Safety tips
When you first begin riding stick to the parks and quiet streets as your confidence builds. Once you are able to signal and look around without wobbling, you can start to expand your journeys.
If you have been cycling for a while you may have started using some of the busier and more direct routes. Whatever your level of experience, remember there may be gaps in your knowledge.
A free cycling course can help refine your bike control, grow your confidence and offer a useful introduction to the road.
Below you will find the most important advice on staying safe while cycling, and some more general tips to help you enjoy the ride.
Remember - vehicles have blind spots
Large vehicles, such as lorries, have blind spots along either side and just in front of them.
Be wary when passing them and never do so if there is a chance the vehicle could turn across your path. Listen for their turning warning sounds and look for indicators at the side of the lorries.
Should you find yourself next to a large vehicle just before a junction, do not proceed until you are absolutely sure it is going straight on and not simply taking the turn wide. Be very careful around guardrails at corners - they can trap you.
Make sure your bike is working
Have it serviced or do a bike maintenance class. It is very simple to keep a bike in order with a few tools. Are the tyres pumped up hard? Do both the brakes work well? Is the chain running smoothly and is lightly oiled?
Take as much space as you need
This means riding away from the gutter and well clear of parked cars in case someone opens a door. Imagine all the parked car doors are hanging wide open. Riding in this position makes you more visible to all other users including pedestrians who may step out between parked vehicles.
Discourage close overtaking
Where the lane becomes too narrow for people to pass you safely, look behind and move to the centre of the lane in good time.
When using junctions, ride in the middle of your lane
This will deter close overtaking. Whether turning or going straight ahead, it is best not to overtake just before a junction.
Guard against the tendency to rush
It can lead to problems. Sometimes it is best to get to the front, at other times it is better to hang back amongst the other traffic. You are already using one of the fastest modes of transport in Broxbourne. Take your time and enjoy the ride.
Use lights at night and in poor visibility
If you ride between sunset and sunrise, you are legally required to equip your bike with:
- white front light
- red rear light
- red rear reflector
- amber/yellow pedal reflectors
The Council recommends you use your lights whenever weather conditions make visibility poor, such as with fog or rain.
High visibility clothing will also make you more visible, particularly if it incorporates reflective strips which are very effective at night.
General advice
In addition to all of the above, here are some more general steps you can take to stay safe:
- remember to look around, particularly behind you
- look back and signal clearly and in good time before changing lanes or turning
- ride with your fingers resting on your brakes at all times
- look at the road ahead and get set up for any change in your road position in good time
- make eye contact with drivers at side roads
- ride in a predictable and positive fashion
- obey traffic law and respect pedestrian crossings