Rules for Cyclists

59 Clothing

avoid clothes that may get tangled in the chain, wheel or may obscure your lights

60 At Night

• your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit

• it MUST be fitted with a red rear reflector

61 Cycle Routes and Other Facilities

use facilities such as cycle lanes and tracks, advanced stop lines and toucan crossings where they make your journey safer and easier

62 Cycle Tracks

• these routes are physically protected or located away from motor traffic

• you MUST keep to the side intended for cyclists as the pedestrians side remains a pavement or footpath

63 Sharing Space with Pedestrians, Horse Riders and Horse Drawn Vehicles

take care when passing pedestrians and horse riders, especially children, older adults or disabled people

64

you MUST NOT cycle on a pavement

65 Bus Lanes

may be used by cyclists as indicated on signs

66

• avoid actions that could reduce control of your cycle

• be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups

• not riding close behind another vehicle in case it stops suddenly

• don’t carry anything that will affect balance or get tangled

• behind considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders

67

• look around to make sure it is safe before moving away from the kerb or pulling out

• watch out for obstruction on the road such as drains

• take care when passing parked vehicles

• be aware of traffic coming up behind you

• only pass to the left of large vehicles when they are stationary or slow moving

68

• MUST NOT carry a passenger unless your cycle has been adapted

• MUST NOT hold onto a moving vehicle or trailer

• MUST NOT ride in a dangerous or careless way

• MUST NOT ride when under the influence of drinks or drugs

69

MUST obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals

70

when parking

• find a location where it can be seen

• use cycle stands or other cycle parking facilities

• do not leave it where it can obstruct or cause hazard

• secure it well

71

MUST NOT cross the stop line when the traffic lights are red

72 Road Positioning

• ride in the centre of your line to make yourself visible

• allow vehicles moving faster than you to overtake where its safe to do so

73 Junctions

at junctions with no separate cyclist facilities, proceed as if you were driving a motor vehicle

74 Turning

• when approaching a junction on the left, watch out for vehicles turning in front of you, out of or into the side road

• if turning right, check the traffic to ensure it is safe

75 Two Stage Turns

1. when traffic lights turn green, cyclists wishing to make the turn should go straight ahead to the location marked go straight ahead to the location marked by a cycle symbol and turn arrow on the carriageway; then stop and wait there

2. when the traffic lights on the far side of the junction now facing the cyclists turn green they should then complete the manoeuvre

76 Roundabouts - Going Straight Ahead

if going straight ahead at a junction, you priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of the side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise

77 Roundabouts - Busy Roads

• dismount and push your cycle across

• wait for safe gap in traffic

• make use of traffic island or central reservations

78 Roundabout

watch out for vehicles crossing your path to leave or join the roundabout

79 Roundabout - Turning Right

• Ride in either the left-hand or right-hand lanes, then move left as you get close to your exit.

• Stay in the middle of your lane if it is safe, which helps you remain visible.

• Signal right to show drivers you are staying on the roundabout and not leaving yet.

• Look out for other vehicles crossing your path as they join or leave the roundabout.

• Alternative option: Walk your bicycle around the roundabout on the pavement or verge if you feel safer doing so

80 Roundabout - Long Vehicles

give plenty of room to long vehicles on the roundabout as they need more space to manoeuvre

81 Crossing the Road

do not ride across equestrian crossings as they as for horse riders only

82 Crossing the Road - Crossings

Toucan Crossings

• Light-controlled crossings allowing pedestrians and cyclists to share space and cross together.

• Push-button operated where green signals show for both groups simultaneously.

• Cyclists are legally permitted to ride across rather than dismount.

Cycle-Only and Track Crossings

• Linked cycle tracks across roads may feature cycle-only signals.

• Cyclists may ride across, but MUST NOT cross until the green cycle symbol lights up.

• Watch out for pedestrians crossing cycle tracks informally in busy areas.

Level Crossings and Tramways

• Approach with high caution near tramways and level crossings.

• You should dismount if a 'cyclist dismount' sign is shown