Safer Cyclists
Information for Motorists
With increases in petrol prices and public transport costs, and
a growing concern for the environment, more and more people of all
age groups are relying on pedal power to get them around these
days.
Road casualties involving cyclists have risen dramatically over
the last few years, with over forty fatal or serious injuries in
2011, around twice as many as in 2010. The roads are there for
everybody, and no one group of road users has priority over
another. In this section we aim to promote understanding between
all, and offer advice on how we can work together to make our roads
safer for everyone.
Legislation under the Road Safety Act 1988 gives the court power
to sentence drivers for up to 14 years imprisonment for causing
Death by Dangerous Driving, order a period of disqualification for
a minimum of 2 years and endorse your driving licence with up to 11
penalty points.
Other consequences include
- A criminal record, affecting your future
- Difficulites getting insurance, or execptionally high insurance
once you get your licence back
- You could lose your job – 15% of those convicted do
- Legal expenses
Think about it, could you live with the
consequences?
When turning
- Expect the unexpected. Check your mirrors and your blind spots
before turning,. Approaching cyclists can often be
momentarily hidden behind other vehicles when you’re turning right,
or could be coming up on the nearside when you’re turning left. If
there is a cyclist approaching, don’t try and turn in before they
reach the junction, they may be approaching faster than you think,
let them pass.
When overtaking
- Leave at least a metre of space when passing cyclists. They may
move out unexpectedly to avoid a pot-hole or drain cover.
- Treat overtaking a cyclist as you would when overtaking any
other vehicle, if there is oncoming traffic or your vision is
limited, wait until the road ahead is clear with plenty of space to
allow you to overtake safely.
- The slightest touch can destabilise a cyclist. Leave extra room
in wet weather to take account of wet or slippery surfaces.
- Don’t overtake a cyclist on a narrow stretch of road, or where
the road narrows ahead. Better to wait until the road widens, to
avoid forcing them off the road.
At traffic lights
- Some traffic lights have ‘advanced stop lines’ which give space
for cyclists ahead of other traffic. Be patient - give them
plenty of time and space to move off when the lights change to
green.
On a roundabout
- You must give way to cyclists approaching from the right, as
you would any other vehicle.
On country roads
- Don’t take risks when driving around bends on country roads,
your speed should take into account the chance that there may be
cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians or slow moving vehicles just
ahead.
At night
- As with any other road user, dip your headlights when
approaching a cyclist at night.
Parking up
- Once you’ve parked up and are getting out of your car, open
your door slowly checking that there is no cyclist approaching on
the off-side. They won’t necessarily be expecting a door to
suddenly open directly in their path.
- Don’t park in cycle lanes, thereby forcing a cyclist onto the
main road. It is an offence to drive or park in a cycle lane
marked with a solid white line.
Advice for Cyclists - Coming Soon!