Cycling safely
Be alert
- be aware of everything going on around you
- watch out for pedestrians stepping off the kerb
- watch out for vehicles pulling into the kerb or turning left
- look up and around, rather than just in front of your bike
- practice looking behind without wobbling or swerving
- watch out for vehicles coming out of side streets - they may not see you
Watch your position on the road
- ride further out, away from the kerb. You'll be more obvious and easier to avoid
- allow at least a full door width's space between you and parked cars - and watch for open doors
- if the road is too narrow for a vehicle to pass you then it may be safest to ride in the middle of the road
Wait ahead at lights
- wait in front of other vehicles when you're at traffic lights
- make sure you are well in front of large vehicles such as HGVs and are not waiting on the left - make eye contact so they know you are there. If you can't get to the front safely, wait behind the vehicle
- never pass buses on the left when they're at stops or pulling in to them
Be seen and be safe
- a bright jacket or rucksack can make you easier to see
- by law, after dark you must have white lights at the front and red lights at back of your bicycle
- put reflective strips on your rucksack, jacket or wrist bands for better visibility at night
- make sure your helmet fits - tighten the straps so that you can't push the helmet up your forehead, side to side or up at the back
Make eye contact
Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they know you're there. It will make them give you the space on the road that you deserve.
Ride confidently
- know where you should be on the road
- in heavy traffic go at the same speed as other vehicles
- look out for drivers trying to move onto the road you're on
- be assertive, not aggressive