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Cycling
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Getting started

During this module we will look at:

  • A scenario
  • The rules
  • Staying safe by:
    • Sharing the road
    • Taking training
    • Reflecting on your own behaviour

Use The Highway Code to help you answer the questions in this session.

Important: Clicking on the Highway Code icons throughout the module allows you to view about the relevant advice and Highway Code rules.

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Driver and passengers in a car.
Setting the scene

Your mate tells you that they are going to cycle to school the next morning. When you get home you think that might be a good idea, so you search out your old bike.

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A car driving at night.
An incident-What should you do?

Your bike looks a bit childish and small for you. You see your brother’s bike and it really looks cool. As yours is too small for you now perhaps you could borrow his, just for tomorrow. You find your helmet, it’s a bit dusty but you give it a wipe with your sleeve. Sorted. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

In the morning you have to get your sports kit ready, so you leave a bit later than planned.

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An incident-What should you do?

You try to fasten your helmet but it is too tight. Adjusting it would take more time and you are already late, so you leave it undone. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

It feels good as you take the short cut across the park. It seems just like a weekend. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

When you reach the main road you are surprised by the amount of traffic and the speed they seem to be travelling. You come this way every day and as a passenger it didn’t seem this fast.

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An incident-What should you do?

You are a bit unsure about when to move off. After what seems ages, you see what you think is a gap in the traffic and decide to go. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

The bike is really too big for you and the weight and size of the sports bag isn’t helping. You wobble a bit and try to steady yourself, but you cannot reach the ground while sitting on the saddle. You drop the bike, and your helmet falls in front of your eyes. Fortunately, you stagger onto the kerb, just as a car passes very closely. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

Phew, that was close. Seem to have broken the lights though. The tyre seems a bit flat, did that just happen? You are getting anxious, you are already late.

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An incident-What should you do?

You need to turn left at the junction ahead but there is queuing traffic. You decide to cut the corner by riding on the pavement. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

Your school is not far down this road and apart from a pothole near the kerb making your wobble a bit, you make it without further incident. But you were not sure whether you had to use the cycle lane or not. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

You have arrived late at school and realise you have forgotten your cycle lock. You are not looking forward to riding home. Highway Code

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Making the journey safer

How would you have made the journey safer?

Click each title below for more information.
Control

Make sure that you have right size bike for you. You need to be able to get on your bike and begin cycling without wobbling, then stop and get off safely.

Know your bike

To gain maximum control, you should know when and where to change gear and how it will respond to your steering and braking.

Look

Look all around before making a decision to stop or change direction. You should be able to do this without wobbling.

Signal

Make sure that other road users know what you want to do.

Check

Thinking about your route and giving yourself more time for the journey would have made it less stressful.

Law

Make sure you know the laws that apply to you as a rider. Training - Bikeabilty courses are for all levels, not just real beginners. Check out www.bikability.co.uk to find a course near you.

An incident - Setting the scene

Let’s have a look at your friend’s journey. It is not a new bike but it is the right size and feels part of them when riding. This is the first journey to school on their own since completing the Bikeabilty course. Highway Code

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A car driving at night.
An incident-What should you do?

A quick check to make sure everything is road-worthy before checking it is safe to move off and they are on their way. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

Your friend approaches the school from a different direction and has several turns and junctions to deal with. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

This junction has an advanced stop line especially for cyclists. Your friend turns to look at the drivers to make sure that they have been seen by them. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

This is a busy road, so your friend decides to use the cycle lane. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

They want to turn right at the junction ahead. As they approach, the cycle lane finishes. It is difficult to get over into the correct position for turning right. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

The junction is very busy at this time of the day. Large vehicles and buses could easily hide them from other traffic. They decide to get off and push their bike using the crossing as a pedestrian. Highway Code

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An incident-What should you do?

Almost there now.

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You must!

As a cyclist these are things you MUST do

Click each title below for more information.
Have front and rear lights lit at night

You must also have a rear reflector fitted (and amber pedal reflectors if manufactured after 1/10/85). Front and rear spoke reflectors will also help you be seen. Highway Code

Obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals

Make sure that you know traffic signs and road markings. Download guidance here ‘Know your traffic signs’ here (warning: file size is 9Mb). Highway Code

You must not!

As a cyclist these are things you MUST NOT do

Click each title below for more information.
Ride on the pavement

Some cycle lanes share the same space as pedestrians. Allow them plenty of room and be considerate. Highway Code

Ride in a dangerous manner

Being careless or inconsiderate to other road users is risky. Share the road and give others the chance to respond to you safely. Highway Code

Hold on to a moving vehicle

Think. You need to be in control of your bike and your mind. You do not know what that driver is going to do. Highway Code

Carry a passenger

Only carry a passenger if your bike is built or has been adapted to carry one. Highway Code

Ride when influenced by drink or drugs

This includes some prescription medicines. To stay safe, you must be alert at all time when riding. Highway Code

Using junctions

Here are some hints to help you at junctions:

Click each title below for more information.
Turning left into a side road

Look out for others turning in or out of the road. Check over your left shoulder just before turning, there might be another cyclist who is going straight ahead. Never filter down the nearside of vehicles turning left. Highway Code

Large vehicles

These may take up an unusual position when turning. They could be turning left although there seems to be plenty of room on their nearside for you. The back of the vehicle will cut in as they approach the junction, hang back and let them turn. They may not have seen you. Highway Code

Turning right

Check it is safe by looking over your right shoulder before signalling and moving to the centre of the road. Wait for a safe gap before turning into the road. You will have to judge the speed of the oncoming traffic carefully. If it is very busy, dismount and push your bike across the road. Highway Code

Dual carriageways

Traffic will be moving quickly. You need to consider this when judging safe gaps in the traffic. Highway Code

Roundabouts

Roundabouts - There are many types of roundabout and some are very busy with traffic. In these cases it is safer to get off and push your bike as a pedestrian. If you decide to ride around it take great care when:

  • Taking up your position, especially if you are turning right.
  • Crossing exits, make sure joining traffic knows you are not leaving by signalling right.
  • Watch out for vehicles taking an exit across your path.
  • Watch out for long vehicles they need more space. Hang back and keep your distance.
Highway Code

Crossings

Here are some things to remember

  • If you are using a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing get off and push your bike across.
  • You can cycle across a toucan crossing. These are shared with pedestrians so be considerate. They are push button operated and as with cycle-only crossings, you may only proceed on the green light.
  • Be careful at level crossings and tramways. You should get off your bike and push it when you see cyclist dismount
Highway Code

Let’s think about the two scenarios again.

You Lack of preparation made this journey unsafe.

Bike Too big for you and your were not in full control.

Helmet You have outgrown the strap adjustment, taking the time to adjust it would have prevented almost losing it.

Tyre Almost flat, you should have checked it out before using it on the road.

Rules You know the rules, you have ridden before, but your lateness and the mood that put you in tempted you to ride on the pavement.

Training Some training would have addressed all the issues that made this journey a risk. Make sure that you are safe as you can be. www.bikebility.co.uk

Sports bag Wearing a bag in this way can effect your balance.

Friend Left in good time, as although they knew the route, this was the first time alone.

Bike The right size and feels like part of them when riding.

Helmet A good fit and fastened safely.

Tyres The bike was serviced a few weeks ago and quick checks before riding are now a matter of routine.

Rules They have studied the rules and know signs and regulations. However, they are aware that however good their knowledge, their mood and what is going on in their lives can make them take poor decisions.

Training

They have taken some training and will go back to take further training at a later date. Learning to ride is fun, enjoyable but is also is a lifelong commitment to staying safe on the road.

Let’s think about the two scenarios again.

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Recap

Know the rules and don’t let outside influences or your mood affect your decisions to follow them.

  • Share the road with others but defend your space
  • Take training and act on what you learn
  • Reflect on your own behaviour:
    • Do you know the rules but let your mood affect whether you follow them?
    • Do you make different decisions when you are in a hurry?
    • If you are unprepared for a task does that influence the result?

Riding a bike safely is fun, eco friendly and can save money.

Use The Highway Code for reference.

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Driver and passengers in a car.
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