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Cyclists

Advice for cyclists to keep you safe, whether on the road, or in the great outdoors!

health_and_safety

Safety

Helmets
Always wear a cycle helmet that is correctly fitted, secured and conforms to current safety standards. Avoid buying a second-hand helmet that might be damaged or previously involved in an accident.

Wearing a helmet won’t prevent a crash but it will protect your head, significantly reducing the risk of fatal or serious injury.

Be Bright, Be Seen
Wearing bright clothing, preferably something fluorescent and reflective when cycling, will help other road users to see you.

It’s illegal to cycle at night without lights. Ensure you have the appropriate lights and reflectors on your bike and that they are in good working order. Test your lights before setting off on each ride.

Further Training
There are lots of initial and further training courses available for cyclists in the West Midlands. Bike Right offer cycling skills tuition, maintenance courses and facilitate led rides.

Bike Radar Logo
BikeRadar UK provides some great safety videos on how to look after, service and maintain your bike.

We’ve linked to some of the key ones here:

Safety check an adult’s bike
Safety check a child’s bike
Plan your first road ride
How to fix punctures, brakes and gears
BSL Video

Other related safety topics

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E-scooters, hoverboards and similar devices
E-scooters, hoverboards, motorised unicycles and similar devices like Segways can only be used on private land. Find out how to use and maintain them safely.
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E-bikes
Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes, are motor-assisted pedal cycles that look similar to conventional bicycles. Follow our guidance on using and charging them safely.
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Pedestrians
Our pedestrian safety gives tips, particularly for parents, on how to keep you and your child safe when on foot.
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Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
Discover essential safety tips for handling and charging lithium-ion batteries in your household devices. Learn how to prevent fires and ensure safe use with our comprehensive guide.
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Tyre safety
The depth of tread on your tyres is critical when it comes to accelerating, braking, steering and cornering – especially when the roads are wet.
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Child car seats
There are laws and guidelines around child car seats which you should follow to stay safe.