23. Only ride in bus lanes if there is a cycle shown on the
sign.1. Riding a cycle which is too big, too small or badly adjusted for you can affect your balance.
2. Make sure your cycle is safe to ride. The brakes must work properly and tyres should be in good condition and pumped up. The chain should be correctly adjusted and oiled and it is a good idea to fit a bell. (Cycles must have a bell in Northern Ireland). It is highly suggested to wear a cycle helmet - it will help to protect you if you have an accident.
3. When you have to carry anything on your cycle, use a bike bag or panniers. Carrying things on your handlebars makes steering difficult - they could also catch in the front wheel.
4. Make sure that your clothing or anything else does not get caught in the chain or wheels. Make sure that other road users can see you. Wear fluorescent materials in daylight and at dusk, and something reflective at night. A cycle spacer may be helpful as a warning to other drivers. At night you must have front and back lights which work well, and a clean back reflector. Spoke and pedal reflectors are also useful.
5. You should not ride on the pavement unless there are special signs allowing you to do so.
6. Wheel your cycle to the edge of the kerb and, if safe, place it in the road. Get on your cycle and look all round for traffic even if you have a mirror fitted. When it is safe to move off, signal with your right arm if necessary. Then, with both hands on the handlebars, cycle away.
7. Ride far enough from the edge of the road to avoid drains and gutters.
8. Always keep both hands on the handlebars unless you are signaling or changing gears.
9. If riding with others on busy or narrow roads, you should ride one behind the other. Never ride more than two side by side on any road.
10. Even if you are wheeling your cycle in the road, you must still obey traffic light signals and road signs. You must also obey the signals made by police officers, traffic wardens or school crossing patrols.
11. Never hold onto any vehicle or another cyclist.
12. You must not carry a passenger on your cycle unless it is specially designed to do so.
13. You should never lead an animal whilst cycling.
14. Before starting off, turning right or left, overtaking, or stopping, you must look behind and make sure it is safe and then give a clear arm signal to show what you intend to do.
15. When turning from one road into another, you should give way to any pedestrians who are crossing that road.
16. If you want to turn right from a busy road, moving to the middle of the road may be difficult and dangerous. It is often safer to stop on the left hand side before or after the junction and wait for a safe gap in the traffic before walking with your cycle across the road. This is especially important in the dark.
17. Watch out for traffic that may suddenly stop, turn left in front of you, emerge from a side turning or pull away from the kerb. Long vehicles need room to turn so do not ride up beside them when they do so.
18. Only overtake when you are certain it is safe to do so. If you are overtaking parked vehicles, watch out for them starting off while you are doing so. Look for car doors opening and for pedestrians darting out into the road in front of you.
19. You should not wear a personal stereo whilst cycling. You can't hear the other traffic if you do so, and riding on the road needs your full attention.
20. Always park your cycle sensibly so that it is not in the way of other people. Lock it to prevent it being stolen and have the frame marked with your postcode.
21. You must stop for pedestrians on Zebra crossings.
22. Be ready to stop for the red light at traffic light crossings. When the amber light flashes, you may continue if there is nobody on the crossing.
23. Only ride in bus lanes if there is a cycle shown on the
sign.
24. Be careful when cycling near horses and other animals. Give them plenty of room as you go by. Animals are easily frightened by sudden noises so do not use your bell.
25. In some areas special cycle routes, paths and lanes are provided. You will see the following signs to show the different paths. Where available, always use routes away from busy roads. Some traffic light controlled crossings allow cyclists and pedestrians to cross together.
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| Recommended route for pedal cycles |
Cycles only | Shared with pedestrians |
Separate cycle and pedestrians |
Cycle lane |
26. Roundabouts can be difficult for cyclists to use safely. If you are not sure it is safe, get off your cycle and walk. When riding into a roundabout you must give way to traffic coming from your right. Look out for vehicles which may turn in front of you.
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27. When cycling in the dark or at dusk, you must have a white front lamp, a red rear lamp and a red reflector. Wear something reflective and fit spoke reflectors. If you have dynamo lighting, remember the lights go out when you stop. When other vehicles are using their lights, use yours too.
28. If you want to turn right, it is more difficult and dangerous to move to the middle of the road when it is dark. Stop on the left hand side and wait for a gap in the traffic before you turn.
29. Always obey traffic light signals, road signs and the signals given by police officers, traffic wardens and school crossing patrols.
30. You must learn and understand the meaning of all road signs and markings. Circular signs usually give orders, triangular signs give warnings and rectangular signs give information.
These signs are mostly circular. Those with blue circles usually tell you what you must do
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| Keep left | Turn left ahead |
Ahead only | Mini roundabout (give way to traffic from the right) |
Signs with red circles usually tell you not to do something
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| No entry for vehicles | No right turn | No cycling | No motor vehicles |
| These two signs must also be obeyed | |||
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| No pedestrians | No vehicles | Give way to traffic on major road | Stop and give way |
These are usually triangular.
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| Road works | Slippery road | Danger - words describe the danger |
Children going to or from school | |
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| Steep hill downwards | Crossroads | Roundabout | Uneven road | Cycle route ahead |
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| Road narrows on both sides |
Traffic signals ahead |
Pedestrian crossing ahead |
Two way traffic ahead |
These are usually rectangular
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| One way street | Recommended route for pedal cycles to place shown | |
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| Tourist attraction | Route for pedestrians to place shown |
On approaches to
junctions |
Across the road
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| Give way to traffic on
major road |
Stop at STOP line |
Box junction
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| Do not enter the box unless your exit road or lane is clear, except to turn right. |
Along the road
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| Lane line | Center line | Hazard warning line |
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| Do not cross double white lines | Do not cross solid line if it is on your side | Do not enter marked area unless it is safe to do so |
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| Zebra and pelican crossings' zig-zag lines Vehicles must not overtake, wait or park in the zig-zag areas. Pedestrians should not cross on the zig-zag areas. They should always use the crossing. | ||
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| Keep school entrance clear | ||
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| RED means Stop. Wait behind the stop line. | RED AND AMBER also mean Stop. | GREEN means you may go if it is safe to do so. Take special care if you mean to turn left or right and give way to pedestrians who are crossing. | AMBER also means Stop. |
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| Flashing AMBER means you must give way to pedestrians on the crossing, but you may continue if there is nobody on the crossing. |
If there is a GREEN ARROW you can go in the direction shown if it is safe to do so. You can do this whatever other lights are showing. |
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| Flashing red lights mean
you MUST STOP. They appear at level crossings, lifting bridges, airfields, fire stations etc. |
Flashing amber lights tell you there could be schoolchildren crossing ahead. |
Also given by traffic wardens.
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| Stop Vehicle approaching from the front | Stop Vehicle approaching from both front and behind | Stop Vehicle approaching from behind |
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| Come on Waving on a vehicle from the front | Come on Waving on a vehicle from the side | Come on Waving on a vehicle from behind |
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| I intend to move out to the right or turn right | I intend to move in to the left or turn left or stop on the left | I am slowing down or stopping | |||
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| I intend to move out to the right or turn right | I intend to move in to the left or turn left | I intend to slow down or stop. (Particularly useful at Zebra crossings) | ||||
Extra Notes
A bicycle designed not to have reflectors (e.g. a child's Bike) may be ridden on the pavement.
Fixed Penalty Notes or Fines on the spot cannot be given to 16 or under.
Listening to Walkmans' Discmans' MD's or to the radio or using headphones when cycling is perfectly legal, but it is not advised.
If you damage a car when it was overtaking you on the same side of the road you were riding along, it is the car drivers fault as he should pass on the other side of the road.
Riding in pairs is perfectly legal.
It is possible to ride in four's on a dual carriageway, a a pair in the left lane, and a pair in the right lane.
It is not legal to ride in the hard shoulder of a road.
If you swerve to avoid a pothole and is hit by another vehicle, it is the second vehicle's fault.
You do not need a front light when riding in the dark only a rear one.
Strange Laws
Any cart or vehicle must not travel on the pavement i.e. it is illegal to push or pull a Baby Pram on the Pavement.
By Law a bicycle designed not to have reflectors (e.g. a child's Bike) may be ridden on the pavement, i.e. a racing/Time Trial bike is designed not to have reflectors.
You cannot ride you're bike through a RED light but you can push is along.
Riding or Pushing a bicycle when over the legal alcohol level is illegal, but carrying the bike above you're shoulders is not.
A Bicycle is not a vehicle when it is above the owners shoulders.
It's illegal to ride you're bicycle on the Motorway, but riding it on a dual carriageway where motor vehicles are traveling at the same speed is perfectly legal.
In a car or on a bike, waving you're hand up and down means that you intend of slowing down or stopping, while riding a horse it is a means of telling the person behind you to slow down.
If you see a picture of a bike in a red circle it means NO CYCLING, but if there is a Red line through it, it means NO NO CYCLING, in other words Cycling is allowed, as one NO cancels the other NO out.
You can walk with you're bike in a NO PEDESTRIAN Area, but you cannot walk without it.
Parking bicycles on double Yellow Lines is not illegal.
Remember a Pavement means Concrete Paving Slabs. It does not mean a tar macadam one, this is a side walk!
Riding in pairs is perfectly legal except on road which are stated Single File and then nobody can pass you anyway.
If you attach an LED to the bike it cannot be used in the flashing mode UNLESS at least one LED is on all the time, e.g. A B C D E F states different LED if they run like this A B is on, the rest is off, then B C is on, rest is off, C D is on, rest is off, D E is on, rest is off, E F is on, rest is off, F A is on, rest is off, etc. etc. it is legal as at least one LED is always on.
Using flashing LED in the day is perfectly legal.
Attaching flashing LED to the body is perfectly legal.
At one time the law stated that a bulb must be attached to a cycle in the dark, it did not say anything that it had to be turned on!
You can only be classified as speeding on a bicycle if you had a speedometer fitted.
The maximum speed limit in the UK is 60MPH.
If you carry a bicycle the back of the car then you are classified as carrying another vehicle, if you carry it on a roof rack then you are not carrying another vehicle!
A bicycle is a vehicle, but not a motor vehicle. - According to the Highway Code - Vehicle Excise Duty. All vehicles used or kept on the road MUST have a valid Vehicle Excise Duty disc (tax disc) displayed at all times. Any vehicle exempt from duty MUST display a nil license.
If you purchased you're bicycle after 1st October 1985 it must have fitted with a White front reflector, Red rear reflector and Amber pedal reflectors, if you built you're own bicycle it does not need reflectors.
According to the DVLA License form V10, a license is required to ride a bicycle or a Tricycle and engine capacity must be stated
Abusive Motorists
If a motorist shouts abuse at you while out cycling, the best thing to do is to ignore or just simply wave back.
If you live in Wales and the motorist is an old man, the chances are that his name will be Dai, then shout, "Dai Boy", I haven't seen you for a long time and also giving him a wave at the same time.
On average, Motorists will be worst in temper on Friday Afternoons.
You can say what the driver is like by the way he is dressed and the state of the car. The worst age group is between 30 and 60. If the value of the car in 25k+ then the driver will not be a good one. If he looks scruffy or the car is falling apart then its a bad driver (Usually)
The best excuse I have ever hared was "Sorry, I didn't see you!". - usually given by women of the age 45+
The best divers will be other cyclists, Horse riders or Motorbike Riders.
The worst are lorry drivers.
Motorists and cyclists both have a right to use Britain's roads - a right to safe and enjoyable travel. Both share a responsibility to understand each other's needs - and to respond positively.
This information aims to make motorists and cyclists more aware of one another, and to counter the intolerance that can develop between them - in short, to establish a climate of mutual courtesy and care
What cyclists would like motorists to know
Cyclists are more vulnerable than motorists - drivers have the major responsibility to take care. Rain, wind and poor visibility make conditions worse for cyclists.
Cyclists can feel threatened by inconsiderate driving. They have a right to space on the road and need extra room at junctions and roundabouts where cars change speed, position and direction.
Cyclists ride away from the kerb, not to annoy motorists but to:
avoid drains, potholes and debris
be seen as they come to junctions with side roads
discourage drivers from squeezing past when it's too narrow
Cyclists turning right are exposed - and need extra consideration from motorists, especially on multi-lane roads with fast-moving traffic.
Cyclists can be forced into faster traffic - by vehicles parked in cycle lanes, at junctions or on double yellow lines.
Cyclists are dazzled by full-beam headlights, like everyone else.
Cyclists can be fast movers - 20mph or more.
What motorists can do
Think bike. Expect to see cyclists, and take care.
Slow down and drive smoothly. Keep within speed limits. Expect sudden movements by cyclists, especially in windy weather and on bad road surfaces.
Signal: always at roundabouts and every time you pass a cyclist
Watch for riders on the inside when you turn left. Don't cut them up.
Give cyclists space - at least half a car's width - and never force past them. Be patient - a few seconds for a cyclist hardly affects your total journey time.
Right-turning cyclists need space and time.
Park considerately. Always look for cyclists before opening a car door.
Use dipped headlights.
Expect speed from bikes. Think of a bike as a vehicle - it is.
What motorists would like cyclists to know
Motorists get upset if cyclists ride without lights at night, ignore red traffic lights or hop on and off the pavement.
Motorists usually travel faster than cyclists and may have less time to take account of hazards.
Motorists may not always see cyclists.
Motorists are made uneasy when cyclists seem hesitant, move out suddenly or wobble around potholes.
Motorists can feel delayed by cyclist.
Motorists don't always understand that some road surfaces, junctions or traffic conditions cause problems for cyclists.
What cyclists can do
Follow the Highway Code.
Don't
jump red lights
ride on pavements (unless they are shared paths)
ride the wrong way in one-way streets (unless signs say that cyclists are permitted to do so)
ride across pedestrian crossings
Think ahead. Anticipate drivers' actions. Catch their eye.
Be visible. Ride well clear of the kerb, wear bright clothing, and always use lights after dark or in poor day-time visibility.
Show drivers what you plan to do. Always look and signal before you start, stop or turn. Ride a straight line past parked cars rather than dodge between them.
Move over, when it's safe and convenient. Two-abreast is often OK, but try not to hold up other traffic.
Ride positively and decisively. It helps motorists to understand what you plan to do.
Mutual respect and consideration make for safer and more enjoyable travel. Always acknowledging a courtesy does make a difference.
Remember.
The bicycle is the oldest vehicle.
Flashing lights do not blend in.
Most people cannot see single objects.
A motorist cannot be a nanosecond late to his destination.
Another word for a car is a polut-mobile.
Motorists are not environmentally friendly.
Car drivers are always correct!!!
The car driver is the best driver there is!!!
Car drivers and Computers are the same, they are Fast, Dull, Never Wrong, and Semi-Intelligent.
The most dangerous part of the car is the NUT that holds the wheel.
