Cycling to Work
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First-rate cycle storage facilities available for staff.
Do you have any youngsters? See whether you can combine their daily routine with yours...
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Introductory Information
If you would like some advice about cycling to work, contact any of the following members of staff:-
Bicycle-Users' Email Network - visit the list webpage and complete the online form in order to start receiving emails. Messages from cycle users are posted from time to time, and you are welcome to contribute to any constructive discussion.
Are you concerned about the cost of a new bicycle? Consider obtaining a brand new bike on very advantageous terms via the 'Cycle to Work' scheme.
See also:-
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BUG Community Blog - Share information and take part in discussions with other cycling staff around the University.
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Information on planning your route to work: maps etc. Some of these pages relate to locations outside Leeds, but within easy commuting distance by rail. Bear in mind that bicycles are allowed on most Leeds-bound trains free of charge, and without the need to book. So even if you don't feel like cycling a long distance, consider cycling to your nearest railway station instead. When you arrive at Leeds station, either lock your bike and walk, or cycle up from there!
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Spacious cycle park near the EC Stoner Building.
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Cycling Safely - A Guide
1. Reading
- Read The Highway Code.
- Rules 59-82 are intended for cyclists in particular.
- Read Roadcraft, particularly if you drive. Although the book is intended for motorists, cyclists can learn much from the underlying principles.
- Read Cyclecraft, by John Franklin.
2. Bright Clothing
Making yourself as visible as possible is the first step to being safe on the road! Always wear a brightly-coloured top. Add fluorescent trimmings at night. See the Highway Code (rule 59).
Research in New Zealand (the Taupo Bicycle Study) has demonstrated that low cyclist conspicuity may increase the risk of crash-related injury and subsequent time off work.
3. Lights
Every cyclist knows that lighting up at night is a legal requirement. It is also wise to use lights during daylight hours when there is rain or poor visibility. Ask yourself whether the vehicles around you have their lights on.
Helmet lights are particularly effective at attracting the attention of motorists and other road users. Ask your local bike shop for advice.
Fitting two or more rear lights to your bike makes a difference. The next photo shows a cyclist in Paris (Rue Saint-Antoine). See how effective pedal reflectors are, too:
Flashing lights were made legal in Britain in 2005 (Statutory Instrument 2005 no 2559). The Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC) describe in detail the legal requirements with respect to lights and reflectors: click here.
4. Cycle Lanes
Cycle lanes are handy when passing queues of stationary or slow-moving traffic. This is one of the many advantages of cyling to work: it is often faster than going by car or public transport. Be cautious, however. Assume no-one has spotted you, and keep your eyes open for driver and pedestrian behaviour confirming that assumption. If you tend to cycle fast, slow right down. Self-preservation is much more important than speed!
Take care when passing buses and other high-sided vehicles. Have you slowed down sufficiently to be able to stop, just in case a pedestrian or turning car suddenly appears in your path? Have you left yourself enough space should the bus or other large vehicle suddenly change direction? Are you able to pass the vehicle safely without risk of it blocking your way? Do you have a means of escape? Look out for clues. Is the traffic in front moving at all? Is there a road junction? Read the Highway Code, rules 65 and 73.
Contraflow cycle lanes can be very convenient. The above photo shows a contraflow cycle lane on Calverley Street. This is a winter scene: spot the thin film of slush and tyre marks! Stop at the pelican crossing when the lights are red. With contraflow facilities generally, beware of pedestrians who are about to step into your path. Quite often they are looking the wrong way.
Cycling England provide a 'Design Portfolio' in relation to cycle lanes. If you are concerned about the adequacy of a particular cycle lane, this is a useful reference document. See also the Department for Transport (DfT) 'Cycle Infrastructure Design' document (Local Transport NPte 2/08), October 2008.
5. Advanced Stop Lines (ASLs)
ASLs mark out a safe refuge at the head of a queue of traffic. Design characteristics of an ASL are well-defined, and information can be found on the website of Cycling England; one of their 'Design Portfolios'.
ASLs are often accompanied by a "lead-in lane". Once you reach the ASL, locate yourself in front of the appropriate lane if you intend to turn right or go straight ahead (if the left-hand lane is for turning left only). Many cyclists assume that a motorist encroaching on an ASL is breaking the law, but this isn't necessarily the case! There is one circumstance where it is permitted (read the Highway Code rule 178 in full).
Do not be angry with motorists. It achieves nothing except "red mist" and increases the risk of an incident. Don't jump the lights. Not only is it illegal, it creates uncertainty and perpetuates a negative attitude towards the cycling community. Hold back where you can be seen. If a motorist is occupying the part of the ASL you need to use, again hold back. Find a safe space. If the lights are turning green, or you know from local knowledge that they are about to turn green, or if the traffic has started moving, don't race up to the ASL. Again, it is probably sensible to hold back. Look behind, signal if necessary, and claim the middle of the lane, flowing along with the traffic whilst it is travelling at your pace.
6. Off-road
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users; not cyclists. This principle applies off-road too, where shared-use facilities often exist. A pedestrian can be seriously injured by a cyclist. See for instance this article in the Bradford 'Telegraph & Argus', February 2009.
Therefore, in the same way as you might expect a motorist on a narrow road to slow down and give you a wide berth, be considerate towards pedestrians. Fellow cyclists deserve to be treated with respect too. Here are some suggestions:-
- Adopt a patient attitude. Be in no great hurry if the path is crowded.
- Ring your bell to give plenty of advance notice, but don't ring it aggressively.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary, especially where the path is narrow or crooked.
- Note particularly the narrow, blind gaps under certain canal bridges.
- Dismount and walk if you are in a crowded thoroughfare, even if cycling is permitted.
- Smile and say "thank you" when someone steps aside for you.
- Beware of dogs. Stop and wait if necessary.
- Look out for cyclists approaching from the opposite direction. Again, slow down if the path is narrow. Resist the temptation to demonstrate how fast you are.
- Beware of pedestrians who are hard of hearing or lack mobility. Ringing your bell in advance might not help. Be particularly considerate towards the elderly and infirm.
- Other pedestrians - and indeed some cyclists - choose to plug themselves into personal stereo systems such as iPods, thus dulling their senses and reducing awareness of the surroundings. Again, slow down and be patient.
Happy co-existence is possible with a little effort and patient consideration for other people! See this image from a 1935 magazine entitled 'The Tramper & Cyclist' (Bodleian Library).
7. Some Basic Facts
Cycling makes a big difference to all round fitness and well
being. Your quality and length of life are significantly improved
by regular cycling. However, there are a small number of cycle
related accidents leading to serious injury each year in Leeds.
Locally produced statistics suggest that:-
- Most cycle accidents involve children under 16 and take
place during daylight hours in the spring and summer months in
fine dry weather.
- For cyclists over the age of 20, bad judgement by motorists
at junctions (especially when they are turning right) is the most
common cause of injuries.
- Otley Road and Kirkstall Road are more heavily used
by cyclists than others. There are known danger points on both
roads. The provision of cycle lanes may indicate increased risk
rather than greater protection (see the above advice).
- In the very small number of accidents caused by cyclists
over 20, two factors stand out. Colliding with parked vehicles;
and ignoring traffic controls at junctions are the culprits.
8. Other Hints
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In addition to making yourself clearly visible by wearing bright clothes (see above), develop an upright posture in traffic. Ostentatious hand signalling
can also help.
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Assume the worst. It will happen. Read
Victoria Pendleton's advice in 'The Times', June 2009. As you get to know
your route, anticipate all the likely crossing points that motorists
are going to use, and notice what’s happening. Give yourself
room and time to turn away, slow down or stop when somebody does
pull out. Somebody will pull out.
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A brief attempt at eye contact with a motorist waiting
to join the road from your left might alert them to your presence.
If not, it will give you some indication as to whether they have
noticed you.
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Don’t cross lights on red. Don’t cycle on
footpaths. Predictability is helpful, and following legal requirements
makes your behaviour more predictable. Other people's safety and
well-being is just as important as yours.
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When passing stationary or slow-moving traffic, assume that someone will open a door. Alternatively, a bus passenger might step
off a bus into a cycle lane in between bus stops. Give a wide
berth and have an escape route planned. Read
"Dooring - The Door Zone" from Londonskaters.com.
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Courtesy does not need to be conditional on others'
good behaviour. However provoked you might feel, raging or preaching
at motorists or careless pedestrians will not improve your
safety, and can itself provoke retaliation.
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If a junction on your route is big and leaves you exposed
to fast moving traffic, consider a different route. Or it might be best to dismount and cross over as a pedestrian.
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Don’t ride as if cycle lanes are safety zones
– they are associated with more accidents not fewer; and you
should be even more attentive. It is not always illegal for motorists
to drive or park on them. Even when it is, you cannot depend on
drivers to do the right thing.
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As you approach the end of a marked cycle lane, beware
of large vehicles cutting back towards to the curb to use the
space you are about to cycle into.
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Don't forget that other cyclists might be just behind
you.
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Give other cyclists plenty of room. If you catch a cyclist up, be considerate. Don't hug the back wheel. Whilst you might not mind cycling in close formation, it is possible that the other cyclist will find it threatening and dangerous.
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Overtake other cyclists properly, in accordance with the provisions of the Highway Code
(see rules 162 - 169). In particular, check over your shoulder, give a clear signal whenever another road user needs to know that you are overtaking, and do not pull out if it might cause another vehicle to slow down or pull out suddenly to overtake
you as well, in a double-overtake. Be courteous to other road users.
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Listening to music or using a mobile whilst cycling is a bad
idea. It reduces your awareness of other road users and adversely
affects balance, reaction time and co-ordination. Leave your iPod behind. Read this article from the 'Sunday Times', November 2009:
'Beware, iPod Zombie Cyclists are on the rise'
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Never race in traffic. Racing is a dangerous distraction in an urban commuting situation. If someone tries to entice you into a race, hold back and let him or her go well ahead!
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Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) and buses may have to move over to the right before
turning left. Stay back and well-clear until they have completed the manoeuvre,
because the rear wheels follow a very different path to the front
ones.
See the Highway Code - rule 73.
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Use filter lanes, with appropriate looking, signalling
and moving out, as if you were a car. Being confident of your
route in advance is a great help.
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In wet weather, slow down and exercise greater caution. Your brake blocks will be less effective. Potholes can become submerged. If you need to pull out to pass a large puddle, look behind and signal clearly in plenty of time.
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Assert yourself intelligently. It’s your road
too and you have a right to be there. Pressing yourself too close
to parked cars, getting your wheel stuck in gratings or potholes
in your eagerness not to offend others might not be a safe bet.
Notice the hazard(s) with time to spare, look behind, signal if
necessary and pull out well ahead of the problem with due regard
to other road users. Let other people know what you are planning
to do.
Sam Saunders, with contributions from James Craig, Sue Hamelman,
Stephen Jackson and Rob Johnson.
Updated November 2010.
Take care on roundabouts! A cyclist braves la Place de L'Etoile (Arc de Triomphe) in Paris:
....similarly la Place de la Bastille:
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