Safety and security

Cycling safety tips

• Watch for opening car doors of parked cars.
• Stay back from large vehicles.
• Give walkers time to gather in children and get dogs under control.
• Carry a pump and puncture repair kit and good quality lock.
• Make sure your bike has a bell.
• Catch the drivers eye when crossing junctions to ensure they have seen you.
• When cycling on the road look ahead for hazards such as potholes and parked vehicles.
• Cyclists are advised to ride in the centre of lanes on quieter roads, at junctions and in slower moving traffic.
• Give pedestrians priority at junctions.

For more information about how to stay safe when out on your bike visit the Highway code for cyclists.

Maintenance 

• Check daily that your lights and reflectors are still working and clean and bright, brakes are efficient and gears are working correctly.
• Every week ensure tyres are correctly inflated and the chain is properly adjusted and lubricated.
• Clean your bike monthly with a bike specific cleaning product.
• Check every six months that all fixtures are secure e.g. handlebars, saddle, wheels, pannier rack, lights, etc. If there is movement clean off any dirt, oil the moving parts and tighten these up.

Driver safety tips 

• Drivers must give priority to pedestrians, cyclists and people on horseback.
• Do not cut across cyclists or horse riders. Drivers and motorbike riders should not cut across cyclists or horse riders when they are turning into or out of a junction.
• Assess if you need to overtake. If you do, be prepared to wait behind for a safe opportunity to overtake. Drivers must give cyclists at least 1.5m space when overtaking.
• Give cyclists extra space when going up or down hills.
• Check carefully at side roads.
• Always check over your shoulder once parked before opening car doors.
• Allow more space for cyclists in wet and windy conditions, in bright sunlight and at night.
• Expect to see cyclists 0.5 metres away from the kerb.
• Drivers must expect respect the rules of the road, including indicating, speed limits and traffic lights.

For more information on how to drive or ride a motorbike safely, visit Gov.uk: The Highway Code.

Have you heard of the Dutch Reach?

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Dutch Reach video transcript (PDF, 42 KB)

The Dutch Reach encourages drivers to check over their shoulder for cyclists before opening their car doors. Alarmingly, 35% of drivers admit they do not take this precaution, putting cyclists at risk. Opening a car door without checking can lead to serious accidents, often referred to as "car-dooring", which can have devastating consequences.

The Dutch Reach is a straightforward yet effective technique that can save lives. Instead of using the hand closest to the door (your right hand if you're driving in the UK), use the hand furthest from the door.

This simple action naturally turns your body, allowing you to look over your shoulder for approaching cyclists and other road users.

Security

For information about bike marking schemes, how to lock your bike and how to keep it safe, visit Pedal safe - lock it or lose it.

If your organisation or local shop, church, community centre needs some cycle parking please visit ParkThatBike.