Cycle training
Haven't ridden your bike for a while? Never ridden a bike before in your life? If you need a little support in getting started, then one of the following schemes could be just what you're looking for!
If you want to learn to ride a bike or brush up on your cycling skills, Cycling Solutions has friendly, experienced, professional trainers who will devise a course tailored to your needs, to help you cycle more. You can also have training as a family. To arrange the time and place that's best for you, just call Helen on 0151 234 9484 or text 07797805460.
If you have ever wondered how to repair a puncture or change your gear cable, maintenance training could be for you! The sessions will be hands on, so you can then make safety checks on your own bike, and make any adjustments or small repairs yourself. To arrange your session, call Helen at Cycling Solutions on 0151 234 9484 or email info@cyclingsolutions.co.uk to find out more.
Your local cycle shop will also be happy to advice you on which bike suits you best and what equipment you may need. Find your nearest cycle shop on the Liverpool Cycle Map.
If your employer has a travel plan and has joined the Wise Moves Club, you can get a discount on cycles and cycle equipment at participating cycle shops by showing your staff identity card. More information is on the TravelWise website.
Learning to ride a bicycle in traffic can be a daunting experience: What route is best? How do I overtake? What do I do at a roundabout? Confident and experienced cyclists ride assertively and defensively, taking their place on the road. When cyclists act like vehicles they are treated as such by other road users.
Ride Assertively
Assertive cycling means taking your proper place on the road and making positive, clear movements. Cycle well out from the kerb: you're more visible, you've got room to manoeuvre and you're not encouraging motorists to overtake too closely. When turning right or using a roundabout, position yourself much as you would in a car, using any turning lanes to the full.
Ride Defensively
Defensive cycling means being aware of what is going on around you all the time. Assume that everyone else is going to do the unexpected - that a car door will open in your way, the car overtaking you will turn left across your path, the cyclist at the next turning will pull out in front of you and the pedestrian ahead will wander into the cycle track. Decide as you ride what you will do to avoid any potential incident.
Be Seen
Aim to be seen by other road users and make eye contact with drivers waiting to pull out. Wear a helmet and reflective strips or bright clothing. Be aware that most collisions happen at junctions. Long vehicles cut across corners when turning, so never overtake them on the inside when approaching a junction. When using a shared-use pavement, watch for pedestrians and be especially careful when crossing side-roads.
Follow the rules
It goes without saying that you must obey traffic law. If cyclists don't obey the law then how can you expect motorists to do so?
- Don't ride on the pavement, except where blue cycle signs indicate that you may
- Obey traffic signals and one-way streets
- Use lights at night. You are less visible without them