We want you to enjoy your Electric Bike and to be safe.

Please take a moment to read through these safety tips

Equipment:

Keep your bike maintained and adjusted correctly, with particular emphasis on brakes and tyres      (click here to find out how)

Have good lights and reflectors

Wear Bright clothing, or a Hi Visibility Jacket or both.

Wear a helmet

Fit a rear view mirror.

Fit Indicators and signal clearly.

Bicycling Techniques:

Obey the rules of the road as if you were driving a car -- stop at stop signs and red lights, and signal before turning or changing lanes.

Let other road users know what you are about to do.

Be extremely cautious when travelling through intersections. Be aware of traffic around you, and be prepared to brake.

Avoid travelling along the side of cars when passing through intersections -- they may turn in front of you without warning.

When riding, use extreme caution when passing parked cars, as occupants may not see you when opening doors or pulling out of parking spaces.

Remember, your bicycle is a small, inconspicuous vehicle. It is not easily seen on crowded streets and will seldom attract attention on its own. At all times, do everything you can to make sure you are noticed.

Your bike

Always buy the best bike you can afford - cheap and cheerful bikes may need more frequent checks, and may be harder to ride

Do a regular check of the following:

Brakes - are they working efficiently and evenly?

Wheels - are they in line and have no kinks or bends?

Tyres - are they hard enough to give you a comfortable ride and have no punctures or damage that may cause a blow out while you're riding.

Forks - are they straight?  Twisted forks will affect the handling of your bike.

Lights - are they working properly?  It's not much fun having cars get really close because they didn't see you until the last minute.

Check all moving parts and apply a drop or two of oil so you're not in danger of moving parts drying out and ceasing up at a critical moment.

Your kit

Buy a good helmet and wear it every time you ride your bike.

Wear a Hi Viz Jacket especially at night.

When you travel by bicycle think about your clothes - ensure there's nothing trailing, flapping trouser legs or anything that will impede your movement if you have to hop off or stop.  No flowing skirts that can wrap round your legs and stop you dismounting properly; no wide-leg trousers that catch on the pedals.

Wear appropriate clothes for the weather - cycling when soaking wet will distract your attention; cycling in bright sunshine without sunglasses or some means of shade over your eyes can result in you not seeing hazards.

Don't load bags onto your bike without the proper carriers, trailing straps can get caught and shopping dangling from the handlebars may put you off balance and will reduce your ability to manoeuvre. Use either a backpack, a basket on the front or proper cycle panniers.

Yourself

Read the Highway Code - it applies to all road users. Though you don't have to pass a 'driving test' to ride a bike, if you know the rules of the road, you'll be less likely to put yourself in a hazardous situation.

Join a Cycle Safety group or find a Cycling proficiency centre where you can check out your skills and improve your confidence when using your bike.

Enjoy your bicycle - if you are confident, and knowledgeable about riding your bike, and use the roads safely with a well equipped bike, you are far less likely to have an accident.