🚲 Cycle safety

Hello All

Cycling is a popular means of transport both for commuting and exercise. The Highway code provides rules that legally 'must' be followed and advice that 'should' be followed to keep cyclists safe on the roads.

A breach of these rules is a criminal offence and can be used as evidence in both criminal and civil proceedings.

Rules for lights and brakes are examples of two areas that have legal requirements. Other rules concern cycling whilst unfit through drinks and drugs or careless and dangerous cycling.

Find out more about the Highway Code rules for cyclists (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82).

Further advice and guidance

🚲 Cycling UK - a UK charity offering advice and guidance to cyclists

🚲 British Cycling - advice for enthusiasts and professional cyclists

🚲 See and be seen...
This is the mantra of the national standard for cycle training (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-standard-for-cycle-training), which the government defines as: “The skills and understanding needed to cycle safely and responsibly, and to enable others to cycle.” This is important all year round, but especially so when daylight hours are limited.

🚲 Lights on your bike...
Winter riding often means riding in the dark, especially if you’re commuting. This means the most important part of your kit is lights. These will help ensure you can both see and be seen. It’s also a legal requirement to have both a white front and red rear light between dusk and dawn. It’s a good idea to have a spare set handy, too. Our guide to cycle light regulations gives more information.

The exact type of light you need depends on what sort of cycling you do – if you stick to well-lit areas the point is to be seen, if you cycle on unlit roads and tracks the emphasis is on lighting your way. Our handy guide to lights offers more advice.

Rechargeable lights are great if you can charge them at work. But do make sure they’ll stay charged long enough when you’re out. Dynamos can save you money on batteries but cost a lot as you'll most likely need a new front wheel and new front light and rear lights. Most modern dynamo powered lights stay lit for a time after stopping, which is important if you happen to stop at junctions a lot.

🚲 Use your clothing to be seen...
Hi-vis clothing is a contentious issue, and there’s little research showing that it makes cyclists any safer. At Cycling UK we think it comes down to personal choice. It’s certainly not going to do any harm and if you feel safer then it’s worth the investment.

Research does show, though, that contrasting colours can help make you more visible. It makes sense if you think about it – a cyclist wearing all yellow isn’t going to be visible against a field of blooming rapeseed, regardless of whether it’s hi-vis or not. Conversely, a white or brightly coloured outer shell against a dark background will stand out.

Also backed up by research is the use of retroreflective accessories to make you more conspicuous in the dark. These are made from materials that bounce light back to its source, lighting up in the beam of car headlights, for example.

The theory is that attaching these accessories to limbs makes the most difference as far as detection is concerned because they move, and humans are particularly sensitive to ‘biomotion’ – the movements a biological organism makes. Retroreflective elements on any part of you that moves is likely to aid detection – head, hands, feet and ankles.

*Information taken from the Derbyshire Constabulary Website & Cycling UK.

#Cycling #SaferStreetsDerbyshire #CyclingUK

Thanks, PCSO Kirsty Hunt