RED STOP LIGHTS, BELLS AND FOOTWAY CYCLING
Please remember that every cyclist is an ambassador for cycling. Detailed legal questions can be answered by the CTC.
Red lights mean STOP
Red lights apply to bike riders as well as cars. Not only do you put yourself at risk, you can endanger pedestrians and cause a car accident. Please don't give cyclists a bad name by breaking the law.
CHING-A-CHING, OR TINK-TINK?
It is a legal requirement that all new bikes are sold with bells. CCC advises all cyclists to keep a bell on a new bike or fit a bell on an older bike. Note that, legally, your voice is sufficient audible warning of approach. Bells can be a mixed blessing: some pedestrians on shared use paths expect you to have one, while others think it means 'Get out of the way'. We recommend deciding in each case if you need a loud Ching-a-Ching, or a Tink-Tink! A 'Thank You' as you pass usually goes down well.
FOOTWAY CYCLING, AND HOW TO ARGUE AGAINST A TICKET
CCC frowns on cycling on the footway, which is the pavement beside a road. We believe all adult cyclists should feel confident in using the road and seek the relevant training to enable this. For details about training in Colchester, contact Richard Monk, Cycling Champions Co-ordinator, or Cycle Training East
Successive generations of British transport planners have not provided a suitable environment for bicycle riders - one that is safe and perceived to be safe - and that is why you should join CCC's campaign for safer roads. We believe roads will be made safer with lower speed limits, less traffic, and the introduction of strict liability which reverses the onus for proving civil law fault in a collision. At present, a cyclist, pedestrian or horse rider has to bring a case against a motorist; CCC believes the motorist should have to bring the case against the cyclist or pedestrian.
However, the fact remains that footway cycling is illegal and is subject to a £30 on-the-spot fine.
