Cycle to Work Day (Thursday 5th August) offers the opportunity for more people to commute to work in an environmentally friendly way which can also provide benefits to your health and your wallet!

However, if you are taking your first steps into the cycling world, here are a few tips to help you stay safe on the roads.

Positioning

Sometimes, there may be no cycle lanes on part or all of your route to work. You should never cycle on a pedestrian path, you could be fined £30 if you are caught doing so. While the default positioning for a cyclist on the road is to keep to the left, to ensure cars can easily pass you when it is safe to do so, it may sometimes be recommended that you take up a more central position in the road. This may be the case when you are on a narrow road, in order to stop vehicles overtaking you, and also where there are parked cars on the side of the road, to avoid being struck by a car door opening.

When you are cycling through traffic, be aware of passing larger vehicles such as trucks and lorries on the left-hand side. These sorts of vehicles have a large blind spot on that side and may choose to turn left without being able to see you so it is always advisable to hang back where you are unsure if the driver can see you or not.

Signalling

If you wish to turn left or right, you should make other road users aware of your intentions. This should be done through the universally recognised signal of an outstretched arm in the direction you are intending to travel.

You should also be aware of any vehicles ahead of you who are signalling to turn left as you may need to adjust your speed to avoid a crash.

Clothing

Wearing bright, high visibility clothing will allow you to be seen more easily by other road users. Avoid loose clothing which not only causes drag which could slow you down, but it can also get caught in your bike and cause you to crash.

Always wear a helmet when out cycling as a helmet can protect you from serious head injuries if you were to come off your bike.

Extra Protection

In the same way some drivers use dash cams to record evidence of their journey, some cyclists choose to wear a camera on their helmets to record any incidents which occur. This sort of camera footage can be incredibly useful for determining liability if you are involved in a crash.

How Farleys Can Help

If you are injured in an accident which wasn’t your fault while out on your bike, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. To discuss your case with one of our personal injury specialists, please call 0845 287 0939 or complete our online contact form and a member of the team will get in touch with you.