Follow the road rules

If you’re cycling on the roads rather than cycle paths then you’ll be sharing them with other road users who don’t always drive safely.

• Give pedestrians priority on shared paths; give them the kind of space you would like to be given by cars.
• Be aware of the traffic around you – assume you are invisible to other road users and ride defensively.
• Ride on the left-hand side with the flow of traffic
• Ride far enough away from the edge of the road to avoid drains and gutters.
• Ride in single file when riding with your mates on busy narrow roads
• Regularly check your brakes so you know you can stop if needed.
• Use hand signals whenever you turn or make a manoeuvre.
• Take extra care in poor weather conditions and give yourself more time to stop.
• Don’t ever jump red lights or ride on pedestrian only pavements. This is illegal, dangerous and frightening for others.
• Give way to pedestrians when turning from one road into another.
• Take special care at junctions, never cut inside a left turning vehicle and never pull out from a junction without checking the main road is clear.
• Only cycle in bus lanes if there is a cycle shown on the road sign.

• Use a mobile phone
• Listen to music
• Lead an animal
• Carry a passenger
• Cycle where there is a no cycling sign
• Cycle on footpaths or pavements unless there is a cycle track.
• Carry anything in your hands or from your handlebars. If you need to carry things then make sure you have panniers, a rack, a basket or a rucksack.