About being a cyclist in a residential street or estate
Statistics show that the frequency and severity of collisions that happen on residential streets is lower than that for the major roads. Most collisions in residential areas tend to occur at relatively slow speeds so drivers and passengers can be unharmed. However, slow speed collisions can still prove serious and cyclists can help keep these collisions to a minimum by following the advice below.
Follow the Highway Code
The Department for Transport's Highway Code contains important information for all road users. It also includes rules for cyclists and valuable advice.
You will find links below to the Highway Code and the Highway Code rules for cyclists.
The Highway Code can be downloaded as an eBook and there are also Facebook and Twitter accounts offering regular topical updates and reminders. For iPhone or iPad users an official Highway Code app is available.
What cyclists should look out for
Cyclists should:
- take extra care at junctions and pay particular attention to vehicles entering and exiting; and
- be wary of long high-sided vehicles - drivers of heavy goods vehicles or buses may have difficulty seeing cyclists.
Road safety education for cyclists
Bury Council's Road Safety Service offers cycle training to all schools in the borough for children who have a roadworthy bike.
Year 4 pupils are offered Level 1 of the Bikeability Cycle course. This is a half-day session delivered in the playground. Children are taught basic cycle control skills including starting and pedaling; stopping; manoeuvring; signaling and using the gears.
Years 5 and 6 pupils are offered a Level 1/2 course. This training is delivered over four half-days either morning or afternoon. The training takes place on-road and is designed to increase confidence, enhance skills and enable pupils to cycle on roads more safely.
The Road Safety Service also offers individual refresher/confidence-raising aimed at adults who wish to ride their cycle for travelling to and from work or for leisure purposes.
Bikeability cycling proficiency training
What is Bikeability?
Bikeability is 'cycling proficiency' for the 21st century, designed to give the next generation the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on today's roads.
There are three Bikeability levels. A child will typically start Level 1 Bikeability lessons once they have learnt to ride a bike with 10-11 year olds progressing through to Level 2, and then Level 3 at secondary school (11-18 year olds). The three levels cover:
- Control of the bike;
- Basic road training;
- Challenging road conditions.
Certificates and shiny luminous badges for each level are awarded to children who successfully complete each course and children are encouraged and inspired to achieve all three levels, recognising that there is always more to learn and to enjoy on a bike.
Bikeability was developed by more than 20 professional organisations including the Royal Society for Prevention against Accidents and is supported by cross-Government departments including the Department for Transport, Department of Health and Department for Children, Schools and Families.
For more information visit the Bikeabilty website or Transport for Greater Manchester website.
Greater Manchester cycle maps
For online cycle maps detailing cycle routes throughout Greater Manchester visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website.
Copies of the cycle map for Bury are available free of charge from Bury Tourist Information Centre, public libraries and Bury Transport for Greater Manchester Travelshop.