London pco hire drivers will know that the rate of cyclists on the road is increasing; and whilst special cycle lanes are being built across the city, a large portion of a cyclist’s time will still occur on the road.
To ensure yours and their safety, as well as how to avoid anything which will affect your license and insurance, look at our top tips for cyclist-friendly driving!
Leave Cyclists Some Room at the Traffic Lights
When stopping at the traffic lights, avoid entering the ‘stop’ space. Not only is this space exclusively for cyclists but stopping will earn you a £100 penalty and three points on your license.
Keep a Safe Distance
Cyclists will benefit from the same amount of space you should give to another vehicle in front of you; for example, if your speed is 30 miles an hour, 30 meters distance is ideal, 40 meters for 40 miles an hour, and so on. Furthermore, it’s dangerous to overtake if there’s very little space; if you see a cyclist riding in the middle of the lane, hang back for yours and their safety.
Doors and Corners…
Two key times to check for cyclists are
- When opening your door to step out
- Before turning left or right
This can be especially important during periods of slow/still traffic, where cyclists are known to weave in and out of lanes to reach their destination.
Junction Safety
Some junctions now feature stop lines to allow cycles to travel safely, ahead of other vehicles – exactly like the stop lines placed near traffic lights on the main roads (see point 1). Crossing this line can also result in a £100 fine and three points on your license.
With these handy driving tips, you can make cyclist’s journeys safer, and you now know how to avoid heavy fines and points on your license too. In the end, everyone’s a winner!
