Do’s and Don’ts
For those who have not cycled in London before it may be a daunting prospect. If you follow the following rules you will be a lot safer.

Do

  • AVOID main roads and major junctions if you are a beginner
  • WEAR bright clothes – fluorescent clothes or bands are best
  • ALWAYS be on the alert
  • ALWAYS look behind before overtaking parked cars or turning right.
  • ALWAYS approach side junctions warily in case cars pull out in front of you without looking.
  • ALWAYS use lights at night
  • BEWARE of motorists opening car doors when you are passing parked cars
  • WEAR a properly fitted helmet that conforms to a recognised standard
  • ALWAYS keep your bike well-maintained particularly the brakes
  • ALWAYS have a bell so that you can warn people that you are coming.

Don’t

  • Cycle on the pavement. It is illegal and frightens pedestrians, particularly the elderly and blind and partially sighted people. Some shared cycle/ pedestrian tracks are being introduced in the borough, but only where the number of pedestrians is low.

The Council is committed to reducing the casualty rate for cyclists involved in traffic accidents. The Mayor of London's target is to reduce cycling casualties - i.e. those killed and seriously injured - by 50% by 2010 from the baseline average of 12. The aim is to reach this target through a combination of education, training, engineering and enforcement. Nearly all main roads now have cycling facilities and in many sections of road further safety improvements may be very challenging.