The rules about what you can and can't do when cycling are not quite as ingrained in us as the rules about what you can and can't do driving.
You don't have to take a test in order to ride a bike after all.
But there are several things that you can't actually do when riding a bike. Some of these things could even be against the law.
There are also a few things you can do on your bike that you might have thought were illegal.
We've pulled together 7 such things that it might surprise you to know about your bike.
1. Legal: Riding without a helmet
As hard as it is to believe, it is actually perfectly legal to ride without a helmet.
The Highway Code does encourage cyclists to wear one.
Rule 59 reads: “Cyclists should wear a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened.”
However, this is not a legal obligation.
Other suggestions included in The Highway Code include light-coloured fluorescent clothing and clothing that won’t get tangled in the bike chain.
2. Illegal: Ride on footpaths
The Highway Code rule 64 reads: “You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.” It then cites two laws that enforce this.
The rules around cycling on footpaths are somewhat confusing however.
Cyclists cannot cycle on footpaths away from the road. They will only commit an offence, however, where local by-laws or traffic regulation orders create such an offence.
3. Legal: Ride two a breast
An issue such as this recently sparked a heated debate after a video of cyclists on a charity cycle ride in Minehead emerged.
Questions were raised over how they were spaced out on the road.
Riding two a breast is perfectly legal. Riding any more than two a breast would be illegal, however.
Rule 66 of the Highway Code states: “You should never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends.”
4. Illegal: Cycle across zebra crossings
When you approach a zebra crossing you should dismount and walk across it. As you would when you encounter a footpath.
Highway Code rule 79 states: “Do not ride across equestrian crossings, as they are for horse riders only. Do not ride across a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing. Dismount and wheel your cycle across.”
5. Legal: Ride in the middle of the road
You’d think this one would be illegal. Cars need plenty of space to be able to overtake you after all.
This isn’t described in the Highway Code but the Bikeability training programme as produced by British Cycling does outline the rule.
There are two positions a cyclist can use. The primary position and the secondary position. Normally cyclists should cycle in the secondary position, around 30cm to 1m from the kerb.
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Occasionally, however, if the road is small or the cyclist needs to avoid parked cars, you can cycle in the primary position which is in the centre of the lane.
This will also help you get noticed by other road users.
6. Illegal: Give your friend a ride
You can carry children around on the back of your bike in a bike seat. So why can’t you give you friend a ride too?
Well, rule 68 of The Highway Code states that you “must not carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one.”
So letting you friend ride on the seat while you balance on the pedals is not going to fly I’m afraid.
7. Illegal: Ride around drunk
You’d be forgiven for thinking you could only drink and drive when driving a motorised vehicle.
Not so.
It is illegal to ride a bike on a road or other public place while unfit through alcohol or drugs. This means that if you’re unable to have full control over your bike you’d considered not fit to ride it.
Alcohol could cause you to ride in a dangerous fashion and put others at risk. Cycling after drinking can impair balance, reaction times and judgment. It could be just as dangerous to you as to pedestrians and other road users.
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