1. The primary position

This can be described as the ‘middle of the traffic flow’ for the direction in which you are riding. It is often referred to as the ‘middle of a lane’ though this is often not the case. Traffic flows do not always stick to lanes (for example, when cycling or driving down narrow roads with parked cars, or when turning out of very wide side roads).

You can think of the primary position as follows:

• It’s a position that you use to discourage road users from overtaking.
• It gives you a better view of the road environment around you and gives other road users better sight of you. When riding in primary position, you will be right in front of other road users.
• It’s always relative to the traffic flow (rather than lane markings). Think of it as being in the same position as where a driver’s number plate would be positioned in the traffic flow. This is important for wider roads and wide-mouthed junctions. 

You could describe the primary position to your riders as ‘Follow me’, because this is what your road position tells other road users.

This shows a wide, ‘bell mouth’ junction. On the approach, both riders are in primary position, in the middle of the traffic flow for the direction they are turning. When they are on the major road, the rider turning left chooses to move to secondary position because they decide there is adequate space for a vehicle to overtake. The rider turning right chooses to stay in primary position, because the lane narrows due to a pedestrian refuge, meaning there is no space for other road users to overtake.

2. The secondary position

This can be described as a position ‘on or to the left of the traffic flow’ for the direction in which you are riding.

You can think of the secondary position as follows:

• It’s a position that allows road users behind to overtake – riding in the secondary position means you recognise that other road users are coming from behind at higher speeds.
• It’s a position that is not normally closer than an arm’s length from the edge of the road and is never ‘in the gutter’. This avoids rubbish and drains and allows the rider some space in case of a close pass.

You could describe this to your riders as ‘Pass me’, because this is what your road position tells other road users.