Two wheel tips for cycle safety

Cycling is a great way to keep fit, to beat the traffic jams on the way to school and to benefit the environment, but it can also put you at risk on the road with over 2000 cyclists killed or seriously injured on the roads in the UK in 2004, and a further 15000 injured.

To help keep yourself safe - and earn the respect of other road users - stick to the Highway Code and follow a few simple rules:-

•Always wear a cycle helmet - around three quarters of cyclists killed have major head injuries.

•Cycling on the pavement is illegal, so get off and walk if you have no alternative.

•Obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals. Don’t cross the stop line when a traffic signal is at red.

•Be seen! Use a white front and red rear light and a rear red reflector at night - flashing lights ARE now legal, so use as many as you wish! Try to wear light coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight or poor light, and reflective clothing and/or accessories in the dark.

•Get defensive. Look out for other road users and be aware of what they are doing.

•Let people know what you are doing. Look all around before pulling away or manoeuvring and signal clearly

•Look ahead - try and spot potholes, drains and rubbish in the road soon enough to avoid them - and give parked cars a wide berth just in case a car door opens suddenly.

•Use cycle routes and cycle lanes where possible.

•Don’t ride more than two abreast and keep in single file on narrow or busy roads.

•Stay upright! Don’t carry anything that will affect your balance - use a carrier or rucksack and don’t dangle bags from the handlebars!

For cycle helmets, safety clothing, lights and locks at low prices, log on to our Road Safety Shop at http://www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety

A further version of this newsletter with images and live links is available at http://www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety/news