2. In a perfect world, everyone would get along on the road.
There’d be drivers and cyclists holding hands and singing
Kumbaya while they wait for the lights to change.
Sadly, this isn’t a perfect world. But we think it could
be a much nicer one.
This book is designed to give a few simple tips to help
everyone, including pedestrians, become a better road user.
And by following the Nice Way Code, not only will our roads
be safer, they’ll be much happier too.
Although preferably without the Kumbaya bit.
WELCOME TO THE
NICE WAY CODE.
3. Have you noticed that when you see a horse on the road,
you slow down, give them lots of space and pass with care?
That’s the way you should treat a cyclist.
Giving them sugar lumps is optional.
SEE CYCLIST.
THINK HORSE.
SLOW DOWN & PASS WITH CARE.
4. When you stop your bike at a red or amber light,
it’s not just you who gets a rest.
Cyclists everywhere get a break from angry drivers.
Because nothing annoys drivers more than cyclists
(or other drivers for that matter) who don’t respect the rules.
So do everyone a favour and always stop when you should.
RUNNING REDS.
JUST DON’T DO IT.
5. Much like the high seas, junctions can be perilous places.
You have to keep your eyes peeled as cyclists can be
much harder to spot.
And if you’re behind a cyclist coming up to a junction,
be patient and let them sail through before overtaking.
KEEPA LOOKOUT
FOR CYCLISTS
AT JUNCTIONS.
6. DRIVERS LIKE IT
WHEN YOU
DRESS BRIGHTLY.
You need to stand out when you sit in the saddle.
Front and rear lights are a legal requirement
when it’s dark.
And bright clothing is just good sense.
But don’t let this cramp your style.
Take your inner fashionista for a spin.
7. Predictive text is very useful. But it can’t foresee if
a car is going to come at you unexpectedly.
You’re much safer leaving your phone in your
pocket and keeping your eyes on the road.
And if you’re driving or cycling, don’t even think about it.
DON’T LET YOUR
PHONE DISTRACT YOU
WHEN YOU’RE
CROSSING THE ROAD.
8. It’s not rocket science.
Advanced stop lines are for cyclists only.
The main clue is the big bicycle symbol printed in them.
They’re there to give cyclists the little head start
they need at lights. And as an added bonus, they make
dull grey roads a bit more colourful.
IF YOU DRIVE IN
THE SQUARE, YOU’RE
A TOTAL RHOMBUS.
9. Calm down, cat lovers, it’s just a figure of speech.
Cyclists love cats and they also love it when drivers
give them space.
It means they have room to avoid potholes and
other obstacles on the road.
So don’t be stingy. Give them as much space
as you’d give a car when you overtake.
GIVE CYCLISTS
ENOUGH SPACE.
10. It’s hard for bus and lorry drivers to see you when
you cycle down their left hand side. So you could
be risking your life if you do.
It’s ok to pass on the right, provided it’s safe and the
vehicle you’re passing isn’t about to make a turn.
Don’t feel like you have to overtake, though. It’s ok
to hang back too.
But if you are going to overtake, make sure the road
ahead is clear and you have enough speed to
get past. Then signal and be on your way.
ALWAYS PASS
LARGE VEHICLES
ON THE RIGHT.
11. PEDESTRIANS ARE
FRAGILE.
LOOK OUT FOR THEM.
Last time we checked, pedestrians weren’t fitted with airbags.
Some carry shopping bags. But a loaf of bread and multipack
of loo roll don’t give much protection if you get hit by a car.
So keep an eye out for pedestrians and drive carefully
around people crossing the street or walking along roads
with no pavement.
12. SHOULDN’T YOU
GROW OUT OF CYCLING
ON THE PAVEMENT?
Cycling on the pavement was cute when you were four.
But now that you’re a bit bigger, you make grannies
spit out their dentures when you zip by.
So be nice (and mature) and stick to the road,
cycle path or shared use path where you can.
13. E
S
T A B L I S H E D
2 0
0
3
@nicewaycode /nicewaycode
For even more useful tips visit www.gov.uk/highway-code
