Road Safety GB considers cycling to be a healthy and environmentally friendly form of transport. We recognise also that cyclists have the same road user rights as all other road users.

This has been correctly recognised in the recent revisions (January 2022) to the Highway Code relating to the hierarchy of road users. These changes mean that quicker or heavier modes of travel will have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others on the road.

Also substantial investment from The Government has been put in place for active travel schemes that will make it easier and cheaper for people to choose active and green ways of getting around (of which cycling is one) while better connecting communities.

It is therefore crucial that more people are encouraged to take up cycling, however this must be done is as safely as possible. Road Safety GB members, usually based in local councils, are responsible for promoting and publicising cycling safety and most of them provide education, training and information to cyclists of all ages. Details of the local contact can be found here.

Road Safety GB would like to see all cyclists have the opportunity to receive appropriate training before riding on the roads.

Road Safety GB would also support the requirement for all adult cyclists (aged 16 and over) who ride on the public highway to have appropriate public liability insurance, either through their home insurance or separate insurance cover.

Cycle helmets
Considerable debate has taken place over the years on the benefits of cycle helmet wearing, wearing a cycle helmet is a personal choice. Wearing a helmet will not reduce the chances of being in a crash. The function of a cycle helmet is to prevent and reduce the severity of injury to a cyclist’s head in the event of impact with an object such as the carriageway, kerb or a vehicle.

Various studies have found that in countries where helmet wearing has been made compulsory levels of cycling fell. Other studies have indicated that risk taking behaviour amongst cyclists increases when wearing a helmet. [1]

Road Safety GB strongly encourage all cyclists to wear an approved cycle helmet to provide added protection in the event of a fall or crash. Consideration should also be given to the use of other appropriate complimentary safety measures such as high-visibility materials on their bike and clothing to enhance the ability of others to see them.

Cyclists should also ride a well-maintained bike with the required lights used at the appropriate times and follow the advice given in the current Highway Code.

Road Safety GB encourages Government to scientifically investigate the value of cyclist helmets in terms of injury severity reduction and the affect that compulsory helmet wearing could bring in the long term.

We also support the need for compulsory training in preparation for purposeful cycling on the public highway (i.e. not for off-road play), where those riding on the road at least complete an appropriate basic cyclist training course.

[1] Cycling UK  – RSGB conference 2019