Think of cyclists as your slightly slower soul brother; your ally in the fight for recognition on the roads. Like you, they are generally pretty aware of road dangers. Yet unlike you, they don’t have mirrors, they can’t accelerate in the way you can, and they might not stop as quickly (particularly if they are wearing cleats that lock their feet onto the pedals).
Good etiquette
Patience, some planning and common courtesy are the keys to safely sharing the road with cyclists (and motorists too, for that matter).
Be wary, and:
- Look for cyclists on the road
- When passing, slow down, give cyclists a wide berth (at least 1.5m) and avoid using your horn
- When moving or turning left watch for cyclists on your left
- Watch for cyclists overtaking on your left in slow-moving traffic
- Wait for any cyclist ahead to clear the intersection before you turn - do not turn across their path
- Dip your headlights as you would for motorists
- Only drive across cycle lanes when entering or leaving side roads, driveways or parking spaces
- If you are crossing a cycle lane, give way to cyclists before you cross
- Take extra care around young cyclists
Remember
Cyclists may veer away from the kerb or occupy a lane to:
- Avoid drains, potholes or roadside rubbish
- Be seen as they come up to intersections with side roads
- Discourage drivers from squeezing past where it's too narrow
- Cyclists turning right need extra consideration, especially on multi-laned roads with fast-moving traffic
