Safety and security

Cycling safety tips

• Watch for opening car doors of parked cars.
• Stay back from large vehicles.
• Give walkers time to gather in children and get dogs under control.
• Carry a pump and puncture repair kit and good quality lock.
• Make sure your bike has a bell.
• Catch the drivers eye when crossing junctions to ensure they have seen you.
• When cycling on the road look ahead for hazards such as potholes and parked vehicles.
• Cyclists are advised to ride in the centre of lanes on quieter roads, at junctions and in slower moving traffic.
• Give pedestrians priority at junctions.

For more information about how to stay safe when out on your bike visit the Highway code for cyclists.

Maintenance 

• Check daily that your lights and reflectors are still working and clean and bright, brakes are efficient and gears are working correctly.
• Every week ensure tyres are correctly inflated and the chain is properly adjusted and lubricated.
• Clean your bike monthly with a bike specific cleaning product.
• Check every six months that all fixtures are secure e.g. handlebars, saddle, wheels, pannier rack, lights, etc. If there is movement clean off any dirt, oil the moving parts and tighten these up.

Driver safety tips 

• Drivers must give priority to pedestrians, cyclists and people on horseback.
• Do not cut across cyclists or horse riders. Drivers and motorbike riders should not cut across cyclists or horse riders when they are turning into or out of a junction.
• Assess if you need to overtake. If you do, be prepared to wait behind for a safe opportunity to overtake. Drivers must give cyclists at least 1.5m space when overtaking.
• Give cyclists extra space when going up or down hills.
• Check carefully at side roads.
• Always check over your shoulder once parked before opening car doors.
• Allow more space for cyclists in wet and windy conditions, in bright sunlight and at night.
• Expect to see cyclists 0.5 metres away from the kerb.
• Drivers must expect respect the rules of the road, including indicating, speed limits and traffic lights.

For more information on how to drive or ride a motorbike safely, visit Gov.uk: The Highway Code.

Do you know about the Highway Code changes protecting pedestrians, cyclists & people on horseback?

Changes to the Highway Code Transcript (PDF, 90.1kb)

Following changes to the Highway Code last year, we are working with RoadSafetyGB North East to make sure the residents of County Durham are familiar with the changes.

Rules for all types of road users have been updated in The Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses. Those road users most at risk in the event of a collision are now being given higher priority, although it is still everyone's responsibility to behave responsibly.

It's important that all road users:

• are aware of The Highway Code
• are considerate to other road users
• understand their responsibility for the safety of others

In total, 10 sections of The Highway Code have been updated, with 50 rules being added or updated. You can find a summary of all the changes in the Gov.uk: Highway Code updates.

Security

For information about bike marking schemes, how to lock your bike and how to keep it safe, visit Pedal safe - lock it or lose it.

If your organisation or local shop, church, community centre needs some cycle parking please visit ParkThatBike.