Being Safe
It's all about being safe
Fear of traffic is one of the main reasons why people don’t cycle. Bikeability sets out to give people the skills to cycle on all types of routes.
The training includes how to control your bike, being able to look and assess traffic, how to communicate and where to position yourself on the road. The training courses themselves are all fully risk assessed.
Bikeability instructors can also advise you on safety equipment and how to check and do simple maintenance on your bike.
Here is a list of simple things that can make cycling safer:
1. Check and maintain your bike regularly and if something looks or feels strange whilst you are cycling get it checked out. Most bike shops are happy to give advice and many run short courses on maintenance. Please visit www.lcc.org.uk for more information.
2. Get in the habit of looking behind you regularly, and before you do a manoeuvre check all around and if appropriate signal to others.
3. If you regularly carry things when you cycle think about getting cycle bags or panniers. Carrying heavy bags can make cycling difficult or might injure your back.
4. If you or your children wear a helmet make sure it is fitted correctly (www.bhsi.org/fitshort.htm). Make sure that you and your bike can be seen in poor visibility or at night.
Cycle helmets are not mandatory in the UK and it remains at an adult's discretion to choose whether they themselves or children in their care should wear helmets. The Government's National Cycle Training Standard - endorsed by road safety groups, cycling organisations, the DfT and all devolved administrations, and upon which Bikeability is based - does not require as compulsory the wearing of cycle helmets during training. However, Cycling England strongly recommends that children wear helmets during their Bikeability training and beyond.
5. If you are not cycling on the road please be aware of others. Many people cannot see or hear you approaching so slow down, if possible ring your bell and if necessary stop or get off.
Every cycling injury is one too many and we are doing everything we can to minimise the numbers of cyclists that are involved in crashes. Both national and local government record road casualties a national fact sheet can be found at www.dft.gov.uk. We also know that many injuries to cyclists and pedestrians are not reported and if you are involved in one of these collisions please make sure you get medical attention and if possible report it. It is possible to get insurance to cover 3rd party claims against you as well as cycle rescue packages.
