Clothing

• Wear a cycling helmet which conforms to current regulations – make sure it’s the correct size and is securely fastened
• Wear appropriate clothing – avoid dark coloured clothes and clothes which may get tangled or obscure your lights
• Wear reflective or fluorescent clothing/ accessories e.g. belt, arm or ankle bands
• Do not wear anything which may obstruct your balance e.g. it wouldn’t be sensible to carry home a week’s worth of shopping on your bike.

On the road

• Use cycle routes, dedicated cycling tracks, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so
• Cycling lanes are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway. When using cycling lanes, keep within the lane when practical. When leaving a cycle lane, ensure that you’ve checked it is safe do so and signal your intention to other road users
• You must NOT cycle on the pavement
• Most bus lanes can be used by cyclists as indicated on signs. Watch out for people getting on or off a bus. Be very careful when overtaking a bus or leaving a bus lane as you will be entering a busier traffic flow. For your own safety, do not pass between the kerb and a bus when it is at a stop.

Riding your bike

• Keep both hands on the handlebars apart from when you’re signalling or changing gear
• Keep both feet on the pedals
• Never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
• Do not ride close behind a vehicle
• Be considerate of other road users, particularly those with visual impairments. Use your bell if necessary to let them know you are there
• Look all around before moving away from the kerb, turning or manoeuvring, to make sure it is safe to do so. Give a clear signal to show other road users what you intend to do
• Look well ahead for obstructions in the road, such as drains, pot-holes, speed humps and parked vehicles so that you do not have to swerve suddenly
• Be aware of traffic coming up behind you
• Obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals.

Parking your bike

• Find a location where it can be seen by passers-by
• Use cycle stands or other cycle parking facilities wherever possible
• Do not leave it where it would cause an obstruction or hazard to other road users
• Secure it well so that it will not fall over and become an obstruction or hazard.