Arrive Alive
A Highway Code for Young Road Users

Buy "Arrive Alive" FREE from BeSeenOnABike

On this page: Check your bike || Before you set off || Cycling in the dark || On Your Bike || Parking || Pedestrian Crossings || Cycling near Animals || Cycle Routes || Bus Routes || Roundabouts || Don't Cycle || Remember

We recommend this booklet for all children. The FREE Arrive Alive Booklet, available from BeSeenOnABike is used by Hampshire Cycle Training Instructors.

In 2003... (according to Think!)

• 21 children aged 0-7 were killed or seriously injured every week on the roads.
• 26 children aged 8-11 were killed or injured every day on the roads and more than one was killed every fortnight.
• Young people between 11 and 16 were more at risk of being killed or seriously injured as a pedestrian or cyclist than any other age group.
  

Arrive Alive Home - links are to advice on:- Walking, Green Cross Code, Cycling, Crossing the road, Rollerblading, Riding in cars, Using buses, Animals on the road, Road Signs & Markings, Traffic lights, Signals.

We reproduce the Cycling advice here, with thanks:-

CHECK YOUR BIKE

• Make sure your front and back lights work well, and your back reflector is clean.
• When you have to carry anything on your cycle, use a bike bag or panniers.
• Make sure that your clothing or anything else does not get caught in the chain or wheels.
  

BEFORE YOU SET OFF

• Make sure your cycle is safe to ride - your brakes are working well and your tyres are in good condition.
• Always wear a cycle helmet - it will help to protect you if you have an accident.
• Make sure that other road users can see you. Wear fluorescent materials in daylight and at dusk, and something reflective at night.
• Riding a bike which is too big or small can affect your balance and can be dangerous.

CYCLING IN THE DARK

• Wear fluorescent clothes in the daytime and reflective clothes in the dark.
• It is an offence to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back, so make sure they are clean and working.
• Remember that if you have a dynamo on your bike your lights will go out when you stop.
  

ON YOUR BIKE

• Before starting off, turning right or left, overtaking, or stopping, you must look behind and make sure it is safe and then give a clear arm signal to show what you intend to do.
• You must not ride on the pavement unless there are special signs allowing you to do so.
• When you get on your cycle look all round for traffic. When it is safe to move off, cycle away.
• Always keep both hands on the handlebars unless you are signalling or changing gears.
• When turning from one road into another, pedestrians who are crossing that road have the right of way, so give way.
• You must obey traffic light signals made by police officers, traffic wardens or school crossing patrols.
• You must not hold onto a vehicle or another cyclist.

• You must not carry a passenger on you cycle unless it is specially designed to do so.
• You should never lead an animal whilst cycling.
• Watch out for traffic doing unexpected things.
• If riding with others on a busy or narrow roads, you should ride one behind the other. Never ride more than two side by side.
• Ride far enough from the edge of the road to avoid drains and gutters.

• If you want to turn right from a busy road, it is safer to stop on the left hand side before or after the junction and wait for a safe gap in the traffic, before walking with your cycle across the road.
• You should not wear a personal stereo whilst cycling or use a mobile phone.
• Only overtake when you are certain it is safe to do so. If you are overtaking parked vehicles, watch out for them starting off while you are doing so, look out for car doors opening or pedestrians crossing near to them. You should also look for traffic coming towards you.

PARKING YOUR CYCLE

• Always park your cycle thoughtfully so that it is not in the way of other people. It is best to use a cycle rack if one has been provided.
• Lock it to prevent it being stolen and have the frame marked with your postcode.

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

• You must stop for pedestrians at Zebra crossings.
• You must stop for the red light at traffic lights, including those at crossings.

CYCLING NEAR ANIMALS

• Be careful when cycling near horses and other animals. Give them plenty of room as you go by.
• Don't scare them by sounding your bell or horn, it could cause an accident.

CYCLE ROUTES

The signs below show the different paths

Recommended route for pedal cycles	Cycles only	Shared with pedestrians	Separate cycle and pedestrians	Cycle lane

Where available, always use routes away from busy roads. In some areas special cycle routes, paths and lanes are provided.

BUS LANES

• Only cycle in bus lanes if there is a cycle shown on the sign.
• Be aware that cycles are not always seen in cycle lanes.

ROUNDABOUTS

• At roundabouts get off your cycle and walk if you feel unsafe.
• When entering a roundabout you must give way to traffic coming from your right.
• Look out for vehicles which may turn in front of you.

DON'T CYCLE

where you see this sign

REMEMBER

• Look after your bike and make sure it is safe
• Make sure that you are dressed in the right clothes:
  • Light clothes
  • Pads and a helmet
• Make sure that you can always see and hear well.