Teenagers test cycle training scheme
Teenagers are going round and round in circles as part of a scheme to make them better cyclists.
Council chiefs in Bath are keen to ensure the safety training provided to young cyclists in the city is among the best in the country.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has adopted the national Bikeability training standard, which is designed to give the next generation of cyclists the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on busy roads.
The scheme is the successor to the Cycling Proficiency Test and instructors in schools follow national guidelines set out by the Government agency Cycle England.
The scheme's Level 3 standard is being trialled at Beechen Cliff School and involves sessions on filter lanes and how to use roundabouts.
Council cabinet member for transport Cllr Charles Gerrish (Con, Keynsham North), said: "Encouraging more cycling is part of Bath and North East Somerset Council's efforts to improve transport and reduce car use across the district.
"One of the best ways to achieve this is instructing people from a young age about how to cycle on the road safely and responsibly.
"The council's achievement of Bikeability status shows how important we consider our aim to be amongst some of the top providers of cycling training in the country. "Council staff have worked hard to achieve this."
The council also provides pedestrian safety training for primary age children.
2 Comments
by Howard Cain, Somerset
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 3:14PM
“Victoria, couldn't agree more. It's good to see that cycle training is getting some good publicity. It would be really good to see cycle training made part of the national curriculum so that every child leaves primary school with a cycling qualification. It would be even better to make a cycling qualification a pre-requisite for a provisional driving licence, but I suspect that would be a little too much for your average Brit to swallow at this stage! ;-)
Sadly Britain is way behind the rest of Northern Europe in taking the bicycle seriously as a valid mode of transport; our leaders would do well to take note and make efforts to catch up.
Doubtless the usual anti-cycling Jeremiahs will be commenting shortly with same old moans, indicating that it is not only the leadership that just don't get it.
Pedal Ready!”
by Victoria Walker, Bath
Monday, February 02 2009, 11:42AM
“I'm glad to hear the council wants to encourage more cycling. I hope this can stretch to some dedicated cycle lanes throughout the city. Cycle training will never be a substitute for a safe environment for cyclists. Cycle-friendly towns in Belgium and the Netherlands are proof that dedicated cycle lanes will encourage more cycling by young and old alike and have a positive impact on congestion and pollution.”