The rules of the road: cycling rules and laws explained

As far as UK cycling law goes, the only equipment that’s an absolute must when road cycling is:

•    White front and red rear lights that must be lit between sunset and sunrise.

•    A clean red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors (wearing reflective ankle bands at night is a good alternative if you use clipless pedals). 

•    Efficient front and rear braking systems.

All other Highway Code guidance regarding equipment is just that: guidance. But while there’s no legal obligation to comply, a lot of it makes good safety sense. For example:

•    Wear a well-fitting helmet (although this looks set to become mandatory).

•    Wear comfortable clothes that won’t get tangled in the chain.

•    Wear reflective clothing at night. 

•    Check your bike is safe to go before you ride. We’re talking tyre pressure, brakes, bolts, chain and controls.  

•    Consider fitting your bike with a bell. 

There are a few Highway Code no-no’s that could see you landing a hefty fine or even imprisonment. Keep yourself in the right by following these rules:

•    Traffic lights and signs apply to all road users. 

•    Cycling on a pavement next to a road is technically an offence, although police have been advised to use their discretion, especially when it comes to younger cyclists.   

•    Cycling whilst unfit through drink or drugs (that includes some painkillers) carries a fine of up to £1,000. There's no set legal limit, but if in doubt, don’t risk it. 

•    Cycling carelessly carries a maximum of fine £1,000, while cycling dangerously can see you fined up to £2,500. And while we love the thrill of carrying speed on our bikes, if you cycle too fast for the conditions, you could be charged with cycling ‘furiously’ and fined up to £1,000. Cause injury to somebody while doing so and you could even face up to two years in prison.

•    Unless you’re riding a bicycle made for two, it’s an offence to give someone a backie on your bike. 

•    And it should probably go without saying but hanging onto a moving vehicle ‘without reasonable cause’ while riding your bike is also an offence. 

When you’re new to cycling on the road, it can be tempting to hug the kerb as tightly as possible. But it’s actually far safer to ride assertively in the primary position

What is the primary position?

This is riding in the centre of the lane. The primary position is an important position to adopt as it prevents cars from overtaking in unsafe places, as well as making you more visible to traffic. 

The primary position is particularly important when riding along a street lined with parked cars – you’ll need a wide berth to avoid any car doors that may open in front of you.

What is the secondary position?

This is a position far closer to the left-hand side of the lane (approximately 1m). When you do choose to adopt this position, make sure you always leave enough room to avoid drain covers, kerbside rubbish and other potential hazards.

Key point: you have exactly the same rights to use the roads as drivers do. Never forget that.
 

Eye contact, hand signals and bells can all help to alert pedestrians and drivers of your presence and/or intentions. 

Road awareness is a vital skill for cyclists. This means being alert to potential hazards from potholes to footballs and anticipating situations where you might need to brake or swerve quickly. If you anticipate well, then little should come as a surprise.  

One particularly dangerous situation to avoid is undertaking vehicles - especially large ones - ahead of a junction. Many accidents happen when cyclists move into a vehicle’s blind spot before that vehicle turns left. If you see a lorry or bus swinging out to the right, assume it is about to swing back to turn left and give it plenty of space.   

Learning to cycle as a group takes a bit of getting used to, but the rewards can be well worth it, keeping you safe from cars and other vehicles, as well as making your riding more efficient and aerodynamic.

Learning to draft (riding close behind another rider) can conserve up to 40% of your energy, helping you enjoy longer and more interesting rides – although be prepared to take to the helm and lead the group at some point – everyone has to put in a shift!

Here are a few of our top tips:

•    It can be scary to ride closely behind another cyclist when you’re first starting out, so begin by maintaining a distance of around three feet (enough to still feel the benefit of drafting) and gradually reducing the distance as your confidence grows. 

•    Avoid any sudden braking or turning when riding as a group, the more notice you can give other riders of your intentions, the slimmer the chances of a pile-up. 

•    Similarly, keep an eye out for hand signals and warnings from your fellow riders

•    Can you ride two abreast? Riding two or more cyclists abreast has been the subject of some confusion, so let’s clear things up a bit. The Highway Code recommends that you should not ride more than two abreast, but to do so would not be illegal. 

•    When it comes to ‘singling out’ after riding two abreast, the Highway Code again simply makes the recommendation that cyclists should ride single file on narrow roads or when going around corners. We say never feel pressured to move to single file when it’s not safe to do so, just because cars are waiting to overtake – safety should always be the number one factor. 

There are some fantastic courses out there if you want to develop your cycling skills. The government-approved Bikeability scheme offers courses at three award levels to suit all abilities. They’re a great way to learn the skills you need to ride confidently on modern roads. 

Joining a local cycling club is another great way to boost your road cycling skills, while the social side to club riding can really help you stay motivated. 

And of course, going on some inclusive guided rides during your Neilson activity holiday will provide you with plenty of chances to learn from our expert bike team!