Highway Code for cyclists published by AA

The motoring organisation had planned to publish the book - believed to be the first of its kind - before Road Safety minister Andrew Jones told the House of Commons that there were no government plans to publish a “cycling specific excerpt of the Highway Code”.

The book contains the sections of the Highway Code itself relevant to cyclists as well as advice on bike purchase and maintenance, plus the syllabus for the Bikeability cycle training programme.

Former Olympic cycling gold medal winner Chris Boardman said: “The bicycle is such a simple tool, but one which can improve your health, reduce congestion and make our towns and cities more liveable.”

Boardman, who is policy adviser to British Cycling, added: “British Cycling welcomes the AA Cyclist’s Highway Code as it should encourage new cyclists and help parents get their children into cycling.”

AA president Edmund King said: “The Highway Code is important whether you are on two wheels or four.

“As a keen cyclist and father of three cycling children, I would urge you to check out this book. Today more than one fifth of AA members regularly cycle and this guide will encourage a new generation to join them.”

A survey of AA members found that 21 per cent ride a bike, with one in ten saying they cycle between one and five miles each week.

The AA Cyclist’s Highway Code retails at £4.99 and is available from bookshops as well as online.