Bike in Cyprus

Riding

Try to ride in a straight line. Do not look down at the ground but fix your gaze on a distant object straight ahead.

Try out the different gears and find one that is comfortable to use. Remember to change in good time if you need to go up hill.

( Low gear is for moving off, going slowly and riding uphill. Middle gear is for normal riding and high gear is for extra speed. )

Practise various exercises to improve your cycle control e.g. a slalom in and out of markers; keeping between 2 parallel lines less than a metre apart; going diagonally; riding in a tight circle.

Looking

This is the most important thing to remember to do while riding.
Looks are over the right shoulder in order to see what traffic is coming up behind you.
Make sure you really turn your head to see, do not merely glance to the side.
Keep the cycle going straight ahead while you are looking behind.
There is often the tendency to move your arms as well and so steer the cycle out to the right.
Before you make any manoeuvre look and check that it is in fact safe to do so.
Look behind before starting, stopping, overtaking and turning left or right.

Riding one handed

Keep both hands on the handlebars unless you need to signal.
Before you signal check behind to ensure that it is safe.
Signals should be given using the whole arm stretched out at shoulder height with the palm facing forwards.
The slowing down signal is given with the right arm, palm down, and is 3 movements up to shoulder height and then down to the side.
Signal for at least 3 seconds to allow other road users to see what you intend to do.
Practise so that you can signal left, right and slowing down without losing control of the cycle.