Maylarch supported the C4S bike ride from Oxford to Paris

Due to the numbers of vehicles we have on the road and the numbers of staff who use a bicycle, even if it’s just to go to the pub, after work, we felt we should play our part in improving cycle safety for everybody.

The following has been added to our Drivers Handbook/Policy as a guide to our drivers on how we expect them to behave toward cyclists and other slow moving traffic.

Bicycles and mopeds that cannot keep up with other traffic are expected to ride one meter from the curb or parked cars, or as close as practicable to the left hand edge of the road when there is no curb.

However, they can use any part of the lane if necessary for safety, such as to:

• avoid obstacles, debris, potholes and sewer grates;
• cross railway or tramcar tracks at a 90° angle; and
• discourage passing where the lane is too narrow to be shared safely.

Cyclists are not required to ride close to the left edge of the road when they are travelling at or faster than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place, or when they are getting in position to turn right or turning right. (Cyclists are permitted to make a right turn from a right turn lane, where one is available.)

When passing a cyclist, allow at least one metre between your car and the cyclist and do not get too close to the rear of the cyclist.

Whenever possible, you should change lanes to pass.

When turning left, signal and check your mirrors and the blind spot to your right to make sure you do not cut off a cyclist.

When parked on the side of the street, look behind you and check your mirrors and blinds spots for a passing cyclist before opening a door.

I would urge other organisations to adopt this or something similar as part of their duty of care.

Please take the text and suggest it for or add it to your workplace driver policy.