Rules for Cyclists

Reference: 🔗 Gov.uk - Rules for Cyclists

Rule 59: Visibility & Safety Gear

  1. Clothing: Avoid loose clothes that may get tangled in the chain or obscure lights.
  2. Visibility: Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing for better visibility in daylight and poor light.
  3. Reflective Clothing: Use reflective belts, arm/ankle bands at night.
  4. Helmet: Wear a cycle helmet that conforms to current regulations, fits properly, and is securely fastened.
    Help yourself to be seen

Rule 60: Lights & Reflectors

  1. At night, your cycle MUST have:
    1. White front light and red rear light (lit).
    2. Red rear reflector.
    3. Amber pedal reflectors (if manufactured after 1st Oct 1985).
  2. Flashing lights are allowed, but a steady front lamp is recommended in areas without street lighting.

Rule 61: Cycle Lanes & Facilities

  1. Marked by a white line (may be broken).
  2. Use facilities (cycle lanes, advanced stop lines, toucan crossings) if safer, but not compulsory.

Rule 62: Cycle Tracks

  1. These are physically protected or located away from motor traffic.
  2. Shared-use cycle tracks: Be cautious of pedestrians, children, disabled individuals.
  3. MUST keep to the cyclist side.

Rule 63: Sharing with Pedestrians & Horses

  1. Take care when passing pedestrians, horse riders, horse-drawn vehicles.
  2. Warn others by ringing a bell or calling out politely.
  3. Do NOT pass closely or at high speed.

Rule 64: Cycling on Pavements

  1. MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.

Rule 65: Bus Lanes & Traffic Flow

  1. Most bus lanes can be used by cyclists (check road signs).
  2. Be cautious of people getting on/off buses.
  3. Avoid overtaking between the kerb and a stopped bus.

Rule 66: Group Cycling & Control

  1. Avoid actions that reduce control.
  2. You can ride two abreast, but allow drivers to overtake when safe.
  3. Be considerate of blind/partially sighted pedestrians.

Rule 67: Safe Cycling Practices

  1. Look around before moving.
  2. Watch for road hazards (potholes, drains, parked vehicles).
  3. Leave 1-metre gap when passing parked cars.
  4. Pass large vehicles with caution (especially at junctions).

Rule 68: Unsafe Riding Practices

  1. MUST NOT:
    1. Carry passengers unless designed to.
    2. Hold onto moving vehicles.
    3. Ride dangerously, carelessly, or under influence of alcohol/drugs.

Rule 69: Obeying Traffic Laws

  1. MUST obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals.

Rule 70: Parking Your Cycle

  1. Choose a visible location.
  2. Use cycle stands where possible.
  3. Avoid causing obstruction or hazard.

Rule 71: Traffic Light Rules

  1. MUST NOT cross the stop line when lights are red.
  2. At advanced stop lines, you may cross the first stop line, but not the final stop line.

Rule 72: Road Positioning

  1. Centre of the lane:
    1. On quiet roads.
    2. In slow-moving traffic.
    3. At junctions and narrow roads.
  2. Left side of the lane:
    1. On busy roads.
    2. Keep at least 0.5 metres from kerb.
    3. Be cautious on dual carriageways and slip roads.

Rule 73: Junctions and Positioning

  1. Some junctions have special cycle facilities (e.g., cycle traffic lights at eye level) to allow cyclists to cross separately or ahead of other traffic.
  2. Use these facilities where they make your journey safer and easier.
  3. At junctions without separate cycle facilities, proceed as if driving a motor vehicle see Rules 170-190.
  4. Position yourself in the centre of your chosen lane to be more visible and avoid dangerous overtaking.
  5. If you feel unsafe, dismount and wheel your bike across the junction.

Rule 74: Turning at Junctions

  1. When approaching a junction on the left, watch out for vehicles turning in front of you.
  2. If turning left, check for other cyclists or motorcyclists before signalling.
  3. Do not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing to turn left.
  4. If turning right, check traffic, signal, and move to the centre of the road.
  5. Wait for a safe gap before turning or consider dismounting and pushing your bike across.
  6. Give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross.

Rule 75: Two-Stage Turns at Signal-Controlled Junctions

  1. Some junctions require cyclists to turn right in two stages:
    1. Stage 1: Move straight ahead to the marked cycle waiting area and stop.
    2. Stage 2: Wait for the green signal on the far side and then complete the turn.

Rule 76: Going Straight Ahead at Junctions

  1. Cyclists have priority over traffic waiting to turn unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.
  2. Check for safety, particularly when riding alongside stationary or slow-moving traffic.
  3. Watch for drivers turning across your path, especially large vehicles that may have limited visibility.
  4. Be cautious when overtaking lorries at junctions; they may need to move right before turning left.

Rule 77: Crossing Busy Roads

  1. On busy or fast-moving roads, consider dismounting and pushing your bike across.
  2. Wait for a safe gap before crossing, especially on dual carriageways.
  3. Use traffic islands or central reservations where available.

Rule 78: Roundabouts – General Guidance

  1. Follow Rules 184 to 190 for standard roundabout procedures.
  2. Watch for vehicles entering or leaving, as drivers may not easily see cyclists.

Rule 79: Cycling on Roundabouts

  1. If turning right, you can use either the right-hand lane or stay in the left-hand lane.
  2. Signal right to indicate that you are staying on the roundabout.
  3. If keeping to the left-hand lane:
    1. Be extra cautious as drivers may not see you.
    2. Signal right to show that you are not leaving.
    3. Watch for vehicles crossing your path.
  4. Where available, use cycle-specific roundabout facilities for a safer route.

Rule 80: Giving Space to Long Vehicles on Roundabouts

  1. Give extra space to large vehicles as they require more room to turn.
  2. Avoid riding in their turning path, especially near the kerb.
  3. Wait until they have cleared the roundabout if necessary.

Rule 81: Crossing Restrictions for Cyclists

  1. Do not ride across:
    1. Equestrian crossings (for horse riders only).
    2. Pelican, puffin, or zebra crossings – dismount and wheel your bike across.

Rule 82: Using Toucan Crossings and Cycle Track Crossings

  1. Toucan crossings allow cyclists and pedestrians to cross together with a green signal.
  2. Cycle-only signalled crossings may link cycle tracks across roads.
  3. MUST NOT cross until the green cycle symbol appears.
  4. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians when cycling in shared spaces.
  5. At level crossings and tramways, be extra careful and dismount where a 'cyclist dismount' sign is displayed.