Two good reasons why cycling in the gutter is a bad idea!

We recently ran a “cyclist’s breakfast” event here in Barnstaple in conjunction with the council as part of International Car Free Day (http://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/). It was great to get to have a chat with lots of regular, and not-so-regular commuter cyclists.

However, as a cycling instructor I couldn’t help but notice the large number of people cycling part of their journey on the pavement and the rest of it cycling along in the gutter. To save them all getting an earful from me I thought I’d have my little rant here instead!

Firstly, unless a footpath is designated (with light blue signs) as a shared cycle/footpath then it is illegal to cycle in the pavement. Small children get away with it of course. Adults however, if they are unlucky, will come away with a fine.

Cycling in the gutter is an interesting one. I think it was taught years ago as part of the old Cycling Proficiency course that you should do your best to stay out of the way of cars. However, that course was designed at a time when traffic density levels were much lower than they are today and in fact the rules of the road regarding cycling have also changed over time. Many adults take this position on the road (and tell their children to do the same) as they think they will be safer cycling right up close to the pavement. Sadly though, this is a big misapprehension.

So, reason No. 1 why you should not cycle in the gutter.

One of the biggest hazards to road cyclists is from vehicles from behind passing them too closely. Finding yourself wedged between the side of a moving vehicle and the kerb is a very unpleasant experience and frankly downright dangerous. The driver might not notice their wing mirror knocking you off balance but you’ll be all too aware of your wheel being crushed – or perhaps your leg. The solution to this is very simple – cycle further out! If you cycle about a metre/yard out from the kerb at all times any vehicle approaching from behind will, on an average-sized road, need to overtake you on the other side of the road. Moreover, if a vehicle still comes too close alongside, you have some space to come in to rather than be immediately buffered-up against the kerb. Indeed a vehicle from behind may have to wait a second or two for the traffic on the other side to clear but so be it, you have equal right to be on the road and safe.

Which brings me on to reason No. 2! The most common type of road accidents involving cyclists in the UK occur at junctions where the cyclist is passing a side road. Usually the driver coming out of the side road either doesn’t see the cyclist at all or sees them too late to stop. Cycling in the gutter while passing a side road can and does have fatal consequences. On junctions where vision around the corner is impaired and a cyclist is cycling in the gutter the driver will be left with less than a second to see and respond to the cyclist before they reach the lines of the junction. Even if they do successfully stop their vehicle, the bonnet would already be over the lines and in the path of the cyclist. The answer to this is simple – yes, you’ve guessed it – cycle further out! In fact for passing a side road the best place for a cyclist to be is in the middle of their lane. This gives them maximum visibility into the side road and therefore also to drivers coming out of the side road. You are positioned now exactly where a car would be – drivers from the side road can’t help but see you. It also has the additional benefit of ensuring you don’t get wedged between traffic overtaking you from behind and traffic coming out of the side road. It’s all so simple when you think about it! So, as you get near a side road, check there is no-one right behind you and then pull out to the middle of your lane. Look into the side road and if possible make eye-contact with the driver (to be doubly sure they have seen you) and stay out until you have passed the junction before coming back to your position a metre away from the kerb.

There you are, my little rant is over! Hope this gives you some food for thought and – happy cycling!