Cyclists have welcomed plans to promote better courtesy among road users - but say more still needs to be done.

The new Highway Code, expected to be published later this year, will urge motorists to show more consideration to their two-wheeled counterparts.

The new clauses, including "take care near road junctions as you may have difficulty seeing other road users", were prompted by public pressure by cyclists.

As part of the changes drivers will also be instructed not to use lights in a way which would dazzle other road users including cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

David Jaques, of Oxford cycling campaign group Cyclox, welcomed the move.

But he insisted it would only be effective if it was properly promoted.

He said: "It would make more sense if there was publicity on TV reminding road users there is a new Highway Code and giving examples of the changes.

"Ninety-five per cent of road users will never read it, it will only be those who are taking their test."

Mr Jaques said one of the main problems faced by city cyclists was turning right at busy junctions.

He added that along with moves from the Government, a culture shift was needed among all road users.

"A lot of the problems between cars and bikes are cross-cultural. Car users don't know what it's like to be so vulnerable and lots of cyclists who don't drive, or rarely drive, don't know what it's like to have cyclists suddenly do something like pull out round a parked car."

That view was echoed by Ben Earl, communications director at the Little Wittenham-based Northmoor Trust.

A keen cyclist, Mr Earl is currently training for an epic Land's End to John O'Groats bike ride.

He said: "I fully support the changes. It is about cyclists and drivers having mutual respect for each other.

"Every driver ought to get on a bike to get the feeling of how close people sometimes drive to cyclists."

The amended draft Highway Code will go back before Parliament and is expected to be published later this year.