Health & Safety at Innisfree Wheelers
At Innisfree Wheelers we pride ourselves on maintaining high standards on the subject of Health & Safety. Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club touring rides are designed for riders looking for an enjoyable ride at a more comfortable pace. If you’re thinking of starting cycling as a sport for the first time, or you’re unsure of your ability, the touring rides offer a perfect opportunity to get a taste for the sport in a safe environment. Below, we have listed a number of rules that our club adheres to at all Innisfree Wheelers events. They stem from obeying traffic lights to cycling on steep hills and also shed some light on the rules of cycling tracks.
Rules Of The Road
- You must obey the rules applying at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, pelican crossings and zebra crossings. It is important to keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gears. You should always keep both feet on the pedals, make sure you keep to the left and always look behind and give the proper signal before moving off, changing lanes or making a turn.
- Do not take up a position on the ‘inside’ of a large vehicle which is out of view of the driver. Instead, stay behind if the large vehicle has stopped at a junction with the intention of turning left.
- When turning left, keep close to the left-hand side of the road and watch out for pedestrians.
- When turning right, get into the left side of the right-turning lane, look behind and give the proper signal before you move out and ensure traffic in that lane is not going straight ahead.
- On steep hills or busy roads, pull into the left-hand side of the road and wait until there is a break in traffic in both directions to let you make a turn safely.
- When cycling alongside traffic stopped in line, be aware of gaps in the traffic to allow other vehicles to turn across the stationary lane. The view of the car that is turning may be blocked due to the traffic build-up.
- In poor weather conditions, it may be safer to dismount and cross the roadway on foot. Where available, you should use a pedestrian or controlled crossing. Wear reflective clothing at all times.
Cycle Tracks
A cycle track or lane is a reserved part of a roadway for bicycles (not motorcycles) and can be either: mandatory, or non-mandatory. It is important to be aware of both types of cycling tracks to ensure high health & safety standards. A cycle track can also be a reserved part of a footpath or other area off the road. A cyclist must use a cycle track if it is provided. If a cycle track is two-way, meaning bicycles travelling in opposite directions at the same time can use it, cyclists should stay as near as possible to the left-hand side of their track.
Mandatory Cycle Tracks
A mandatory cycle track is bordered by a continuous white line on the right-hand side. It is only for bicycles and motorized wheelchairs, so no other drivers may use it or park in it. Mandatory cycle tracks are reserved 24 hours a day unless an upright information sign at the start of and/or the side of the track shows another period of time.
Non Mandatory Cycle Tracks
A non-mandatory cycle track has broken white lines on the right-hand side. The cyclist may leave this type of cycle track if they have already indicated they want to change direction, a bus is letting passengers on or off at a bus stop located beside the track, or a vehicle is parked in the track while loading or unloading.
Conclusion
As was already stated, Innisfree Wheeler’s club leaders pride ourselves on maintaining high standards of Health & Safety. By highlighting the information above on the rules of the road and also on the subject of cycling tracks we believe it is a good step to maintaining these standards and educating our members.