Cycling is safer than you think

Wearing a brightly coloured cycling vest and other high visibility clothing is important for safety.

Very few cyclists get injured on the road and about half of all cycle injuries are in off-road situations.

Research shows that the health benefits of cycling out-weigh the injury risks by a factor of 20 to 1.

Follow these simple guidelines for safer cycling:

• Use cycle paths or lanes when possible
• Keep left but slightly away from the kerb, watch out for potholes and drains in your path
• Ride at least a metre away from parked cars to avoid hitting doors opening in front of you
• Be careful of painted lines and manhole covers in wet conditions - they are very slippery
• Don't use a mobile phone or listen to music while cycling - the road requires you full attention
• Don't ride alongside trucks and buses for more than a few seconds -they can't always see you in their wing mirrors
• Always make your intentions clear to other road users with hand signals.
• Obey the road rules - don't jump red lights or ride the wrong way down one-way streets
• Watch out for vehicles, especially at intersections, where drivers may not have noticed you. Don't assume they've seen you, and
• Wear a helmet and bright or reflective clothing at all times
• At night it is essential to have a bright light front and back and also on your helmet.

Safe cycling links

Land Transport NZ (LTNZ) website
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) website
Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) website

Reporting potholes

If you come across a pothole in the road that may pose a danger to cyclists, please contact Actionline so we can arrange for the road to be repaired.

Want to report bad driving?

If you see or experience bad driving that endangers cyclists, there is something you can do. Take down the details of the vehicle and report it to the NZ Police, either by calling your local Police Station or by laying a complaint online - Police Road Watch

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