Cycle Training

Kids Out - July 2000

Pedal Power

Four wheels bad, two wheels good?
Andrew Shields wheels out the why, where and how of brilliant bike riding.
… The British Medical Association last year called for compulsory training and subsidised helmets for children in an attempt to cut the toll of death and injury on our roads. The BMA also asked for a free helmet to be supplied with every new bike, and that driver awareness of cyclists should be made a standard part of the driving test. However the BMA stopped short of requesting a new law to make the wearing of helmets compulsory, as it is for motorbike riders.
Established in 1998, Cycle Training offers tuition for all ages, with the emphasis on assertive cycling and effective road use under realistic conditions.

'We introduce our trainees to the road as soon as possible', says Vicky Carnegy. 'We recognise the futility of training people under completely simulated conditions that they won't encounter in life.'

The organisation prefers to teach children in conjunction with their parents - not only in the hope that the whole family will take up cycling, but also in order to rationalise fears.
'We teach parents techniques for riding protectively, empowering them to give their children the practice they need. Involving parents reinforces the idea that cycling is not merely a play activity, and breaks down the idea that bikes are for children and cars are for adults.'

Cycle Training works with schools and youth groups as well as with families and individuals, and has achieved particular success at Waverley Girls School in Peckham. There pupils in years 7,8 and 9 are being encouraged to cycle to school regularly, while cycle training is among optional activities for the whole school every Wednesday afternoon. With subsidy from Southwark Council, seven primary schools have also benefited from introductory road riding courses.