Primary Position Explained | Road Position in Cycling Accident Claims UK

Road positioning is one of the most misunderstood aspects of cycling safety. Many drivers assume cyclists should always ride close to the kerb. In reality, correct road positioning is often central to both safety and liability after a collision.

Understanding primary position does not just help you ride more safely. It can also play a decisive role in a cycling accident claim.

What Is Primary Position?

Primary position means riding in the centre of your lane when necessary. This is recognised within UK cycling guidance and supported by the Highway Code.

Cyclists may take primary position when:

• Passing parked cars

• Approaching junctions

• Riding on narrow roads

• Preventing unsafe overtakes

It increases visibility and gives you space to react.

Why Riding Too Close to the Kerb Can Be Dangerous

Hugging the kerb reduces your escape options. It places you in the door zone when passing parked vehicles. It invites close passes from overtaking drivers. It limits your ability to avoid potholes or debris.

Many serious cycling collisions occur because a rider was squeezed into a narrow space without room to manoeuvre.

Primary position creates a safety buffer.

How Road Positioning Affects Liability After a Collision

In cycling accident claims, liability often depends on road position.

If you were riding visibly and assertively in primary position:

• Drivers have fewer excuses

• Your visibility is stronger

• Unsafe overtakes are easier to prove

• Door zone collisions are clearer

If an insurer argues that you were too far from the kerb, a specialist cycling solicitor can reference the Highway Code and modern cycling guidance to rebut that claim.

Road positioning frequently becomes a key legal issue in:

• Left hook collisions

• Close pass incidents

• Roundabout accidents

• Dooring cases

Common Misconceptions About Primary Position

Some drivers believe cyclists must always keep left. This is incorrect.

The Highway Code recognises a cyclist’s right to control their lane where appropriate. Taking primary position is often the safest and most responsible choice.

In legal terms, a cyclist using primary position correctly is rarely considered negligent.

How Specialist Solicitors Use Road Positioning Evidence

In a cycling accident claim, positioning evidence may come from:

• CCTV footage

• Dashcams

• Witness statements

• Bike computer route data

• Scene reconstruction

Specialist solicitors understand how to analyse this evidence properly. General personal injury firms may overlook how important lane control and positioning are in cycling cases.

This is why working with a specialist cycle accident solicitor in the UK can make a significant difference.

Protecting Yourself on the Road and in Law

Using primary position is not about confrontation. It is about visibility, space, and control.

If you have been involved in a cycling collision and road positioning is being questioned, specialist advice matters. Early legal guidance ensures insurers do not misrepresent your actions.

If you would like to understand your rights after a cycling accident, speak to Cycle Legal for clear, expert advice.