Where to ride

Suggested routes and rides in Essex

Tips on cycling

Ride on quiet streets and in parks - practice your riding and these tips in places with few cars moving about. This way you can relax more and build your confidence.
Practice looking over your right shoulder - knowing what’s coming up behind you will give you great confidence.
Practice riding with one hand - just let your arm hang at your side at first. Once you can do this with both hands, practice indicating.
Persist! - don’t be put off by cold or wet weather, there’s plenty of accessories and protective clothing you can invest in to keep warm and dry, an essential would be windproof gloves to protect your hands in the cold weather.
Hills can be easy - remember to gradually slip into a lower gear when you approach a hill, this will make it much easier to ride up it. It’s a great feeling when you reach the top!
Helmets - Some people feel safer when they wear a helmet. If you want to wear one then make sure it fits properly. It should sit horizontally on your head and shouldn't move about. Two fingers should fit tightly between your chin and the strap.
Watch out for the 'door-zone' - cycle at least 1.5m away from parked cars. You’ve got to imagine what might happen if a car door unexpectedly opened.

If in doubt, act like a car - if you’re unsure where you should position yourself at a junction or roundabout, then just move into the centre of the lane and take up the space like a car would. Once through the junction, move back closer to the side of the road again.
Be assertive - Make sure to take your rightful place on the road at all times and make positive, clear movements.
Bikes belong - Always aim to cycle about 1 metre out from the curb, don’t feel you have to cycle closer in because of pressure from motorists as this encourages overtaking too close and leaves little escape room.
Brighten up - the weather might not be, but we can be bright on our bikes - so wear light coloured or bright clothes.
Stay alert - Be aware of what is going on around you all the time. Aim to be seen by other road users - e.g. making eye contact with drivers waiting to pull out.
Think ahead - Assume that everyone else is going to do the unexpected - the next car door might open in your way, the car overtaking you might turn in across your path. Decide as you ride what you will do to avoid each potential accident. This actually makes you feel very strong and in control.
Avoid the temptation to weave and filter through traffic - while in some cases this can be fine, you have to have a lot of experience to make this a comfortable and safe way to ride. Instead, just relax, be patient and enjoy your ride.

Stay visible - When riding at night, visibility is your first priority. If you are seen, you are safer.
Lights are essential - without lights, bikes and their riders become very hard to see. even in well-lit areas. We all want you to be seen, so make sure you are as visible as possible, light up your bike and wear brightly coloured, reflective clothing.
Choose your route - Choose a route that benefits from streetlamps, other cyclists, or ambient light from businesses.
Watch the road - potholes, seams, cracks, lumps, grates, and other road problems can be almost invisible at night, so ride carefully and a little slower than normal.
Pass it on - remember to gradually slip into a lower gear when you approach a hill, this will make it much easier to ride up it. It’s a great feeling when you reach the top!

Dress normally - If your ride is less than 30 minutes (5 miles), the chances are you can just ride in your normal work clothes. Unless you want to ride fast, you can just cruise into work on your bike - no sweat!
Find the best route - Don’t just take the route you would if you were in a car, try looking for routes along bicycle paths or back roads, this will ensure a smooth and enjoyable start and end to your working day, it sure beats the stress of being stuck in traffic!
Mud guards - I guess they’re called that for a reason - they can protect your work clothes from dirt and rain that might get sprayed up from your wheels.
Use a pannier - Make use of the bike to carry your belongings rather than a rucksack, freeing up your back will make you more agile and you’ll feel great.
Carrying your work clothes? Roll rather than fold them and avoid creases.
Keep your cool - Learn to keep calm and not to react to angry or impatient drivers, keeping a cool head will maximise your safety and make the commute less stressful and much more fun!
Ride with confidence - Don’t worry about holding up other traffic. Being more visible and taking a primary position is the best way to stay safe. Only let people past when you feel safe.

Avoid buying your first bike online - visit a local bike shop - they’ll be able to give you personalised advice on what you actually need and give you the best fitting bike.
Don’t get a mountain bike if you’re going to cycle to work - unless of course you’re lucky enough to be able to cycle in the countryside on your commute! Mountain bike tyres and suspension will slow you down and make it harder to ride.
Get the right size - The size of the frame is important. A bikeshop will be able to advise the best fit.
Negotiate some free services - most bike shops are happier to give you free bike services rather than a discount on the bike. This will be more beneficial in the long run as it’s important to keep your bike in good shape (it makes it easier and smoother to ride!).
Set your goals - Form follows function, and this is especially true of bikes, while on the whole most bikes are pretty versatile, different bikes are intended for different types of riding and some are very specific to their purpose. If you can describe what you want to do with your new bike, you’ll make things much easier for yourself and the salesperson who’s helping you choose.
Set your budget - If cycling regularly, it’s always worth investing in a good bike that is light, reliable and durable. You can get cheap bikes, but remember, you get what you pay for.