Cycle safety

Cycling is a great way to get about, but it's not just you on the road. Below are a few tips to help you stay safe when cycling on the road.

Observation and assumption

Keep your eye on the horizon, and then remain calm when a car, truck, bus or pedestrian does the unexpected. Soon you'll be able to read the traffic confidently and you won't be surprised if a pram suddenly appears in your peripheral vision!

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Visibility

Nine out of ten drivers involved in fatal collisions with cyclist say they never saw them. Visibility is vital, so wear reflective clothing even during the day. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, far fewer accidents occur at night.

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Position in the road

If you make drivers aware of your existence they are more likely to respect your space. Your road position is your body language and safety margin, so ride far enough out from the kerb to avoid drain covers and nasty cambers; and allow at least a full door width's clearance between you and parked cars.

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Eye-to-eye contact

Making eye contact with drivers as they try to shimmy in front of you at a junction should tell you whether or not they have seen you. Often just looking into their eyes is enough to make a pedestrian or driver hesitate in making the particular manoeuvre that was about to cause you concern.

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Smooth and assertive

Cyclists who ride nervously are more likely to be cut up or forced into compromising situations by other road users. Some drivers are more likely to bully a cyclist or pedestrian if everyone else is doing it.

Remember there is a clear difference between riding aggressively and assertively.

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Things to watch out for

  • Pedestrians stepping out into the road without looking (and most of us do it on occasion).

  • Vehicles turning left across you - even more serious if it is a bus or truck.

  • Car doors being opened into your path.

  • Delivery vehicles parked in cycle lanes.

  • Drivers failing to indicate properly.

  • Vehicles doing impromptu u-turns.

 With thanks to Transport for London.