TIPS
- Cycling is the one of the best ways of commuting in cities. It is quick low cost, healthy and environmentally friendly.
- More cycliing will lead to less car congestion, reducing air pollution and improving the environment.
- Cycling in London has doubled over the last five years. Over half a million bicycle journeys are made every day in the capital.
- However, this equates to only 2% of all journeys compared with 30% in the Netherlands, 20% Denmark, and 12% Germany. Transport for London is working to increase cycling trips by more than 400 per cent by 2025, equivalent to five per cent of all journeys made in the capital.
- Half a million bicycles are stolen every year in the UK. This equates to one bicycle being stolen every minute, worth a total of £175 million per year.
- Bike theft is an ever-present problem. A quarter of cyclists have experienced theft. 1 in 4 people who have had their bicycle stoen give up cycling. Theft is therefore a great inhibitor to the growth of cycling.
- 70% of cyclists use ‘fly-parking’, where bicycles are locked to street furniture. However, three quarters of stolen bicycles were locked to railings or signposts.
- Buy a decent lock with ‘Sold Secure’ ratings.
- Use two different styles of lock such as a D-lock and a chain. Thieves often carry tools to defeat one type of lock.
- Lock your bicycle through the frame and both wheels.
- Check what you are locking to is secure and immovable.
- Lock the bike as tight as possible to make it hard to manoeuvre. Thieves can twist the bike against the lock to break it free.
- Don’t leave a gap when locking with a D-lock. A thief could insert a car jack to pop the lock.
- Make sure the chain or lock does not touch the ground. If they are, thieves can use a hammer and chisel to break it.
- Make your lock harder to pick by facing it downwards or away from the street.
- Don’t forget to remove lights, pumps and quick release saddles. Saddles can also be secured with a steel cable attached to your main lock.
- Don’t lock to cast iron railings, lock the bike through several rails.
- Avoid parking in quiet side streets. Lock your bike in a well-lit and visible location. Where possible store your bike indoors.
- Always wear a helmet – your head is fragile, think of it as an egg!
- Check your bike is working properly before you ride – it’s too late to realise your brakes don’t work when you are going downhill.
- Visibility – wear bright or reflective clothing to help drivers see you.
- Always ride with a front and rear light at night.
- Be alert – listening to music can be distracting and dangerous.
- Anticipate traffic turning at junctions. Don’t assume drivers can see you – try to make eye contact with the driver.
- Don’t ride close to parked cars – their doors can open anytime and send you flying
- Give buses and lorries space – never ride up their inside as they cannot see you and could turn anytime.
- Cycle at a safe speed – relax, what’s the rush?
- Don’t run a red light! Respect the highway code.
- Share the road – be a considerate cyclist, respect pedestrian and drivers.
