Cycling along your local bike path is a lovely way to catch the scenery from a whole new perspective. It’s also great exercise! But, facing up to your suburb’s main road can be a little more daunting. Don’t worry though! There are plenty of ways to safely ride alongside cars. There are also plenty of cycling road safety rules in place to make sure your experience is a good one. So let’s take a look at a few of the most basic cycling road safety rules. These should get you cycling safely on the road in no time.

Cycling road rules are pretty similar to those for cars – so approach intersections in the same way

Before you despair at the thought of having to learn a whole new set of road rules, we have news for you! Cycling road rules are pretty much the same as car road rules. According to the law, both bikes and cars are considered vehicles for the purposes of road rules. This knowledge comes in handy every time you cycle on the road. But it is especially useful when you’re approaching intersections. Knowing who to give way to, when to go, and when to stop is vital. And all you need to do is follow the same rules you would in a car. The rest is easy!

Bikes are narrow, but it’s not worth trying to squeeze past moving cars – it’s also against cycling road rules

Even though bikes can fit just about anywhere, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. At the end of the day, cars can be unpredictable. So if you see a gap between moving vehicles and think you could make it through, think twice! Drivers may not always be able to see you, so ducking and weaving through slow moving traffic is never a good idea. All it takes is one mistake from one driver, and you can find yourself in an accident. Most of the time, you will have enough shoulder on the road to move safely at your own pace. So our advice, and one our best cycling road safety rules, is to ride wide and stick to your own pace.

Indicating is another cycling road safety rule and it will make your ride a lot safer!

Cycling on the road often means working with drivers to enjoy a safe experience. And one of the best ways to secure your safety is to clearly demonstrate where you’re going. That leads us to this cycling road safety rule: indicating! Indicating on a bike is simple; all you need to do is extend one arm in the direction you’re turning. This will allow drivers to safely navigate around you, or stop if necessary.

When it comes to cycling road safety, one of the best rules we have is wear a helmet!

Helmets: they cause a bit of controversy from time to time! And that’s mostly because, in Queensland, they’re compulsory. Although that may be a drag sometimes, it’s all about your safety. Most cyclists can attest to this too; even the most minor accidents can be catastrophic without a helmet. So stay safe and wear a helmet – you can avoid both a fine and an injury!

Cycling at night? If so, carry plenty of lights – that’s a vital and compulsory road safety rule

Finally, let’s talk about night cycling: it’s relaxing, cool, and a great way to keep fit. But it has one notable hazard – visibility. At night, cyclists are even less visible than normal. Luckily, the fix is easy and it’s also a cycling road safety rule that we always abide by: lights! Just like a car, you should have a bright red light at your rear, so traffic can see you from behind. You should also have a bright white light in front, so you can see hazards and hazards can see you!
For great cycling road safety accessories, contact us today.