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Cycle safety

 

About three quarters of all cycling deaths are caused by head injuries which could easily be prevented by correctly fitted bicycle helmets.

Correct helmet fit

Incorrect helmet fit

Safety tips:

1. Check inside the helmet for safety standards sticker.
2. Fit your helmet properly - try to slide the helmet back, forward and side to side - ensuring that the helmet stays centrally fitted over the head and does not expose the forehead.
3. Wear your helmet every time you go cycling.
4. Encourage friends and family to wear their helmets when cycling.

Reminders

• Helmets are a secondary safety measure: they do not prevent collisions and should not be seen as a substitute for proper cycle safety training.
• Have your helmet fitted correctly: a loose or poorly fitted helmet is like pulling a seatbelt across your lap but not buckling it in.

Hand signals for cyclists

You must give a hand signal at least three seconds before stopping or turning.

• When turning, look back at least 20 metres to check that there is room for you to turn, pull out or pass safely.
• Don't assume that drivers have seen you signal - always check to make sure your hand signals have been seen and understood.

I want to turn right or I'm going to pass a vehicle (or some other object on the road) or I'm pulling out from the kerb.

Your bike must have:

1. A rear-facing red or yellow reflector.
2. Good brakes on the front and back wheels, or, if the bike was made before 1988, a good brake on the back wheel.
3. If riding at night, dusk or pre-dawn:
   • A steady or flashing rear-facing red light that can be seen at night from 100 metres.
4. A steady white or yellow forward-facing light that can be seen at night from 100 metres.
5. Yellow pedal reflectors or reflective cycling gear.

NB: White lights must be forward facing, red or orange lights must be rear facing.

What motorists would like cyclists to know

• A bicycle is a vehicle. Motorists expect cyclists to obey the road rules.
• Motorists usually travel faster than cyclists, and therefore have less time to react to hazards. Remember this when you're on the road.
• Motorists can feel delayed by cyclists.
• Certain types of cyclist behaviour can unsettle motorists, for example, when cyclists appear hesitant or change direction suddenly.
• Motorists and cyclists both have a right to use our roads, and both share a responsibility to understand and respect each other's needs.

Cycling on footpaths

According to the New Zealand Road Code, cyclists are only allowed on footpaths if they are delivering newspapers, mail or leaflets.

Some people believe that cycling on footpaths is safer than cycling on roads. However, one significant danger that arises from cycling on footpaths is the risk of being hit by a car pulling out of a driveway.

Even though it is not recommended to cycle on footpaths, anyone who does should be very careful and follow some simple guidelines:

• take care when approaching each and every driveway or corner – drivers are not usually expecting anyone to be moving faster than a pedestrian.
• take care when approaching each and every pedestrian – slow down, give them lots of space, pass with caution and respect.

Pre-bike ride checklist

There are four pre-ride items that need to be checked each time you get on your bike:

1. wear bright clothing and reflective gear
2. helmet fitted properly
3. tyres pumped
4. front and rear brakes work

Updated November 2008