How to cycle safely at road junctions | Cycling UK
Vložit
- čas přidán 12. 06. 2019
- Cycling UK has produced a series of easily accessible video guides on maintenance and road safety. In this guide, we cover basic road positioning and how to tackle junctions safely.
Did you know more than 70% of collisions involving a bike happen at, or near, a junction?
That's why we've produced a video guide to take you through the most common types of junction and how to negotiate them safely.
You should position yourself at least an arm's length away from the kerb - although when cycling past parked car's keep an arm's length away from the vehicles in case a car unexpectedly opens in your path.
And when approaching an obstruction or narrowing in the road, take a more central position and always check over your right shoulder before moving to check it is safe to do so.
What this video covers:
• Passing simple junctions
• Turning right from a major to a minor road
• Turning left from a major to a minor road
• Turning left from a minor to a major road
• Turning right from a major to a minor road
This video has been produced as a series of five instructional guides covering road positioning and bike maintenance. We've also put together five written guides, designed to be downloaded on your phone for reference, covering the M-check, puncture repair, brake and gear adjustments, the essential tools you need and repairing a broken chain.
www.cyclinguk.org/article/roa...
•
Check out the Cycling UK website for more wheelie handy advice and the latest news: www.cyclinguk.org/
•
FACEBOOK: / cyclinguk
TWITTER: / wearecyclinguk
INSTAGRAM: / wearecyclinguk
STRAVA: / strava
LINKEDIN: / cyclinguk
TIKTOK: / cyclinguk
•
Thanks so much for watching. Please subscribe to our channel, like this video and share it with your pedalling pals. Happy cycling!
Has this video helped you cycle with more confidence on road? Let us know in the comments ⬇
Yes was good but hope you reply to some of the comments as they are quite good. Thanks for the Video.
Yes.
INSURANCE if on road tossers
just near get run down by a juy, wear all the `gear` no light no horn so fuck off, next time see and on pavement will hit out as a `yawn`
Sorry but I am not going to position myself on the road to encourage drivers to cut the corner. If they have to go round the corner the proper way, good. My own road is curved at the end, drivers that cut the corner can hit oncoming traffic that they won't have seen. Otherwise this is excellent
I’m impressed by how good the advice from cycling uk is. By real cyclists for real cyclists.
thank you, im honestly terrified. Im practicing cycling at night for now so I can get used to it before I go through any busy roads in the day time. Wish me luck
I’m doing minor roads with some major roads.. in smaller increments
As someone who's just moved to the UK and is looking forward to getting her first bike to commute and cycling around the city, this video was incredibly useful and packed with clear information. Thank you!
Exactly 💯
Oh man. Thank you. I was going to hit multiple vehicles today. Bought my first bicycle and i was riding on it back to home.
Ayo same, i was on a main road with my first cycle at the age of 13, my dad bought me the cycle and he went on bike and i went on cycle on main roads and almost crashed 2 times
I do all these things ... cars still get annoyed as they believe they own the road
thats because riding arms length from curve blocks faster car traffic. what we need is dedicated cycle track along all main routes.
jogga singh teidy I’m sure we have bicycle lanes this is why I’m confused with the whole arms length thing
@@sarahhhhhhhh569
Exmouth to Exeter 70% shared path 30% road.
Ammanford to Llanelli 95% road 4% shared path 1% cycle path.
@CZcamsLoser the lack of sex and the urgency to go home and beat their meat is the problem
@@ronloc3309 I’m weak
translation - try to do the right thing, expect drivers to hit you anyway
Simple, take the entire lane. If a driver hassles you punch them square in the face. If you're a bit weak, use your bike lock for maximum impact.
I did the thing you asked me too but the cops put me in jail so I punched them too now I'm a world renowned criminal
I hate having to make right turns! (I’m in Ireland so they drive on the left like the uk) Sometimes I go the long way to my destination just to avoid taking the right turn
You do have the right to take as much space as possible while turning or waiting to turn, it prevents cars from trying to overtake you when turning right.
@@steve00alt70 best avoided in Ireland due the the vast number of drink drivers in that country.
@@georgebarnes8163
VERY GOOD INFORMATION FOR NEW COMERS IN UK
I am back on the saddle and on my bike after 46 years. I felt no fear. The roads and cars did not bother me as I am competent on the road and I do signal and I stop at traffic lights. The only concern I have are damaged roads. I did a cycle proficiency test when I was at school in 1971. After the first 10 minutes on my new bike I felt no nerves and I was straight back on the roads. All I did was to get my balance back on the bike. Then...hey presto!!!! I was off and riding. All that you need is common road sense and confidence. And always be fully aware of other road users. Then you will have nothing to fear. All this is how I combat my own battles with mental health. By cycling. Enjoy and have fun on the roads. Watch out for those pot holes. Happy Riding!!!!
This inspires confidence within me, thank you
The damaged roads are one of my concerns too. The city i commute too is awful in that regard. It's not always appropriate to swerve to avoid a pot hole.
Good video. One area of disagreement: always signal a turn even if you do not see traffic because a car may appear that you did not see when you checked. Be safe not sorry.
I wish it was like the Netherlands, they’ve got a specific lane for bikes!!!
They have here too, but they are death traps!
I feel so awkward making traffic stop behind be just to turn right :D
If you were a car, they'd have to stop anyway and wait. But I know what you mean. Keep peddling, ride safe. 👍😎🍺
It's your right to use the road. Car losers can wait
@@ollieb9875 A peddler is somebody who sells stuff you mean pedaling
@@davidmunro2077 well.. pedalling in proper English yes that's what I meant. 👍😅
I’m a motorist and I don’t mind waiting behind a cyclist at all! So don’t feel bad. It’s only a percentage of motorists that make a bad name for the rest, just like there is a small group of cyclists (that run red lights) that make a bad name for cyclists.
Cracking good advice. The positioning and behaviour recommended is what other drivers would expect and follows the same rules as other users
But:
Just about every 'cycling facility' teaches the exact opposite. They teach us to hug the curb for as long as possible and then behave in an unpredictable way.
Great video! Only thing obvious that is missing is how to go from how to cross a major road in straight forward direction (minor road to minor road)!
i'd normally give up and use the pedestrian crossing.
This is most useful video on how to cycle in traffic! Thank you, now I’m not afraid to try it!
One thing I have noticed through time on the road ; if I use good cycle lights IN THE DAYTIME ( especially if it is dull or through roads with lots of varying shade, due to trees ) the cars often drive WIDER past me.
Just something I have noticed.
Interesting insight thanks
Also I put mine on flashing mode
Sorry but DRLs DO NOT WORK. pushing more onus onto the vulnerable does not work for more safety. DRLs do not work for cyclists nor motorists to improve safety, your cognative bias/anecdote doesn't equal any evidence I'm afraid.
Oh and said by someone who used to do the DRL thing back in the 90s both as a driver of a car and on a cycle.
@@ikilleduku Flashing mode is not just annoying but distracting, it can also blind if your lights are particularly bright, worse so at night. As a long time cyclist (40 years) flashing lights on bikes is a real bane, they should be banned in all honesty. it doesn't improve your safety one iota!
@@ynotnilknarf39as long as you make sure to dip your lights and not point straight then flashing isn't an issue.
I see too many cyclists with powerful lights aimed upwards which is very distracting and dangerous.
Today I was going to hit a car 🚗 at the junction . I had the worst feeling ever at that time . Thank you so much for this
We are in India....If you wait on the road ...Someone is going to ram a vehicle over you 😂
@@shantirakhoyaar634 in india your whole ride is luck based
@@rohithbaliga absolutely 😌
Excellent Clear and Informative Video...Thank You Very Much 👍
Rally helpful. thank you. x
So helpful thank u.
It feels weird having to relearn how to bike, since the way we do it in Denmark is so different from the UK. I also think it's far more safe in Denmark, since we have our own large bikelanes where the cars do not drive
Spot on very good
I am a new rider. Thanks for informations.
At about 1:45 you've got a cyclists stopping near the centre to turn right. His position is such that he'll probably have vehicles from behind him squeezing past on his left as well as vehicles from in front passing close on his right. This leaves him trapped between two lots of moving vehicles, both of which will likely be too close to him. If it was me I'd be a bit further to my left, so there's not space for vehicles from behind me to pass on my left - let them wait until I've turned right.
You have a point although it's hard to tell from the camera angle how close the traffic is passing on both sides. Motorbike instructors talk about the "command" position where you sit dead center of the lane. I use this at traffic lights, roundabouts and narrow roads when turning right to discourage dangerous undertaking and give yourself more space. Kudos to the video makers for saying that you can take the center position
Cars arnt allowed to overtake on the left tho if its a one lane
That's an excellent way to get shouted and honked at in London. I prefer to just go to the left and wait for traffic to clear, it might take longer, but at least it saves me from the anxiety of being swore at. I admire confident cyclists like you!
@@maanceto2 wow, my experience when being stuck in lot of moving traffic in peak hours... similar to yours.
I assume this gets worse when the individual (cyclist in this case) is suffering from Aspergers or ADHD, or some sort of hearing or sight disability.
I admire the confidence as well. Something to aspire to.
@@maanceto2 Rather get shouted and honked at than smashed into at 30mph from behind ffs! And it's usually a few seconds at best in any case, if motorists don't have the patience to wait in exchange for the ssafety of a human being, maybe we should be removing those people instead of forcing vulnerable road users to be even more vulnerable as the poster suggests having two lots of motors coming past you in either direction!
Turning at junctions is always terrifying, you have to trust people are paying attention if not you could be hit
This was so much help thanks i am just 12 yrs old and wanted to go to my tution myself....thanks
It would be useful to make one video on roundabouts.
avoid big ones
@@leenevin8451 straight up. Too many possibilities imo
If you use roundabouts correctly you've nothing to worry about. Happy cycling!! Just signal and you'll be okay.
If you read the highway code, and correct me if I'm wrong, a driver should expect a cyclist to turn right from the left hand lane. That is to say, follow the outside of the roundabout until reaching your exit. Now, in my view this is to reliant on drivers to understand what your intentions might be. On smaller roundabouts I'd take the central position of the lane a car would be in. 🤔
@@darrylashton8428 apart from tragic death
Can you some tips to make tyre stronger it quickly get weak
Even with a hundred times more traffic, I felt more safe riding in Dhaka than in UK. No one honks there. Here the car dudes behave like they own the road.
How to take a u-turn?
Is it allowed to drive in pedestrian walking path?
Very helpful info, thank you. Still I think arm length distance is too much as it blocks cars traffic, most roads in the UK are too narrow.
This is to prevent unsafe overtakes, as far as I'm aware a car should, legally speaking, give you the same space when overtaking as they would another car, if they can only over take by being half way between each lane they shouldn't overtake.
They didn't used to be, but imbecile car manufacturers have made their vehicles bloated like fat pigs on wheels and take up too much room.
It's part of cycling defensively - if you are too close to the curb people will attempt right overtakes which can squeeze you into the curb, which makes for a dangerous situation.
does it have disk brakes
use Hi Vis Vest cheap as not glamorous but makes you more visible to motorists..
Very good video- clear advice for navigating junctions. Although making eye contact with drivers is a bit of a stretch.
Also it’s really poor that half the cyclists in the video don’t have helmets on! It’s basically a death wish on UK roads. And preferable to have lights on your bike too!
cycling in Canterbury after watching this
Do you need any sort of license to ride a bike in the UK
Smart Roadster spotted at 2:34
As long as i am "an arms length away from the curb" everything will be fine
Basically under your arm there is all the drains, holes, glass, bits of shoes and things to avoid 😁
What about on a 4-lane road?
If the four lanes are narrow (e.g Bassett Avenue in Southampton) then take a central position in the left-hand lane. If the lanes are wider then a position closer to the curb is less risky. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking or turning right.
This bike was really easy to assemble czcams.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.
Can I use side mirrors on the bike instead of looking over the shoulder?
Both motorbike and car driving instructors recommend you look over your shoulder and don't just rely on mirrors. You can see more of the road by looking this way. The difficulty is that looking over your shoulder can unbalance the bicycle but the benefit is that you can see much more than a mirror. I would personally find a mirror more distracting than a help and prefer to direct my attention to looking out for pot holes and other hazards.
Who tf has side mirrors on a pushbike? 😂
side mirror on a bike tend to be small and jiggle about too much, its better to do quick glance over shoulder at least. The mirrors do help let you know if someone is coming up quick
@@andrewsampton Me I have a mirror on my right-hand side and I find it invaluable , not everyone finds it easy to look over their shoulder. Try it you might be surprised at how useful a mirror can be.
@@only4strings Mirrors are best as you can see oncoming traffic the same as you see in a car {be aware of your surroundings don't just look at the almost last moment to make a turn or pass} I look over my shoulder knowing there is traffic there and how close they are and look over my shoulder when I have to overtake, change lanes etc the same as you do in your car for the blind spot you look over your shoulder. Various mirrors are available for different bars.
Ride safe guys, dont forget to wear a helmet, this could save your life
Oh push off with the helmet nonsense, it does not and cannot by design 'save your life', this rank disninformation!!
Helmets not only don't make you safer it actually makes cyclist LESS safe, cyclists take greater risks, those around you take greater risks because you and they think you are more protected, and the helmets cannot prevent brain injury nor death, even the manufacturers never make those claims!
All the world peer reviewed evidence including for professional cycle racing proves this. helmets in sports makes sport LESS safe, boxing, Ice hockey, cricket, caneoing, skiing, ALL have worse outcomes since helmets were mandated! Oh and the biggest helmet fail, American football, millions of makes having CTE problems despite wearing helmets!
I do more simpler one stop cycling and walk past then cycle again
Mirrors are the only safe way to be aware of your surroundings as you can identify vehicles coming from behind. eg. buses, trucks, vans taxi's cars which may try to pass you in a tight spot or double pass. You are also be aware of the line they are travelling in before they get to you. Try tapeing over your car interior mirror and see how unaware of your surrounding you are but Check over your right shoulder to ensure it is safe to do so when turning or overtaking. I won't ride without a mirror only common sense to me but people don't wan't to have bells on their bikes either..??
No they aren't, they end u being more distracting as cyclists look in their mirrors/behind them more when fitted than observing ahead. And having a kirror doesn't prevent the other party from doing what they are doing in any case, if you are constantly looking in your mirror for traffic behind you would be veering off toward the gutter every few seconds, this is utterly ridiculous.
the only useful aspect for having a mirror on a cycle is if you have a mobility problem and cannot turn your head.
I've ridden over 200,000 miles over 40 years and never had a mirror, like most normal cyclists, a mirror does not improve yoursafety and pushing onus onto the vulnerable to change what they do instead of the actions of those presenting the harm just reeks of failure as history as proven.
this video should be renamed as "patient car drivers, cyclists have no choice,"
Generally helpful but a few places where you don't describe what to do in the non-optimal situations.
When there's a car behind you, should you move over and let them overtake?
I'd recommend reading the highway code. The guidelines are that you should allow faster vehicles to pass by moving to the left when it is safe to do so. On narrow roads or roads with cars parked where you'd have to move into the doorzone, or at pinch points etc, then you should maintain primary position in the centre of the lane. The car needs 1.5m clearance to pass you, if you cannot safely position yourself to allow that much room then you should maintain primary position so as not to encourage a close pass by moving to the left when there is not sufficient space.
@@jiayojames Thanks
I intentionally do my best to avoid making eye contact with motorists. I try to be aware of all the vehicles around me but, once I make eye contact, I have effectively told the driver that I am aware of their presence. In many cases they take this as permission to cut me up or behave badly, safe in the knowledge that I will stop or take alternative evasive action.
By not making eye contact, I keep them guessing as to whether I am aware of their presence or not. It then becomes their responsibility to avoid me.
Bit stupid that , best make the eye contact so everyone knows whats going on ..to avoid eye contact is abit childish ..maybe safer for you to stay off the road.
@@sachablake6894 As I explained, it works for me. Your opinion may be that it's stupid, but that won't stop it working 😂
one guy without a helmet -?? I have been cycling for years and today someone tried to undertake me whilst i was taking a right turn at a junction and tarffic lights no idea why he couldnt have waited - also saw a chap in a van on his mobile same day
A split helmet is better than a split skull. Rider position on the road can also make you safer. By taking the center position on a narrow road that driver wouldn't have enough space to undertake you. Close passes are always terrifying but I am glad the problem is getting more recognition.
Just don't give a car room to pass. It seems perfectly natural to me to dominate a junction if I already there.
the thing is people should have respect for cyclists, as they are trying to make this planet a greener place by decreasing the carbon footprint. but all they get is disrespect and people make it unsafe for them to ride. I am riding bicycle from the past 18 years in India, and am still afraid to go on junctions, or whenever i have to take a right turn(we have to keep left in India) because all the time i have to be on left because of being the slowest vehicle on road and while making a right turn, i have to literally wait for all the straight going vehicles to go and when i see no straight going vehicle(sometimes after 5-10 minutes), then only i can take a right turn. similar is the situation with a u turn. anyways, nothing matches a bicycle if one has found an inner route to their commute place(i had found one with just two junctions and followed it on my 3 km home to work and work to home) routine. the good thing is noone can stop a cyclist for not having valid papers, insurance or even a driving license. Also, upper hand when crossing a road, i need not go 1 km and take the u-turn like the cars, just pick my bike and cross the road straight away. if you see the traffic is not going to free for an hour or so, just put ur bike on footpath and walk slowly with the pedestrians(i dont think anyone is unsafe by someone waling with a few kgs bike 4km/hr). Also, we need not slow down that much on a speed braker. I am currently owning a mountain bike so not a problem off-roading. concluding, the situations are different in different countries for cyclists. I guess in Amsterdam it will be better as most people use bicycles there. In India, I would have to hear a lot of honking and might hear some abuses if i ride a bicycle in mid of a busy road in front of a car. And highway, I will never ever dare to try, because i know its hugely unsafe to ride in between trucks, cars, motorbikes(even those are unsafe) cruising at an average 100km/hr and even worse at night with no light situation.
I've seen traffic in India Tinny and I understand.......
I am Indian 🇮🇳
Altivelty have bike lanes
Best advice, if you live near an Amazoon depot, sell your bike and move house!
Why isn't everyone wearing a helmet in the videos!
because it's not compulsory
Take the lane
Cycling UK how come you don't answer members letters 🤨🙄
Don't be a member. Vote with your wallet dude, if they aren't doing what is needed then don't give them money.
i fell over :(
Shocked to see one of your demonstators not wearing a helmet
way..its not compulsory or necessary
Useful video but I don't think that showing cyclists riding on busy roads whilst not wearing a helmet is a good idea.
1:45 "allow traffic to flow past on your left" IF IT IS SAFE to do so, not if there is space, 'space ' for a motorist does not equal safe, please rephrase this commentary.
The example of taking a central position is a bit moot as there are parked vehicles on the left so motorists cannot pass in any case no matter where you are positioned! You'd have been better off having the person position themselves centrally to stop vehicles squeezing on the nearside without using parked cars as the 'blocker'
Thank you ,your video is helpful. Can you let me add subscriptions on this video? I want to share this to my friends in Taiwan. Thanks a lot.
Anyone wanna cycle up??? I am kinda nervous to ride cycle alone
Yesterday I saw a roundabout and parked my cycle on the footpath and crossed using the pedestrian crossing to be safe
someone show ashely the learner driver this
it's irrelevant now as it is advised to always take the primary position and NOT keeping to the left side
who told you that false information? no-one is advised to take primary position at all times. You really should read up on the highway code.
Do that and you'll just get hate..
Centre left always unless it's unsafe to do so.
@@georgebarnes8163 i always take the primary position as it keeps drivers back and it forces them to go slow
@@ElectronicPleasure i always take the primary position as it keeps drivers back and it forces them to go slow
@@KofelinaPL I take primary when I know an overtake from behind would be too close and dangerous.
Good video , but perhaps the actors should all have been wearing helmets , ?, it just encourages their use
If they weren't used as a scapegoat for other people's expediency.
yaar hindi me he bata dete
Dutch people laughing at this.
Why would you. This isn't Holland. Cyclists in the UK have to deal with roads that are very hostile. 😕
First road safety video without helmets! 🤦♂️
It is a common misconception that cycling with a helmet is safer.
We're doing fine without them in the Netherlands.
helmets actually make it more dangerous.
studies show cars take more risks around you. it's even more safer to go without one if you're a woman/girl, because the same studies show cars take more risks around male riders.
so a woman without a helmet is 4times as safe as a male with a helmet.
@@ThePostalGril this is an incomplete assessment of the data. You not only have to account for increases in risk taking by drivers which may be dangerous to cyclists, but also the impact of helmet wearing on the severity of injuries sustained in collisions. Put simply, you are better off getting in 6 collisions that don’t kill you because you were wearing a helmet, than 1 collision that does kill you because you weren’t wearing a helmet.
Just googled the stats and 70% of cyclist fatalities involve head injuries. Every study I can find also suggests helmets significantly reduce the severity of head injuries.
Ergo you are probably less likely to die wearing a helmet. It’s possible you’re more likely to be non fatally injured, but at least you’ll have a chance at learning to live with it
If a person wants to retain (or perhaps even acquire) the lower risk advantage for visibly feminine-presenting cyclists - they would probably get the same effect from wearing a more visibly feminine helmet and outfit. I think “pink helmet with floral pattern” would probably communicate “woman” more unambiguously than “person with long hair” would to most drivers, but I could be wrong
I simply stop, stand safely on the kerb until the car has passed. As a driver myself who has now fallen in love with cycling, I still worry about how unsafe it is to allow cyclists on a main road. If truth be told, cyclists should be on the kerb not the road especially major busy roads. Anyway, I love cycling, and feel safer riding on off road locations than on the roads where there are so many unpredictable variables and lots of drivers and of course cyclists who don't have any awarenesses of safety. The law needs to change to allow cyclists use kerbs/paths if it is of a certain width. UK roads and laws are not very cycling friendly
I feel so awkward cycling through red lights and zebra crossings that i feel im being targeted and persicuted. Only the other day I was cycling on dual carriageway with my 5 kids in the trailer and some inconsiderate motorist toothed his horn at me because I would not pull over to the inside lane. These motorists really don't understand the plight of a cyclist and our desire to get from A to B while not giving a fuck.
Infuriating music!
If they you the roads they should have to pay tax and road like everyone else and I think it shit when they can damage your car they don't need to give a shit and the sure be force yo take test same as everyone else as most have no roads sense its a mazing how they can run red like and not give a shit and we should not be held responsible if with hit them for being do stupid
Cyclists and pedestrians pay as much for the roads as anyone else does, they also pay for the motorways they are not allowed to use. 83% of UK cyclists hold a UK driving licence which is about the same percentage of motorists who hold a UK driving licence.
@@georgebarnes8163 you need to calm down son, we all pay taxes. Watch yer self, or you'll be early for your heart attack - be less stressed
@@krysaratt Drop the methadone Kid, I can hear your mummy calling you.
Eye contact with drivers or riders in India will do no good😄 cyclists are not considered as human beings on Indian roads
I STRONGLY think that cyclists should adhere to exactly the same law as any motor vehicle. Or get off the roads
Impossible, you can't be a cyclist that cycles on the road or you'd know this.
@@ElectronicPleasure THEY SHOULD FOLLOW THE SAME LAW AS MOTOR VEHICLES OR G E T O F F !!!!!!!!!
I am a cyclist and the road users I hate the most are...other cyclists.
The LAWS of the road are for EVERYONE, not just motor vehicles and I get tired of seeing irresponsible/arrogant cyclists jumping red lights, hopping onto pavements to avoid a red light then hopping off the other side, etc...
if your the only one at the lights, sometimes they dont change, they have sensors on some that wont detect a cycle. so lights stay red. until a car comes. but i understand what your saying. i drive a van , i am not bothered if a cycle goes on pavement, then crosses, that way. as long as it safe why not. but riding past red lights is dangerous.
Is there really anything wrong with going off the pavements?
Red lights are meant for the road not for pavements.right?
@@wellcubed9626 That's right u gotta stay off the pavements. No cycling on them allowed
"how to be a nuisance to tax-paying road users and get yourself run over" should be video title. why are you telling people to be a complete menace to road users cycling in front of them and stuff? dangerous!
Because it's even more dangerous to stick to the curb and encourage risky overtakes. Cycling in the middle, especially when you're going to need to change direction, is often safest as cars won't try to cut off your path.
Or better still,see sense and become a car driver like a proper grown up.