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Regulatory signs marking the start of a cycleway, or an adjoining footpath and cycleway

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Direction sign showing the route for cyclists

If there is a cycle lane, or an adjacent cycleway beside the roadway, you must ride on it and not on any other part of the roadway.

If there is a footpath and a cycleway side by side, you must ride on the cycleway only. Look out for any pedestrians, particularly young children, who may step or run onto the cycleway without looking.

When riding on cycleways, you must follow the rules and advice that apply to you on normal roads. Cycleways are also roads but motor vehicles are generally not permitted to enter and use cycleways.

Keep to the left of the cycleway and allow other cyclists to pass you on the right. Overtake only on the right.

Look out for pedestrians on or crossing the cycleway, or persons working or carrying out other activities near the cycleway. They may not see or hear you coming. Always give way to pedestrians.

Ride only in the direction indicated by traffic signs and road markings. If the backs of the traffic signs are facing you, you are probably riding the wrong way. On a two-way cycleway, keep to the left.

Be aware of vehicles at road crossings with cycleway, and prepared to stop or give way to other cyclists at junctions with other cycleways.

Riding on steep down ramps

It is potentially dangerous to travel down steep gradients (often found at cycle subways and bridges) at excessively high speed. Riding too fast down a steep ramp can cause a loss of control or even a crash, especially under inappropriate braking. Take great care and dismount if necessary. Be especially alert at:

  • a long steep downhill ramp combined with a sharp bend at the bottom
  • an intersection within a subway
  • a long steep scissor-type down-ramp
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The following signs advise cyclists to dismount as there are potential conflicts or hazards ahead.

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End of cycleway

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An 'End' traffic sign or road marking may indicate the end of a cycleway. You have to join or return to the normal road and ride with other traffic. Be prepared to join traffic on the normal road. Look over your shoulder and wait for a safe gap in the traffic.

Crossing roads

A cycle route may cross a road with traffic, where drivers may not be alert and prepared for cyclists.

You should get off your cycle and push your cycle across the road, and follow the advice on Road Crossing Code given in Chapter 2 for pedestrians; but allow yourself more time and room to push and handle your cycle safely.

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Regulatory sign indicating that you must get off your cycle and push it across the road by using a pedestrian crossing.

Crossing light rail tracks

A cycle route may cross a light rail track. Where it does so, you must get off your cycle and push it across the tracks using the 'Green man' crossing at a designated crossing point. You must obey the traffic lights for pedestrians. Do not cross until the steady 'Green man' shows.

 

illustration
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This regulatory traffic sign or the concerned road marking indicates which side must be used by cyclists and which side must be used by pedestrians. No other road users are permitted.

Pushing your cycle

You may find it necessary or desirable to get off and push your cycle along, particularly if the traffic conditions are such that you do not feel safe to ride with the traffic or you may find it difficult to do so.

If you push your cycle along, do keep proper control of your cycle by pushing your cycle with both hands on the handlebars and use the brakes as necessary.

If you are pushing your cycle along the road, keep as close to the side of the road as possible and keep your cycle between you and the traffic. Follow the rules and advice as if you are riding on the road.

If you are pushing your cycle on the pedestrian crossing, pavement, verge or footpath, follow the rules and advice for pedestrians given in Chapter 2, particularly the advice given on page 21 for pedestrians with handcarts or trolleys.

Cycle parking

Road SignThe rules and advice for the parking of vehicles generally apply to cycles. On a road with street lighting, you may only park your cycle in a parking place designated for pedal cycles. However, no cycle should be continually parked at the same parking place for more than 24 hours.

 

Road SignIf you want to have a temporary stop, such as to take a rest, you may leave your cycle on a pavement, footpath or verge for a short period, provided that this would not cause any obstruction to pedestrians, would not cause any danger, for example by forcing pedestrians to step onto the road, and does not make it more difficult for others to see clearly.

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