If you didn't already know, riding your bike in the correct position on the road is a fundamental skill. The correct place is to ride at least half a metre out from the kerb at all times, then moving further out into the middle of the road at junctions.

There are three reasons for doing this;

1. Avoiding the glass, gravel and other road detritus which gets swept towards the edge of the road by motor traffic. Gravel is a big problem at the moment as it is generated by road surface breaking up around potholes.

2. To give yourself some safety space to move into in case a vehicle comes too close.

3. Most importantly, riding further out into the lane puts you firther into driver's visual field- simply put you're riding where drivers are looking and are therefore much more obvious. If you don't believe this check out the Institute of Advanced Drivers press release.

You can use the IAM's press release to counter any arguements with drivers!

Be safe...

Previously published here in 2007 , guidelines on riding safely.

Have you seen this stolen bike?

The St Albans Review and the Herts Advertiser both cover the story of a Giant mountainbike stolen from Bricket wood:

"It is believed to have been taken around 5.25pm when the owner and a friend were sitting in the communal area rose gardens in the village.He had left the pedal cycle resting against a nearby railing and a man wearing a brown hat, white or grey hooded top and dark trouser bottoms rode off on it.Two other men who were with the thief at the time quickly walked away.One was described as around 6ft tall, of medium build and wearing similar clothes to the thief and the other was white, in his late teens or early twenties, around 5ft 10ins tall with light brown hair. He was wearing a white Adidas hooded top, jeans and white trainers" reports the Advertiser.

Keep youyr eyes open and contact Pc Woods on 0845 33 00 222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111- especially if you're offered this bike second-hand.