Cycling For All

Wear the right stuff

• It’s best to wear trainers or flat shoes with a rigid sole to give you a firm footing when you are on your cycle.
• It is not a good Idea to wear flip flops, sandals or high heel shoes.
• Clothing should always be comfortable and not too loose so it does not get caught in the moving parts of the cycles.
• In the heat and sun, you should consider bringing a hat and sun cream.
• In the cold and light rain it’s a good idea to wear a warm and waterproof coat as well as gloves and a hat.

Brake with confidence

• Holding the brakes ‘on’ while you get onto a bike will stop it from moving and make it feel more stable.
• Test the brakes before you start riding so you know how much you have to pull the lever/s to reach a complete stop in a calm and controlled manner.
• When riding, always leave enough space between yourself and other riders so you have room to stop if you need to, and watch your speed.

Wearing a helmet

• Helmets are available at all Cycling for All sessions and some session providers require you to wear one.
• Wearing a helmet while cycling in your own time is down to personal choice.

Locks

• Bike thieves are opportunists and can work very quickly. Locking your cycle with the appropriate lock, in the right place and in the right way, will not only be a deterrent but also make their work harder.
• There are many types of bicycle lock, from a simple chain and padlock to the hardened steel shackle or D- Lock.
• Chains and cable locks should only be used where your bike is in plain sight. It is best not to leave a cycle unattended for any length of time when using these types of lock as they can be easily removed with metal cutting tools
• For greater security it is better to use a D – Lock and preferably through:
  • the rear wheel and frame
  • the rear wheel with a cable to secure the front wheel
  • the front wheel and the frame
• Positioning your lock will be different depending on the type of cycle you are riding.
• A good rule of thumb when it comes to buying a lock is to spend at least 10% the cost of the bike.

Shelter

• Considering how much money you can spend on a bicycle, storage and security are very important considerations.
• Leaving a cycle outside can lead to the rusting of moving parts and the perishing of rubber and plastic parts such as tyres.
• Temporarily covering a cycle with a tarpaulin or plastic sheet will keep the rain off but condensation will build up which will also cause rusting and damage in the long run.
• There are a variety of bike sheds on the market if you cannot get your cycle into your house or garage.
• You can use home insurance to cover your bike.