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Get ready to celebrate independent Record Store Day

18 Apr 2024

Independent record stores around the country are preparing to celebrate all things vinyl for this year’s Record Store Day on Saturday April 20th. 
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Indies encouraged to put themselves forward for Retail Business of the Year award.

18 Apr 2024

BIRA, the British Independent Retailers Association, has announced its partnership with this year’s SME National Business Awards., joining the 2024 awards as a leading sponsor, backing... Read more…

Family-run Polesworth fish and chip shop celebrates 40 years in business with half-price chips.

18 Apr 2024

A Midlands fish and chip shop is celebrating 40 years in business and offering half-price chips to mark the milestone.
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Assault of shop workers to be made specific criminal offence

18 Apr 2024

Assaulting a shop worker is to be made a separate criminal offence in England and Wales as part of a government response to a wave of retail crime. 
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New stores helping Cardiff arcades buck retail trends.

18 Apr 2024

Eleven new businesses that have opened in the last year in the historic arcades of Cardiff city centre’s Morgan Quarter, made up of the Morgan and Royal arcades, have helped the arcades... Read more…

Study highlights impact of rising staff costs for convenience retailers.

3 Apr 2024

Research by the University of Stirling and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation has shed light on the impact of rising staff costs on the convenience retail sector in Scotland.
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Independent department stores hitting a sweet spot on local high streets.

3 Apr 2024

With large national chains increasingly disappearing from the high street, Drapers magazine has been looking at how independent department stores are stepping up their offerings to... Read more…

Entries open for 2024 Baking Industry Awards

2 Apr 2024

The Baking Industry Awards return for their 37th year and are once again ready to recognise and reward the very best people, products, and businesses in the sector. The awards showcase the... Read more…

Family-owned cycle shop celebrates 90 years trading in Walsall.

2 Apr 2024

Walsall's cycling community has been celebrating a family-owned business which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.
 
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Payment-processing outages at UK retailers raise reliability issues for cashless transactions.

2 Apr 2024

Recent payment disruptions at supermarkets and fast-food outlets have raised questions on the need for improved reliability.
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The definitive guide to safer cycling series part 4

Posted on in Cycles News, Outdoor News

The definitive guide to safer cycling is a four part series that offers crucial information on important cycling safety statistics as well as helpful tips and advice on how to stay safe whilst cycling at night, during the winter and in any other less-than-ideal situation written by Michael Morris.

Part 4 offers tips and advice for adjusting our cycling for the different conditions you can encounter.

Cycling can take you on all kinds of roads, at all times of the year and in a range of weather conditions. For this reason, it is great to know the best practice cycling tips for the conditions you could encounter.

cycle path 

Rush hour and city cycling

Cycling in busy cities is becoming more and more popular as a means of avoiding the build-up in congestion and traffic at rush hour. London is a great example for just this, where thousands of cyclists take to the streets at all times of the day.

So when cycling in the city it's important to know the ins and outs of keeping safe and within the law.

In line with the law, cyclists should stop at all red lights and avoid riding through them. If you are caught cycling through a red light you will be fined £50. Although it is extremely tempting it is an offence and dangerous.

In terms of safety:

  • Position your bike centrally on narrow roads which prevents you from swerving to avoid drains and ensures that motorists won't risk overtaking and putting you in danger
  • Keep a car width distance between yourself and parked cars, giving you the room to react if a door is opened unexpectedly.
  • Stay far back from large lorries and HGVs because the chance of the drivers not being able to see you is high and could result in them turning into your bike
  • Always were bright or reflective clothing
  • Signal before turning left or right and ensure to check behind before completing the manoeuvre

Mandatory cycle lanes

These lanes are marked with a continuous white line and it is illegal for any vehicle to enter this area either when driving or parking.

Advisory cycle lanes

These work in a similar way to mandatory lanes but with a broken white line which means motorists shouldn't enter the lanes unless it's unavoidable.

Contra-flow cycle lanes

These lanes help cyclists navigate one-way zones. They act in the same manner as mandatory lanes for motorists.

Shared bus & cycle lanes

These lanes allow buses and bikes to share a designated lane. Other road users are not allowed into these areas.

Night Cycling

Always have your lights with you

If you don't have lights fixed to your bike you should ensure that you carry them at all times. The weather is always interchangeable and as a cyclist, you should be prepared.

Carry back-up lights

Lights do run out of battery so prepare for the worst and have back-ups ready for an unexpected hiccup in your trip.

Maintain a safe speed

Always maintain a safe speed is important when you are flying down hills in the dark so that you have plenty of time to brake and take evasive action accordingly.

Plan your route beforehand

Before taking a route in the dark it is advised to test it out in the day so you are prepared and alert.

Don't ride alongside the kerb

At night staying a metre from the side of the road is a great way for drivers to see you.

Winter Cycling

Prepare sufficiently

It becomes important to prepare your route beforehand especially in treacherous conditions where you are more likely to have an accident.

Alter your cycling based on condition

You should alter the way you cycle based on the conditions you face, this means slowing down on wet roads and in icy conditions.

Maintain your visibility

Even during the day, you should ensure that you are as visible as possible to other vehicles because snow and rain can obstruct the view of drivers.

Seven tips for safer cycling in all conditions

  1. Practice and home your skills
  2. Stop cycling against the kerb
  3. Make eye contact
  4. Signal with intent
  5. Use the correct lane
  6. Always keep to the rules of the road
  7. Overtake on the correct side

Read the full Adjust your Cycling in the UK.

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