Cycling in Manchester

There are sensible measures you can take to increase your visible presence on the road and promote safer and more enjoyable cycling.

During daylight hours wear items that stand out - fluorescent items create a very bright effect.

In darkness wear items that reflect light from vehicle headlamps - reflective items are most effective.

Below is a list of things for cyclists to consider:

Roadworthiness
Your cycle should be kept in a roadworthy and lawful condition if being used - in particular it is mandatory that bike brakes work efficiently.

It is recommended that your bike is inspected by a qualified cycle mechanic at regular intervals.

Cycle Lights
A multitude of lighting products are available some of which are shown below:

• Battery (integral) Powered Filament Bulb Lights - 'Traditional' bike lights.
• Battery Pack Powered Lights - Generally more powerful than traditional bike lights but requiring a separate battery pack (Lead Acid, NiCad, Li-Ion or NiMH) to be attached to the bike.
• Light Emitting Diodes (LED) - Increasingly popular over the last decade due to reliability, compactness and long battery life.
• Dynamos - Popular on the continent - these do not require batteries as they are powered by the movement of the bike. Modern dynamo lights may remain illuminated for a period of time after the bike has stopped (eg at a junction) which is a useful safety feature.

Lighting Regulations
During the hours of darkness you will need front and rear lights (remember to check that they meet British Standard requirements).

Nowadays LED (Light emitting diode) lights are legal and popular for their robustness and long battery life. The law was changed in 2005 to permit the use of flashing bike lights.

If going on a long ride pack some spare batteries just in case.

Between sunset and sunrise cyclists must comply with Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations.

The fine details of the regulations are rarely enforced by the police but may be considered important legally if there is a crash/collision/incident.

Here is a summary of the UK requirements:

• Front Lamp - One white light is required - positioned centrally or offside, facing forwards - up to 150cm from the ground. If using a constant light it must conform to the relevant British Standard which is BS6102/6103. If a flashing light is used it must emit at least 4 candela.
• Rear Lamp - One red light is required, positioned centrally or offside between 35cm and 150cm from the ground, and visible from behind. Non-flashing lights must conform to BS3648 or BS6102/3 (or an equivalent EC standard). Flashing lights must emit at least 4 candela.
• Rear Reflector - All bikes must have a British Standard (BS6102/2) red rear reflector fitted even in daylight hours. It should be facing the rear and positioned between 35cm and 150 cm off the ground.
• Pedal Reflectors - Four are required (2 per pedal) and should conform to 856102/2 - applies to cycles purchased post 1 October 1985.

Helmets
Wearing of helmets is not mandatory in the UK for pedal cyclists and although they do afford some protection it remains a personal choice as to whether one is worn.

If buying a helmet ensure that it fits snugly - it should not be able to move side to side or from back to front when worn.

Get advice from your cycle retailer on the best type/model/size for you. Ensure that the helmet displays the "CE" mark (EC approved) or one of the following:

• BS6863 Kitemark
• SNELL Foundation sticker
• ANSI (ANSI Z 90.4) sticker
• AS (AS2063) sticker

All the above indicate that the helmet is of a high quality.

If you squash, scratch or knock your helmet it should be replaced as soon as it is damaged.

Never buy second-hand cycle helmets - they may have been damaged and weakened (this is not always clear from a visual inspection).

Clothing Safety
There is no mandatory code for cycle clothing but it is advisable to wear brightly coloured clothing, particularly after dusk or in poor visibility.

Wearing normal clothes is fine but a few bright items will improve your visibility.

Various hi-visibility ankle bands/belts/vests are available from cycle retailers and further aid visibility -

• A hi-visibility vest (tabard) can be slipped over your normal clothes and folded away completely after use. These cost between £5 and £20.
• A hi-visibility reflective over the shoulder belt will make you easier to spot.
• Reflective/bright cycle clips for your ankles are another great idea.

If you invest in a cycling jacket (ideally fluorescent) with reflective trim such as Scotchlite, if possible buy a breathable material jacket. They are more expensive (£50 upwards) but have a greater degree of breathability and will prevent your cycling jacket from becoming like a personal sauna on warm days or on longer rides.

Clothing layers are good for cycling as you can add or remove clothes as appropriate.

Avoid jeans or very loose fitting clothes (eg Floaty skirts).

Gloves
Fingerless gloves are available and ideal for spring/autumn use. Windproof gloves are ideal for winter use.

Footwear
Trainers will suffice for day-to-day use but you may wish to look at shoes with firm soles or special cycling shoes for regular use. You can purchase weatherproof covers to put over your footwear when cycling in inclement conditions.

Bells
Bells are not mandatory in the UK but are a useful aid to making other road/path users aware of your presence (especially other cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders).

Cycle Security
Around one in four of all stolen bikes are left unsecured.

Lock it or lose it - even if just leaving the bike unattended for two minutes!

Most thieves are opportunists and may see a badly secured bike and take it because it is easy to do so.

Weekdays are the worst time for thefts, and most bikes stolen from people's homes are taken from the garden.

Below is a quick security checklist to keep your bike(s) safe.

• Always securely lock your bike when you leave it. If it is in a shed at home lock it on to something fixed to the ground.
• Lock the frame and preferably both wheels to the stand using a security device such as a D-shaped shackle lock.
• Don't leave your bike in an isolated place and remove items such as lights, and quick release wheels and saddles.
• Security mark your bike. Take photos of your bike and record details and bike serial number. You can register your number at http://www.immobilise.com/ - a free national police registration database.
• Check if your house insurance covers your bike when away from home, and also whether the total value of the bike is covered. If your bike is particularly valuable you may need to insure it separately. See http://www.bikeforall.net/ for recommended insurers.
• If your bike is stolen report it immediately. You can call Greater Manchester Police direct on 0161 872 5050 or call at your local police station.
• If you suspect someone in your area is trading stolen bikes call Greater Manchester Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111 or contact your local Trading Standards Office on 0161 234 1555.

There are four main types of cycle locks available:

• Cable Locks - Cheaper locks have a basic cable construction whilst the better (more expensive ones) have 'braided' cable construction. These locks can be light and flexible but do not offer a high degree of protection.
• Chain Locks - As with Cable Locks these are flexible but offer more security for longer periods. The drawback is that they are considerably heavier.
• Shackle Locks (aka 'D' or 'U' locks) - Shackle locks are one of the most secure types of lock available for bikes. They consist of a U-shaped round bar, the ends of which fit into the mechanism housing. Double mechanism locks are more secure than single mechanism. Shackle locks can be quite heavy and lack the flexibility of chain/cable locks.
• Loop Locks (Immobilisers) - Loop locks attach directly to your bike frame. To lock the bike the locking bar is drawn through the spokes into the opposite side of the lock. These locks are useful for short term use to deter opportunist thieves.

The information above is intended for guidance only

Links

• http://www.soldsecure.com/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/Cyclists/index.htm
http://www.whycycle.co.uk/