I guess this was inevitable with rising fuel prices. Cycle sales are soaring as motorists bin the cars in favour of these. However there are concerns that inexperienced cyclists are taking to our roads thus causing more concern for drivers who now need to take extra care to judge their speed - as well as the road and weather conditions - from the new cyclist's point of view.

Some cyclists, particularly younger ones, have never driven a car, and so do not recognise the problems that they can cause car drivers.

Give them plenty of room when overtaking. Do not turn left with a cyclist coming up on your nearside. Look before you open your car door. Use mirrors before you change direction. Keep out of their cycle lanes.

In an accident involving a car and a cyclist, whoever is to blame the cyclist will always be the more vulnerable to a serious injury.

So some tips for motorists has been prepared by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) with the National Cycling Strategy Board to avoid adding to the many cyclists killed or seriously injured each year.

Drivers: Give them plenty of room when overtaking. Do not turn left with a cyclist coming up on your nearside. Look before you open your car door. Use mirrors before you change direction. Keep out of their cycle lanes.

OK that’s fine.

Now for you cyclists:
Stop at red traffic lights
Give way at round-a-bouts
Do not whiz up on the nearside
You have arms. Use them to indicate.

If you want respect from car drivers show respect to them with etiquette behaviour.

FemaleFirst Motoring - Jackie Violet