Creating a safe and welcoming environment for every type of cyclist and other park visitors. This is the updated Safer Riding Guide, previously known as the Code of Conduct. It has been put together with the help of MPS’s Parks Police and our subscribers.
Richmond Park is a National Nature Reserve, and cycling in it is a privilege as well as a pleasure. For many years, the park has been London’s No1 free cycling resource - and the diversity of its cyclists is growing.
Since the temporary ban on motor vehicles during the first lockdown and the subsequent restrictions on through traffic, many more people have been visiting the park by bike. Some are vulnerable road users, such as children and the elderly. Many of them will have less confidence on a bike than those who typically cycle in the park. By riding kindly and courteously, you will help to ensure it is a welcoming environment for every type of cyclist and other visitors.
This guide is self-policing. If you see a cyclist falling short of it, politely ask them to adjust their behaviour in future. And if you are an experienced cyclist, remember that your good behaviour sets an example for others to follow.
Please obey the Highway Code and respect the police team who look after the park and its visitors. If another road user extends you a courtesy, thank them – they’ll be more likely to do so again. And try not to react discourteously when provoked by other people’s behaviour – it could cause the incident to escalate and compromise your safety.
Whether young or old, novice or expert, here are our guidelines for safe, enjoyable cycling.
Stopping and slowing
• Pedestrians have priority everywhere. This policy, which is set out in the park’s transport principles, differs from the Highway Code. It means you should stop when safe to do so if you see someone waiting to cross. At the raised crossings, you should stop for pedestrians. But slow down smoothly and avoid braking hard if there are other cyclists or vehicles close behind you.
• Consider reducing your speed when passing cafes and car parks. It will give you more time to react to the greater number of people, dogs and traffic moving around.
• Be aware of your closing speed. Slow down if necessary when approaching slower-moving road users from behind.
• Look out for horse riders. Provide a polite verbal warning if approaching from behind, slow down when cycling near to them, such as on the Quietway, and stop to let them cross the road if you see them waiting.
• Deer are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Learn to read their behaviour – are they grazing or do they want to cross? Be ready to stop if you see them at the side of the road or approaching it. The same applies to other wild animals, such as geese, who sometimes wander into the road.
• If you need to stop riding, please get off the road. Staying on it creates a hazard.
Speed
• Speed limits in the park do not apply to cyclists – but that does not mean you can ride as fast as you like all the time. The police enforce a regulation stipulating that you must not ride in a manner that would endanger the safety of other park visitors or yourself. So slow down for pedestrians, anticipate road furniture and other potential hazards, and always be aware that deer can run out at any time. Sensible speeds create a more welcoming environment for everyone.
• Please pay special attention to your speed on the Quietway. Give way to children, walkers and learner cyclists who frequent this mostly car-free area which runs through the centre of the park between Ham Cross and Sheen Cross.
• Never race or time trial. Doing so creates a shorter time for you to react to hazards, less time for others to see you and can frighten the unwary and vulnerable. Competitive cycling is prohibited in the park, except at events sanctioned by The Royal Parks.
• Frustrated by motor traffic? If you want fewer interruptions to your ride, consider visiting the park when it is quieter.
Care and courtesy
• Always ride in the left-hand lane, as you would on any other road, even in parts of the park which are closed to motor traffic. Riding on the right in restricted areas creates a hazard for oncoming cyclists, and drivers attending incidents or on park business.
• Ride in the centre of your lane when approaching junctions or narrower sections of the road. On less narrow sections, keep to the left-hand side of the road allowing road users who are behind you to pass if safe to do so.
• Read the road ahead to anticipate hazards.
• Look behind you before moving left or right.
• Show care when passing. Watch your speed, always overtake on the right (except when filtering in slow-moving queues) and leave a minimum space of 1.5 metres.
• Try to leave more room when passing pedestrians or less experienced cyclists – they can be startled or intimidated even at a safe distance.
• Obey the solid white lines. They are on stretches of road where overtaking is dangerous. Crossing them is outlawed except to pass a stationary road user or anyone moving at 10mph or less.
• Don’t go off-track. Cycling is only permitted on the tarmacked areas of the park and the Tamsin Trail. Anywhere else risks a fine from the police.
• Be a gentleman. Guys, if a cyclist ahead of you appears to be a woman, avoid drafting. Being in close proximity to a male stranger could be disconcerting for that person.
• If you need to cough, sneeze or blow your nose, check to your side and behind. Use a handkerchief to avoid passing on germs.
• Never try to intimidate or confront a motorist, verbally or physically, even if you think they may be in the wrong. Report them instead – call 101 or use the Met’s online portal (bit.ly/metpolicereport). Dial 999 if you or anyone else is seriously injured or in danger
• Motorists can be frightened too, often because they fear they could harm you. So don’t tailgate (a distance of two bike lengths from the car in front of you is ideal) and filter carefully and respectfully through traffic so as not to startle. Even if you believe overtaking to be safe, do not do so if it could alarm the person you want to pass or oncoming road users.
• Expect to see vehicles on the closed roads, as many are authorised to be there.
• Listen to the park’s police. If you are addressed by an officer, comply with their direction. Not to do so is an offence under the park’s regulations. Other offences include riding in a manner that is likely to endanger any person, including the cyclist themself, and cycling recklessly which might interfere with visitors’ enjoyment of the park.
• Use lights at night. It is a legal requirement to have front and back lights when it is dark. As there is no street lighting in the park, please set your front beam to constant, rather than flashing. Make sure your light is dipped to avoid dazzling oncoming road users.
Groups and pairs
• We recommend restricting group size to six, depending on traffic conditions and the abilities of the individuals to ride compactly and safely in a group. Riding in large groups requires additional skills and makes overtaking challenging – both for you and others trying to pass you.
• Riding two abreast is permitted and safe, particularly in groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders. Do not ride more than two abreast.
• Consider riding single file. When riding in groups, be aware of the needs of other road users. Think about opting to ride single file if traffic builds up behind you, particularly when going uphill, and you believe it is safe for that traffic to overtake. If you are not certain that your group can overtake others and leave a 1.5 metre gap, ride in single file.
• Keep it down. Try to use verbal warnings of hazards only when necessary, or use common hand signals. Shouting instructions to others in your group can cause alarm to other road users – especially if they mistakenly think you are addressing them.
These are guidelines. For the full park regulations, part of which cover cycling in the park, see bit.ly/royalparksregs.