions of us have found over the past year how cycling and walking are great ways to stay fit, ease congestion on the roads and do your bit for the environment. We’re determined to keep that trend going by making active travel easier and safer for everyone.”

The Government is also looking to increase awareness of electric cycles and tackle barriers to their use. An e-cycle support programme will be launched later this year. It also announced that a new Active Travel England commissioning body – which will hold the national cycling and walking budget – will begin work later this year.

Walking charity Living Streets welcomed the update to the Highway Code. Its interim chief executive Stephen Edwards said: “The Highway Code currently treats children walking to school and lorry drivers as if they are equally responsible for their own or other people’s safety. These changes will redress that balance.”

Law firm Stephensons’ solicitor Paul Laughlin commented: “Better protection for more vulnerable road users has been long overdue and this is certainly a positive step forward.

“In motoring law terms, there could be more of a marked difference between how the courts deal with different road users who commit the same offence. We may now see a clearer distinction between how a motorcyclist’s driving is assessed compared to that of a HGV driver given their different positions in the new ‘hierarchy of road users’.

“With this in mind, the Government has to be careful to ensure that there are sufficiently robust and thorough advertising campaigns to make sure these new rules are made clear to the public. Education will be key in order for this to work successfully.”

(Photograph: Transport for London)