M is for Magna Carta – and the cyclists’ manifesto

W is Waiting patiently at red lights – like all good cyclists do. (Cycling through red lights)

U is for Ukelele. A ukelele would be hard to play whilst cycling on the road.

R is for Road to be shared equally and harmoniously between motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and players of the Ukelele.

O is for Orange, statistically the safest colour to wear whilst cycling, but quite awful too.

T is for tyres and the tremendous joy of cycling to town

Related

Cycling photos

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Some recent cycling photos

Taking it easy on the way to work.

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Orange Fixed

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Waiting for lights to change in the sun

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Coat without arms a la Sherlock Holmes

Poppy appeal

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It’s social waiting at lights.

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Three in a row

Nice hat.

nice boots.

Related

• Commuting photos Oxford

By khalilshah Punjab, Pakistan. A misty morning and a lift to school

photo by Lomokev .Brighton, England early morning. An evocative scene.

photo by Rohit in the Punjab. No rush

Photo by Moosey in Bruges, Belgium. A lovely cycle path into the distance.

By Ben from: Bucheben, Salzburg, Austria. The snow peaks invite the cyclists to keep climbing

By Emma – the Kilted Cyclist, Scotland.

By Anne Miek from De Wijert, Groningen, GN, Netherlands. Smiling in the rain.

By Daniel Saleit, Lombardy, Italy. Great view.

By AWOL Tours – South Africa. Cycle tours into African townships.

By GiantRadish – Morocco. Looks like you need a mountain bike for this terrain.

By Ben Kimball Rock City, California, US. Feels like you are in the clouds.

By lomokev Washoe County, Nevada, US. In the desert.

By airicsson Paris in the winter.

by Mikael Colville-Andersen Copenhagen. The freedom of cycling.

photo by Kgradinger Cycling in New York (bike lane for two)

by Steve Cycling in the hills of Bristol. Cycling in Bristol

Photo by Tejvan (me) from Oxford, High Street by Magdalen College

By Manic Street Preacher London at Night

San Franciso photo by jon crel

Photo by Maybemaq – South Perth

Photo by Felix van de Gein – Galloway Forest Park, UK.

By jeremyhughes in the city of London

Note, copyright remains with photographers, please don’t duplicate without permission.

Contribute

If you have a great cycling photo from around the world you would like to contribute, please feel free to leave comment or contact

Related

• Photos of Cyclists
• Cycling photos of the year

At Broad Street traffic lights

It’s a funny thing, but sometimes you half expect cyclists to be some homogenous bunch of people all wearing the same, fitting certain stereotypes. But, actually cyclists prove to be  pretty good cross section of society. (unless you turn up at a time trial, where 70% of entrants will be old men )

At Broad Street

nice and cool

Beating the traffic. The joy of segregated cycle lanes.

The Fast Lane and time to chat.

High Street

Related

• Oxford Cycling photos

A few photos of cycling around Oxford. The Sheldonian, The Bridge of Sighs, Longwall street

The other view towards Bridge of Sighs

Magdalen Roundabout

Christ Church cathedral

Really sorry for squashing your back wheel – a rare show of honesty. Spotted in centre of Dublin

Yes, it’s the old Morris Dancers’ and they put a smile on everyone’s face

A bemused Ice cream seller looks on.

Having chat round roundabout.

The Cape of Good Hope, unfortunately blocked off by road works.

I say, jolly nice day for cycle.

We’re all in this together, you know.

cheers

some photos from Oxford cycling

Sorry, no room for a cyclist.

Delivery vans block the way.

Obstacles in road to slow down motorists, but means you can’t cycle past. But, you can get to breathe in the car exhaust fumes whilst you wait.

This ‘cycle path’ has concentrated too much on the eco-friendly approach.

A cycle path that lasts at least until the next junction.

Good luck!

Cycle paths for van parking

The British integrated transport system. Car Parking facilities conveniently situated at end of cycle path.

Related

• Guide to cycle paths
• Give Cyclists room

from Royal Family Denmark Photo: Sven Türck (1897-1954)

Other Photos

How to impress the opposite sex, eat squid and ride a tricycle.

City of Verona

Time for chat

sharing a bike

traffic light chat.

sharing a bike

related

• the joy of cycling

Up here in Yorkshire there is a wonderful myriad of quiet country lanes to cycle on. Generally, I try to seek out these smaller country lanes because they  give you time to enjoy the scenery without the distraction of hearing cars whiz past. At some times of the year, these small country lanes are almost deserted and meeting a car is something of a rarity. On the other hand, at the height of summer a small increase in traffic can mean you have to deal with cars coming down or waiting to go past you.

Meeting car on single lane

As you might expect you have a different range of motorists to contend with. Some will patiently wait, others will barely slow down giving you only inches as they squeeze past. However, my observation is that generally people driving on small country lanes are encouraged to driver much more slowly and considerately because of the nature of the roads. Because the road is narrow, drivers are forced into a different mentality to being on a wide open road.

Like any road, the small country lanes can occasionally have their hair-raising moments, but it is usually worth it for the relative peace of cycling on quiet roads.

On this stretch of road, bicycles are almost as frequent as cars.

Tips for Cycling on Country Lanes

Tip for meeting horses – say hello. Horses are less intimidated if they hear a sound. photo – Nidderdale in July

• Overall, quiet country lanes are some of best places to cycle. If ever cycling can be idyllic it is on quiet deserted country lanes where you have time to admire scenery and feel away from busy roads.
• Although it might seem claustrophobic, generally it feels safer than on busy roads. Of course feeling is safe is different from actually being safe. But, at least, if there are accidents they will be at lower speed than on other roads and therefore less likely to be serious.
• Take care going round corners, especially if blind.
• Again it is a good rule of thumb to ride in a good position from left. This gives you more time and space to move in if needed, and also it helps you to see around corners quicker.
• A little bit of harmony between cyclists and motorists is good. Sometimes I get inspired to pull over to allow cars to go past. Partly it is because I want to do a motorist a favour, partly because I want to feel unpressurised by a driver behind.

• Be prepared to meet the unexpected, and enjoy the sight!
• They are not places for chain gangs and interval training.
• Acknowledge drivers who slow down and help you go past (although it is does sometimes feel ironic trying to squeeze through small gaps whilst also trying to wave to drivers.

• Remember cycling two abreast is perfectly legal, though if cars are waiting behind it is polite to return to single file to let them past.

Potential Problems on Country Lanes

• Quite often I’ve let cars past me only to then get stuck behind them because they get caught up themselves.
• Little room for manoeuvre meaning you are forced into hedge.
• Going too quickly around corners and being unprepared for meeting oncoming vehicles.
• Road surface is often rubbish.
• In winter cow manure and mud can be lethal for making you slip off.

Overall

Some of best memories of cycling have been on country lanes (especially around Yorkshire and Lake District) I wouldn’t use them for interval training, but when I want to slip into ‘tourist’ mode. If you’re willing to be a little patient at times, motorists will sometimes, at least reciprocate. There’s not much you can do if other cars squeeze too quickly by at small gaps.

By the way, unless stated, most of these photos were taken on back road from Ilkley to Bolton Abbey. It is one of the busier ‘back roads’ some are much quieter.