Safety

Equipment

Lights are essential. The law requires that you must have lights and reflectors when on the road between sunset and sunrise. The minimum requirement is that bicycles should have a white light at the front, a red light at the back, a rear red reflector and amber pedal reflectors. The lights must conform to BS6102/2 and be marked as such. This rule applies to machines made after October 1995. Extra lights and reflectors can be added, but these do not have to conform to the British Standard. Lights can be battery operated or can run off a small dynamo.
Reflective clothing or bands add to your visibility at night. Bright coloured or fluorescent clothing makes you more visible in day light.
Wearing a cycle helmet is a sensible precaution. Although not preventing accidents, a helmet can reduce the severity of head injuries and the effect of impact. A good quality helmet will withstand an impact of about 12mph, but even in more extreme accidents you will still get some head protection. You should buy an approved helmet marked with "CE". Make sure it fits well and that the straps are adjusted correctly. A badly fitting helmet will not give proper protection.
Cycling gloves give protection if you fall as well as keeping your hands warm in cold conditions.
A small tool kit is useful with a puncture repair kit, tyre levers and spanners. Don't forget your pump.
A rear rack is useful for light loads; you can also fix panniers to this for carrying more. It is not a good idea to cycle with a heavy rucksack on your back as it may affect your balance.
A bell or horn is a useful accessory particularly when you are cycling on a shared path to warn pedestrians of your presence if they have strayed on to the cyclist's part of the path.

Maintenance

Keep your cycle in good working order.
Pump your tyres regularly. It is far easier to ride with fully inflated tyres than with soft ones, as road resistance is reduced. They will need pumping every 3 or 4 days.
Keep your chain lubricated. Remember to clean the chain about twice a year to get rid of accumulated dirt which will damage it.
Adjust the cables on brakes and gears when necessary.

General Advice

Ride defensively - be alert.
Look around carefully before moving off.
Before changing direction, look behind, and if safe, signal clearly.
If you are unable to avoid a roundabout or other busy junction and you are unsure about how to proceed, get off your cycle and walk across.
Cycle routes and paths have improved cyclists' safety so, where possible, use them.
Be especially careful when leaving a cycle route, most cycle related accidents happen as cyclists leave the route-way.
Be safe - be seen. Wear something fluorescent during the day or reflective at night.
At night and in poor light you must ensure your front and rear lights are lit and that your cycle has an efficient red rear reflector.
Always try and respect the following Good Cycling Code and be aware of junctions, crossings and traffic signs that you might encounter.

Good Cycling Code

Be Courteous! - Always cycle with respect for others, whether other cyclists, pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, horse-riders or drivers.

Cycling is allowed on vehicular roads, but not on off-road pedestrian routes for obvious safety reasons for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Shared Use Paths - These are designed for shared use by cyclists and walkers, and are often suitable for wheelchairs. Experience in the UK and abroad shows such paths can benefit everyone, and can be comfortably and safely shared if we show respect for the needs of others.

When cycling on shared use paths please:

Give way to pedestrians, leaving them plenty of room.
Keep to your side of any white dividing line.
Be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary.
Don't expect to cycle at high speeds.
Be careful at junctions, bends and entrances.
Remember that many people are hard of hearing or visually impaired. Don't assume they can see or hear you.
Use a bell and don't surprise people!

On Roads

Always follow the Highway Code.
Fit and use lights in poor visibility.
Keep your bike roadworthy.
BE SEEN - most accidents to cyclists happen at junctions.
Pavements are for pedestrians - don't cycle on them except where designated unless absolutely necessary.
Use your bell - not all pedestrians can see you.
Wear a helmet.

Country Areas

Follow the Country Code.
Respect other land management activities such as farming or forestry.
Keep erosion to a minimum if off road.
Be self-sufficient - in remote areas carry food, repair kit, map and waterproofs.
Try to cycle or use public transport to travel to and from the start and finish of your ride.