The Necessity of Etiquette and Safety in Cycling 🚲

The Necessity of Etiquette and Safety in Cycling 🚲

Cycling, and the spaces to do it, are growing. Due to excellent advocacy work we’re seeing uptake in dedicated and shared cycle paths all over the country, and I use these first hand in York. There are dedicated cycle lanes, a cycle highway, cut throughs, and shared paths. But with the increase in what is sometimes poorly thought out routes with the environmental intentions, does there need to be a revisiting of how all cyclists convey etiquette. 

The meaning of etiquette

Those who ride road bikes on Sundays may think I’m talking about the etiquette associated with group riding; pointing out potholes, various hand signals, but no… this is something different. Cyclists, dog walkers, horse riders, and pedestrians are now sharing so much of the same space, and at all different speeds. They’ll be those out, as you would have in cars, for all reasons, but all with different speeds, manoeuverability, and awareness of the world around them. Joggers with headphones, parents with pushchairs, children on bikes. So I’m proposing the etiquette needs to be more explicit, particularly around shared spaces.

Here’s how I think cyclists can do their part.

Etiquette as a road user

I think this one is already reasonably well covered in the Highway Code, there are rules for the road, there are rules for bicycles (and for cars), and in theory if we all follow the code we should all stay safe. Of course the real world doesn’t work like that, weather changes, driver and rider ability changes. 

Here’s some assumptions I go out riding with:

• Car drivers will not judge my speed accurately, unlike in a car where your speed can be consistent, it’s generally your effort that is consistent on a bicycle so speed varies.
• Car drivers cannot see me, or judge their distance to me. 
• Car drivers do not want to give way to me because I am slower. 
• People will behave in a manner most convenient for them. 

So here’s a list of what we can try to do to change that:

• Dress visibly. Anything you can do to add to your visibility on a bike. Reflective, fluorescent, bright, and all over. But make it obvious you’re a human. 
• Have lights, always. Running lights isn’t just for day time. Having them fitted will better help drivers judge the distance to/from you, and encourage them to react with more time. 
• Ride assertively and calmly, 99.9% of us aren’t delivery riders, we don’t need to rush, don’t feel compelled to compromise safety for someone’s lateness. 
• Pull in and allow built traffic to pass if safe for you. An example of it not being safe would be cycling uphill on a busy fast road. You’ll never get moving again. 
• Give clear hand signals to indicate, practice riding with one hand if it helps. 
• Take earphones/headphones out and off. You’ll be more aware with your ears focused on your surroundings (even if it is the latest procycle mobile podcast. 

Etiquette in shared spaces

Etiquette in shared spaces if more nuanced, there’s greater variety, there’s a greater mix of speeds. I would start by saying “sending it" down shared paths is a tad irresponsible, speed is important on a bike, but safety of others needs to be high on your list. Pedestrians ultimately have the primary use of the space, and the general consensus is that cyclist should in fact give way to pedestrians. Some assumptions i make on shared paths:

• Pedestrians aren’t aware of me, or that they’re sharing the space with cyclists 
• Pedestrians aren’t aware of my speed, slow or fast
• Children, dogs, and even adults are unpredictable and will move in any direction 
• I do not own the path

Here’s some things I do to keep myself and others safe on shared paths:

• Mediate my speed, if I want to go fast I’ll go on the road.
• Make use of a bell, they come in all shapes and sizes, you really can get one to fit any bike. 
• Have my lights on, they’ll notice their shadow moving 
• Give other users plenty of time to react to me, ring the bell early, be aware of what’s ahead if I’m passing 
• Be polite, cheery, and always say thankyou. It brightens people’s day, and it sets a good

Here’s what I wouldn’t do

• Charge full speed down shared paths like it’s a race course 
• Speed closely pedestrians 
• Get right behind people walking and angrily ring my bell for them to move
• Shout or be abusive at those who are a little slow to move. 

If we all do our part, keep our lights on, ring our bells, and be nice to those not on bikes there’ll be a greater uptake of people cycling, and greater support for cycling in general. It is a privilege to access these spaces, but being mindful to share them is hugely important.