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Cycling Protocol

Make sure you know how to stay safe on the roads

Navigation Aids

The route selection criteria take in to account safety, scenery and accessibility. Please ensure you are familiar with and adhere to the Highway Code. (especially Rules for Cyclists 59 – 82). Please stick to the designated route at all times.

The route will be clearly signed with PINK ARROWS, with WHITE GLOW STICKS also during the night time. In the outskirts of villages/towns this signage may become harder to spot, so please familiarise yourselves with the route before the Challenge, and have the Route Map with you and track your progress on it so you are aware of your assumed location. It is your responsibility not to get lost!

 Urban cycling in traffic

Setting out from the start, the route does pass through urban, well-built up areas and you may encounter some heavy traffic along certain points of the route. You'll need to cycle single file to avoid frustrated drivers pressurising you from behind, and to prevent long queues of traffic forming. Every cyclist should always cycle defensively working on the principle of ‘the driver has not seen me,’ and don’t try and predict what any vehicle is going to do. 

Building up your confidence cycling through urban areas and in traffic is key to staying safe whilst out on the road, training. If you are new to cycling, we recommend embarking upon an adult cycling proficiency training ride either as an individual or with a group of friends led by qualified instructors to improve your confidence on roads with heavy traffic, and with complex road layouts.

The Bikeability scheme offers a variety of courses, click here to find out more.

Night Cycling Protocol

Cycling at night requires practice and we highly recommend if you have limited experience of cycling at night, or have only ever cycled short distances in the dark then you plan at least one long night cycle prior to the challenge. In addition to overall visibility reducing due to darkness, depth perception and judgement of distances are also impaired, and more concentration is required to detect obstacles in the road, potential hazards and keeping track of signage and the route. At the same time, your body will be fighting tiredness and muscle fatigue as it works throughout the night to keep pedalling when usually sleeping and resting.

Light up!

When cycling at night it is a legal requirement that your bike is fully fitted with the correct lights and reflectors as below:

  • white front light
  • red rear light
  • red rear reflector+ white front reflector
  • amber/yellow pedal reflectors - front and back pedals

 LED wheel lights, clipped onto your bike wheel will also ensure your highly visible whilst out on the road. A head torch, positioned on top of your cycle helmet is useful for identifying hazards light pot holes, mud, puddles, etc in the dark is much harder than in the day.

Hi-Vis Clothing

The use of high visibility clothing, reflective material, ankle cuffs, and anything else that is bright or lights up should be worn whilst training at night, and on the challenge itself. It will be compulsory that you have no less than one item of hi-visibility clothing or reflective material which is clearly visible at all times.

Click here to read more from the Highway Code which details fully advice for cycling at night, as well as the legal requirements when cycling at night.

Cycling at night is of course very different to cycling by daylight – however that is not to say it is inherently more dangerous or risky. It should be remembered that in addition to overall visibility reducing due to darkness, depth perception and judgement of distances is also impaired. Detecting obstacles in the road, potential hazards, or indeed route finding requires more concentration and situational awareness.

At night and in the early hours, traffic volume is significantly reduced, and ambient noise less – this combined with vehicle lights makes sighting or hearing approaching vehicles potentially clearer at night. Similarly the use of high visibility clothing, reflective material, ankle cuffs (supplied), flashing lights all make cyclists identifiable at some distance – especially where in large groups. Notwithstanding riders need to take extra care, implement additional measures, and exercise great caution when cycling at night on public roads – this protocol is non-negotiable.