How to cycle defensively on the road
Top road cycling safety tips
Cycling on roads can be a daunting or even dangerous experience, but you can lessen the risks when road biking by checking out our guide to riding defensively and keeping safe when cycling on the road.
Defensive cycling involves always being aware of what is going on around you, as well as always expecting the unexpected!
Defensive cycling is based on the four concepts below:
- Manoeuvrability of your bike.
- Visibility of your mountain bike.
- Predictability.
- Communication.
These four concepts should always be put into practice when cycling on the roads and some extra hints to keep you safe are listed below …
Wear a cycle helmet! Helmets have already been discussed in the ‘accessories section’ but never cycle without one … over 80 per cent of cycling-related deaths are due to head injuries (which could have been avoided if a helmet had been worn).
Obey traffic signs and signals. As a cyclist you are a road user just like a motorist in a car and you are subject to the same traffic laws.
Use hand signals when cycling. A significant way to increase your safety on the road is by communicating your intentions with other road users. Learn the basic hand signals and use them accordingly. Remember to signal when it is safe to do so without the need for both hands on the handlebars!
If you are overtaking other cyclists then let them know by shouting ‘on your right’ so they are expecting you to pass. Mountain bikes make little noise and it can be a shock to someone if you pass them unexpectedly causing them to lose control of their own bike.
Ride on the roadway or in the cycle lane and not on footpaths as this increases the chance of accidents with pedestrians.
Stay clear of the kerb. Ride roughly one metre away from the kerb. This will ensure you are more visible to other road users, and also reduce the risk of clipping your pedals on the kerb. Areas near to the kerb may contain broken glass, drain covers or potholes, which should be avoided wherever possible. If cars are parked on the side of the road try to ride a car-door width away from them.
Do not be intimidated by other road users. Whilst you should always be wary of other road users, there is no need to feel intimidated by them. Cyclists have as much right to use the roads as other vehicles, so there is no need to feel like you should pull over to let traffic pass you.
Always use your lights when cycling at night to ensure you and your bike are highly visible to other road users.
Wear bright clothing — even in daylight, but especially at night, wear bright clothing to make you highly visible to other road users.
Don’t ride abreast. Always ride in single file to allow other traffic to pass you easily and smoothly. Cycling abreast seriously impedes other road users and can lead to the likelihood of an accident if an impatient driver gets stuck behind you. If you need to talk to someone you are riding with, shout to them to pull over and stop rather than riding abreast.
Never ‘undertake’ slow moving vehicles. If traffic is moving slowly always pass other road users on the right hand side and do not undertake. Many car drivers will suddenly turn left or change lanes without indicating or checking their mirrors and this could lead to an accident.
Check out more cycling articles in our cycle training section
Comments (3)
chrisbarltrop 'Whilst I applaud your advice and the intentions of your article I must take issue with one or two of the points you make. Your suggestion that cyclists should ride close to the kerb goes against all the training that is provided in schools and elsewhere by cycling proficiency volunteers and fully trained National Standard "Bikeability" instructors. We suggest at least half a metre from the kerb is a sensible riding position and often use the analogy of "two school rulers:" 2 x 30cm. Cyclists to naturally move slightly from side to side and certain weather conditions do have an impact; we want to avoid pedals clipping kerbs. Whilst you mention potential hazards such as drains and debris, the idea of cyclists suddenly manoeuvring out to avoid puddles is likely only to add to accidents as bikes collide with unsuspecting motorists. Fiurther, although I accept that courtesy to other road users whilst cycling is important, the suggestion that cyclists should pull over for traffic implies that motor vehicles have some sort of priority on our roads. This is not the case. In the introduction to the Highway Code, reference is made to "all road users" being "considerate towards each other." Rules 144 and 147 of the Code further explain this and Rule 204 urges caution around more vulnerable road users that include, surprise, cyclists. Unfortunately, these misinformed sections of the article seriously undermine the good practice and common sense referred to elsewhere. It also creates an unncessary impression that cycling is a dangerous occupation rather than educating the hubristic drivers of this world who do get agitated behind the wheel or believe that they are somehow entitled to freedom of passage on their terms. Drivers should have to retake their test every ten years. I'm a driver and too old to have taken the hazard perception test; does it include cyclists? Drivers should also have to either pass Bikeability at Level 2 or, in the case of physically impaired drivers, have some understanding of using the roads other than in an enclosed vehicle. Chris Barltrop'
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chrisbarltrop 'And you're lucky I made the mistake of recording two stars! I tried to change it to 1 but it didn't work'
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Kirstie_McIntosh 'Hi chrisbarltrop - thanks for your feedback and we have amended the article accordingly '
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