Before you get out on the road, you need to make sure your bike is in good working order and you have all the gear you need – from a helmet to some decent lights. If you haven’t ridden your bike for a long time, get it serviced before you start using it again. You wouldn’t feel safe driving a car with dodgy brakes, flat tyres and no lights – a bike is no different.
Knowing how to behave around other vehicles helps with confidence. If you hold a driving licence then you’ll already be familiar with how to navigate a road. If you’re not, then it’s time to start learning. The more you know, the safer you’ll be. Buy a copy of the Highway Code and get studying. Make sure you know how to go round a roundabout, give way to other vehicles and what different signs mean. Simple things, like understanding who has the right of way down a street of parked cars or being able to use hand signals correctly, will make your confidence soar.
It’s incredibly important to respect the people you’re sharing the road with. This means stopping at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings just like everyone else. Be considerate to car drivers and ensure you use hand signals to indicate before you turn off a road – if you make it clear what you’re doing you will be safer, plus other road users will respect you in return.