Safety tips on how to ride safely on the roads

aking to the road can be daunting – and not just for those new to cycling, even those with plenty of miles on the clock can benefit from working on their road craft.

Riding responsibly and safely on the roads is not a clear cut thing. It’s about being aware of what is happening around you and using that information to help you make decisions about the best and safest course of action.

See…

Thinking about what other road users are planning to do, or might be about to do, is an essential part of riding safely. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary. Make eye contact with drivers at junctions to make sure they know you’re there and watch out for drivers making left turns from junctions as you can’t see their indicators.

Similarly, beware vehicles in front of you turning without indicating – if there’s a left turn ahead and the vehicle in front is slowing, don’t cycle past it on the inside in case it is about to turn.

Look well ahead for obstructions, things like drains, the increasingly common pot-holes and parked vehicles so that you don’t have to suddenly swerve to avoid them.

Observing what is happening around you and anticipating what might happen next is only half the craft. Letting other road users know what you’re planning to do well in advance, using clear signals, is equally important. Look all around you, including a quick sideways glance over your shoulder to check your blind spot and then give a clear signal of what you intend to do.

…be seen

Make sure you can be seen clearly at all times – not just in the dark. Keep your reflectors and lights clean and in good working order.

• By law your bike MUST have white front and red rear lights lit
• It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors -reflectors on the spokes of your wheels also help make you more visible
• Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that if you’re riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.

Always wear light, bright coloured clothing and avoid clothes that could get caught in the chain or in a wheel. Wear something reflective, even if it’s just a sash over your normal clothes (particularly helpful if you’re a commuter cyclist). And don’t forget to use your bell if it will help alert someone to your presence – for example a pedestrian who might not have seen you.

Position

Don’t ride too close to the kerb; give yourself plenty of space to react – if a pedestrian steps out unexpectedly or a car door opens, you don’t want to have to suddenly swerve. This space around you creates a confident and assertive style of riding, which encourages drivers to take you more seriously and leave plenty of room when overtaking, rather than squeezing you into the kerb.

If you’re planning to turn left, watch out for vehicles turning in front of you – either out of or into the side road. Check for undertaking cyclists or motorcyclists as well and don’t ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left.

If you’re turning right, check the traffic to ensure it is safe, then signal and move to the centre of the road. Wait until there is a safe gap in the oncoming traffic and give a final look before completing the turn. It may be safer to wait on the left until there is a safe gap or get off your bike and push it across the road.

Give long vehicles plenty of room, especially if they’re approaching a junction, as they may have to move over to the right before turning left. Wait until they have completed their manoeuvre because their wheels get very close to the kerb when turning. Don’t be tempted to ride in the space between them and the kerb.

Group cycling

Cycling in a group is fun and sociable but do be considerate of others. Keep a handlebar’s width distance apart to give drivers opportunities to overtake. Bear in mind, it may be easier for them to overtake a group of several people two-abreast rather than a long line of individuals. It’s often safer for you to ride two abreast as it means drivers have to overtake properly, as if they were overtaking another vehicle, and move into another lane. Never ride more than two abreast and if it’s busy, don’t ride two abreast.

I’d advise everyone to read The Highway Code Rules for Cyclists. It contains important information and laws that every road cyclist should know and abide by – so everyone should refresh their memory every now and again. Each one of us who cycles to get about is one less car on the road – something all drivers should be grateful for!

Enjoy your riding but bear these pointers in mind, we want our All Terrain Cycles customers to stay in one piece!