Safer For Cyclists

Safer for

Cyclists For information on cycling and road safety please visit:

www.SussexSaferRoads.gov.uk

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility whichever way you choose to get around Contents: 03: Introduction 04: Cyclists - The Law 07: Tips for Safer Riding 12: Maintenance 15: Journey Planning 17: Recommended Reading 18: Local Resources 02

Introduction Sussex can be a beautiful place to cycle around. In our towns and cities, using a bike is not only a healthier and more environmentally friendly option, but beats congestion and parking charges as well.

It’s important not to overstate the risks of cycling, but there are risk factors which a cyclist can influence by riding defensively. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility whichever way you choose to get around. Rider, driver, pedestrian or cyclist, we all have our part to play.

We hope that you find this booklet useful. For more information about all aspects of cycling in Sussex, please visit: www.SussexSaferRoads.gov.uk

03

Cyclist - The Law

The Highway Code covers cycling in Rules 59-82. These rules are either legal requirements (‘Must’/ ‘Must not’) OR advisory (‘Should’/ ‘Should not’/ ‘Do’/ ‘Do not’)

MUST:

MUST NOT:

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•

Cycle on pavements

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Cross the solid white stop line when the traffic lights are red

Obey traffic signs and • traffic light signals (this includes one way signs unless a cycle contra • flow is in operation)

Carry a passenger unless their bicycle is adapted to carry one

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Use the correct side of a shared space where marked.

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Ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner

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Keep to the side intended for cyclists, when using segregated tracks

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Ride under the influence of drink or drugs including medicine

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Cross on a cycle crossing facility unless the green cycle symbol is showing

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At night, have white front and red rear lights lit with a red rear reflector

Hold on to a moving vehicle or trailer

SHOULD:

DO NOT:

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Wear light coloured, fluorescent or reflective clothing

•

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Wear a cycle helmet

Ride across a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing.

Dismount and wheel your cycle across

•

Use cycle lanes and advanced stop signs where safe to do so

•

Park your bicycle where it could cause a hazard or obstruction to other road users

•

Avoid riding two abreast on busy roads or on bends

•

Ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left

•

Be considerate to other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and consider fitting a bell to warn them of your presence.

•

Ride close behind another vehicle

•

Carry anything which will affect your balance

05

Assume that the driver will not be able to see you 06

Tips for Safer Riding OBSERVATION AND ANTICIPATION Look ahead as far as possible. Try to concentrate on an area two to three vehicles ahead spanning the full road width, observing as many potential hazards as you can.

(For example - side junctions, bus stops, children playing, parked cars, oncoming vehicles, queues & road surfaces) If you cannot see the driver in the mirror of the vehicle in front, always assume that driver will not be able to see you. This is particularly important with buses and goods vehicles which often have blind spots. Never try to pass a lorry, bus or van on the inside.

Note other drivers’ signals but never rely on them!

The wheels of a vehicle ahead can be a more accurate indication of what is about to happen.

A common hazard is for vehicles to overtake you and then turn in front of you to park or turn left.

From time to time and at the approach of any junction, glance back over your right shoulder so you know what’s happening behind you. Always check it’s safe to look back before doing so. Combine this with careful listening for changes in engine pitch as the driver uses brakes, accelerator or changes gear. These can give you an important warning of what is about to occur.

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VISIBILITY If you are not prepared to wear hi-viz clothing, consider brighter colours and accessories such as wheel spoke lights, hi-viz rucksack covers and extra reflective markings on your bike frame.

DISTRACTIONS Riding with headphones makes it much more difficult for you to hear other vehicles around you.

Using a mobile phone or texting while riding slows your reaction time and limits your ability to get out of risky situations in an emergency.

In the event of a collision, cyclists using phones or wearing headphones risk prosecution for riding in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner.

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le i b o ng m i a t x g e n Usi ne or t pho riding e whil s your e slow tion tim c rea

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RIDING STYLES Consider your positioning to ensure you maintain maximum visibility to other road users. Staying as far left as possible while weaving around parked cars is not a safe strategy.

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BE AWARE THAT VEHICLES HAVE BLIND SPOTS Bus, van and lorry drivers cannot see all around their vehicles - The yellow sections are the blind spots.

Ride in the centre of the lefthandmost lane (the PRIMARY position) when you can keep up with the traffic, when you need to emphasise your presence to traffic ahead, or when you need to prevent following drivers from passing you unsafely.

If you are causing inconvenience to following drivers, it is more reasonable to ride further to the left (the SECONDARY position) when this could help others so long as your own safety is not compromised. This is about 1m to the left of the moving traffic lane if the road is wide, but no closer than 0.5m to the edge of the road. This is essential for your visibility to other road users at junctions.

On rural roads, including some A & B roads, it is much more considerate to ride single file.

11

Maintenance At night – are your lights working?

Before you ride, check your ABC

Air – are your tyres correctly inflated?

(Check the tread!)

Brakes – do they work?

Chain – is it properly fitted and oiled?

For more maintenance tips, go to: www.sussexsaferroads.gov.uk If you are unsure of how to maintain your bike, get it serviced or consider a maintenance course (see local resources section).

12

Journey planning There are some great websites to help you plan a cycling journey, find flatter and quieter routes, explore the glories of the county by bike, and even find out how many calories you will burn, carbon emissions you’ll prevent and money you will save by cycling. www.journeyon.co.uk Brighton & Hove’s own journey planning site. www.cyclejourneyplanner.westsussex.gov.uk West Sussex Cycle journey planner. http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/ Cycle Streets journey planner.

13

Recommended Reading The official Highway Code (Department for Transport: TSO 2015) Cyclecraft - the complete guide to safe and enjoyable cycling for adults and children (John Franklin; TSO 2014) Advanced cycling - the essential guide (John Franklin: IAM 2010) The CTC guide to Family cycling (CTC: James Pembroke Publishing 2008) Big Blue book of Bicycle Repair Edition 3 (Calvin Jones; Park Tool Co.) Haynes the Bike Book (Fred Milson; Haynes 2012) Richard’s 21st Century Bicycle book (Richard Ballantine; Overlook 2001).

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Local Resources West Sussex County Council http://bit.ly/WsxCycling Journey planning, rural rides and links between towns, The Downs link and the South Downs Way, cycle hire and events; training providers and more.

East Sussex County Council http://bit.ly/EsxCycling Cycle routes including great rural rides and links between towns, the South Downs Way and the London-Paris ‘Avenue Verte’.

Brighton and Hove City Council http://bit.ly/BhccCycling An extensive urban network including car free & quieter routes; NCN2 Coastal links to Shoreham, Worthing, Telscombe and beyond; Cycle facilities guide including parking and toucan crossings; safety advice and more.

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Email:

Info@SussexSRP.org.uk

SaferRoads

Web:

@SussexSRP

www.SussexSaferRoads.gov.uk SussexSaferRoadsPartnership

Produced in 2018 by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership.

All information correct at the time of going to print.

Printed on recycled paper