DORSET CYCLISTS' NETWORK

DORSET CYCLISTS' NETWORK
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DCN policy is made by the County Committee under Constitution paras 8 and 9.
Additions and amendments can be proposed by a DCN member
through any Branch or the Secretariat
The policies below were approved by the DCN County Committee on 4 October 2006
SAFETY ADVICE
Cyclists can help themselves to be safe
The idea that cycling is not safe puts some people off cycling, but despite the risk of accident, cyclists can generally expect to live longer than less active people thanks to the health and fitness benefits that regular cycling brings. It is nevertheless true that roads in Britain, which have been designed almost exclusively for motor traffic, can be dangerous for the inexperienced cyclist. Here are some tips on how to cycle safely on today's roads
Maintain your bike well. Learn to do safety checks and servicing yourself, and take your bike to a cycle shop for more difficult maintenance and repairs. (Contact DCN for details of our free cycle clinics at school fetes, police station open days etc.)
Be assertive and maintain a good position in the road, well out from the kerb and giving a wide berth to parked cars. Think ahead, and get into the right lane early, not at the last moment
Wear bright or fluorescent clothing
Take extra care in the rain and in poor light
Use front and rear lights. These are a legal requirement after dark
Observe the Highway Code. This also helps the reputation of cycling in general
Use cycle lanes and advanced stop lines where possible
Do not creep up the nearside of stationary traffic unless you are certain you are visible and no one is going to turn left
Fit a bell or other warning instrument and use it to alert pedestrians to your presence
Encourage children to do a cycling proficiency course
Get off and walk if you are not confident about a difficult junction
Don't be aggressive or try to cycle too fast
Helmets are recommended for children under 12 and they must be correctly fitted. They give limited protection to adults, but do not remove the need to observe all the points above
Do not attempt to retaliate when drivers have put you in danger. This can lead to a fatality.
Learn cycling techniques by reading “Cyclecraft” and “How to be a Better Cyclist”
How  drivers can help
Motorists can improve road safety for themselves and cyclists by if they
Keep within speed limits and drive smoothly
Think Bike: expect to see cyclists, and take care, especially where the presence of cyclists is indicated by triangular warning signs
Give cyclists at least a car's width, never try to squeeze past when the road ahead is not fully visible, and slow down for cyclists where necessary
Expect cyclists to wobble especially in windy weather or change direction suddenly because of a bad road surface not easily visible to drivers
Signal with the left indicator when leaving roundabouts
Do not overtake cyclists if you intend to turn left soon after - or right in a one-way street
Remember that right-turning cyclists need space and time
Park considerately, and check for cyclists before opening a car door
Dip headlights at night for cyclists as well as motorists

CYCLING ON THE FOOTWAY
 1. DCN deplores the behaviour of cyclists who ride dangerously and without consideration for others, whether on foot, on bikes, or in cars. We support concerted police action against riding without lights and with ineffective brakes.
 2. Riding dangerously is the issue, regardless of whether it is on a footway. DCN believes that if you can be absolutely sure there is no danger to pedestrians, it is sometimes safer to ride on the footway than on the road

SHARED USE OF PATHS & CYCLE FACILITIES
DCN believes the proper place for cyclists is on the carriageway, and that the safety of cyclists on the carriageway should always be an important planning consideration. However, separate cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes, cycle lanes and toucan crossings can be convenient in appropriate cases, and may be felt to be safer by less confident cyclists. The Highway Code makes it clear that it is not compulsory for cyclists to use these facilities (Rules 61 and 63)
BELLS
DCN strongly recommends that cycles should have a warning instrument fitted at all times and use it to warn pedestrians of their approach especially on shared paths and tracks.

ACCIDENT LIABILITY
DCN welcomes the EU proposal that liability for an accident between a motor vehicle and a cyclist should be presumed to fall on the motorist's insurance in the absence of evidence to the contrary. However, DCN believes that each accident should be dealt with on its merits and that cyclists should not escape criminal or civil liability if there is evidence of fault by them

HELMETS
DCN encourages cyclists, especially children, to use well-designed and properly fitted helmets at all times. They can reduce head injuries in minor collisions. However, we do not support the compulsory wearing of helmets by cyclists because this would cause a serious decline in utility cycling and increase car use
On 15 April 2004 DCN Committee agreed to support the National Cycling Strategy Board's policy on helmets

MOBILE PHONES
DCN supports strong enforcement against the use of mobile phones while driving

SPEEDING
DCN supports campaigns to reduce traffic speeds where justified by actual, potential or perceived danger

INSURANCE
DCN does not believe that cyclists should have compulsory 3rd party insurance as it would be likely to cause a serious decline in cycling, and increase car use especially for short journeys.
However, cyclists can protect themselves by insuring against 3rd party claims and theft. Cycle rescue is also available. See our more detailed advice on insurance