We’re not in the habit of teaching you or your granny how to suck eggs at Sprockets Cycles but we thought it might be useful tosummarise some of the most important UK rules for cyclists when on the roads.

The law is open to interpretation so this is in no way representative of the letter of it. For that you must visit The Highway Code rules for cyclists.

Lights and reflectors

Your bikemusthave white front and red rear lights lit at night and we have a range of top-quality front, rear and helmet lights in stock. It must also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85).

White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended by The Highway Code that cyclists riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.

Clothing

You should avoid clothing that may get tangled in the chain, or in a wheel or may obscure your lights when you are cycling - which might sound obvious but it's amazing how many people cycle with low-hanging garments tied around their waste.

Light-coloured or fluorescent clothing can help other road users to see you in daylight and poor light, while reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) can increase your visibility in the dark.

A Danish randomised trial involving 6,793 cyclists, published in scientific journalSafety Sciencein 2017 founda 47 per cent reduction in incidentsinvolving other road users where the cyclist was injured when cyclists were wearing a hi-vis jacket with reflective strips

Bike bells

Bike bells are not required by law in the UK, but it’s good to have one to give pedestrians polite and advance warning of you approaching rather than whizzing past. Shop our range of bike bells.

Bike helmets

Wearing a bike helmet while riding is not mandatory but the Highway code says that ‘you should wear a cycle helmet that conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened. Evidence suggests that a correctly fitted helmet will reduce your risk of sustaining a head injury in certain circumstances.’

Brakes

You must ensure that your brakes are ‘efficient’ and if you’re worried yours aren’t, please make an appointment at our Workshop today.

Cycling lanes

The use of cycle lanes is not compulsory. You may use a lane shared by bikes and pedestrians, but you must keep to the side intended for cyclists if it’s segregated . In these cases,take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room.

Slow down when necessary and let them know you are there by ringing your bell, or by calling out politely.

You can’t cycle on footpaths.

Bus Lanes

Most bus lanes may be used by cyclists as indicated on signs. Do not pass between the kerb and a bus when it is at a stop.

Traffic lights

You must not cross the stop line when the traffic lights are red and even if there's seemingly nobody around there might be someone that captures it on their phone ready to stick it up on TikTok. Some junctions have an advanced stop line for cyclists where you can wait ahead of other traffic.

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