On two wheels
Thursday 31 May 2007
There are many good reasons to ride a bicycle, staying safe and aware on the roads is key to enjoying cycling . n2k gives you the lowdown.
Why cycle?
Independence
Gone are the days of bugging your parents, siblings or friends for lifts. Riding a bicycle means that you can be independent and go where you want, when you want.
Health
It’s good for you! Official reports have confirmed that cycling can keep you fit and young for longer.
Speed
Passed your driving test recently? If you have then you’ve probably been caught in a traffic jam more than once, especially during rush hour. During those times riding a bike can be twice as fast as going by car.
Low costs
With no road tax, no MOT, no insurance, no licensing, no breakdown cover and no petrol to buy owning a bike is very cheap. Keeping your bike in good condition is important but still much cheaper than a car and your bike will last much longer than a car too.
Also have you checked out how much it costs to park a car? A bicycle can be parked just about anywhere.
Environmentally friendly
Unlike cars a bicycle takes up very little space, are quieter and don’t pollute the environment at all.
Law of the lane
So if you are going to buy a bike what are the laws you should follow?
According to the Highway Code cyclists should not use the pavement at all. However the police and the government do acknowledge that sometimes it can be scary, especially for children and young people to ride in the traffic and will allow you to do so.
If you do have to ride on the pavement be considerate to pedestrians. For pedestrians, having someone whizzing straight towards you at great speed can be really intimidating and could cause an accident.
If you see a cycle lane, use it. If you are over 16 and are caught riding on a pavement instead of a cycle lane, you can be issued a £30 fixed penalty notice. Those under 16 cannot be fined but that’s no excuse to go wild!
As we move towards a more environmentally aware society and the benefits of a bicycle become more obvious, the government is likely to respond by creating more lanes with clearer markings.
On the road
It’s mainly common sense and all comes down to being considerate and mindful, but here’s a check list of other laws you need to know before getting on the road
- At night you need front and back lights
- You should have a reflector on the back of your bike.
- Have a bell on your bike and use it but try not to scare pedestrians with it.
- Don’t cycle under the influence of alcohol; you could get points on your car license for this!
- Although obviously you can’t be done for speeding, cyclists can be fined for “cycling furiously”!
- Don’t give anyone a backie, especially if you’re riding on the road.
- Don’t go through red lights and follow the Highway code
It is also important to be safe if you’re a cyclist. Wearing reflective clothing and a helmet to prevent head injuries are very important.
Cycling to school
A Department of Transport supported project called Bike It is trying to encourage school children in the UK to ride to school. They address issues such as safe routes to get to school and also run training courses on how to ride a bike safely for parents and children.
Find routes to school near you and how you can get involved in the campaign.
Checklist
- Remember to stay safe on the road and follow the Highway Code!
- The CycleSense website by the Department for Transport also offers safety advice for teenage cyclists.
- Keep your bike in good working order, try this 10 second bike check
