Cycling Code of Conduct: what are the positive behaviours that CCC members should follow?
Follow the Highway Code
And the Highway Code Revisions Jan 2022. This update was a major step forward for cyclist safety and it is well worth spending the time to familiarise yourself with its contents. The main new points for cyclists are explained here by the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, including:
Hierarchy of road users. For example:
- A cyclist turning into a side road must give way to a pedestrian crossing that road; similarly, a driver turning into a side road must give way to a cyclist going straight ahead across that road;
- No pavement cycling. When people cycle on the pavement or jump red lights. It gives cyclists a bad reputation and loses support for cycle infrastructure.
Bus Stop Bypasses and Shared Use Bus Boarders
Give Way at bus stop bypasses and SUBBs (Shared Use Bus Boarders) to pedestrians getting on and off buses. These are different designs for those situations where a protected cycle track has to pass a bus stop. The aim is to maintain the same high level of protection for cyclists even when a bus is at the stop.
Bus Stop Bypasses
Whenever there is sufficient room, a bus stop bypass is a good solution because it allows bus passengers to wait on an ‘island’ while cyclists ride round behind. The informal zebra markings indicate that people on cycles should give way to passengers crossing to the island.
Shared Use Bus Boarders
When there isn’t room for an island, the passengers wait on the footway and a section of the cycle track is marked as a Shared Use Bus Boarder. When there is a bus at the stop, cyclists should hold back and wait for the passengers getting on and off.
Don’t have the attitude “it is a cycle lane so I have right of way”!
Dockless Hire bikes
Dockless hire bikes are provided by Lime and Forest in Camden. Camden Council has removed car parking to provide bays throughout the borough for dockless hire bikes and e-scooters.
Ensure footpaths are kept clear (tidy bikes up that are parked badly or have been knocked over). Educate the youth.
See Lime Bike advice on parking here. Lime suggests ‘parking like your Gran is watching’. See here.
Cycle lanes
Hold your line
Avoid weaving about and last-second changes of direction. Use hand signals so others know your intentions. Be aware of other road & cycle track users, particularly those that come up behind you. Don’t be distracted. It is not a specific offence to cycle and use a mobile phone, but cyclists and e-bike riders can be prosecuted by the police for careless and dangerous cycling with maximum fines of £1,000 and £2,500 respectively.
Overtaking & queuing in cycle lanes
Be courteous and patient with other cycle lane users who are moving more slowly than you and slow down as needed when space is limited or if you cannot see clearly ahead.
Please be aware, especially of more vulnerable users such as older people, people with small children, people in wheelchairs, or the hearing or visually impaired.
Junctions
Pair up at junctions or spread the width of the ASL. Leave space for others to get to the front if you can. Don’t feel guilty or make others feel guilty. The general rule should be FIFO (first-in, first-out) unless there is loads of room.
Say ‘hi‘ at traffic lights. Wave at kids in cargo bikes. Give new riders the thumbs up for being awesome!
Pedestrian Crossings
Cyclists should always give way to pedestrians on crossings – zebra or with signals.
This rule has always been in the Highway Code and is now emphasised by the fact that pedestrians are above cyclists in the new road user hierarchy.
Shared use paths
The term shared-use path refers to a path that is intended to be used only by pedestrians and cyclists. The main examples in Camden are the three permitted paths on Hampstead Heath and the Regent’s Park Broadwalk.
Social distancing e.g. keep an arm’s length away. Give way to slower users and wheelchair users leaving them plenty of room. Max speed while overtaking, similar to a ‘fast runner’.
Ring a bell (whistle, sing or cough) well in advance if approaching people from behind but don’t assume they’ve heard you.
See advice from Sustrans here.
Canal Towpaths (Shared paths beside a canal)
The canal towpath section through Camden (between Regents Park and the entrance to the Islington canal tunnel) is almost always heavily used by pedestrians and we recommend not cycling on it. Many other London towpath sections are less crowded. See the Canal and River Trust Cycling FAQs.