Cyclist Education - before purchasing bikes

Companies who endorse cycling by allowing their employees to partake in a cycle to work scheme should provide education on how to cycle on the road safely, before they are able to purchase a bike. This could be either funded by the company or by the council. This should give people basic road safety rules and ideas to ensure they are safe on the roads.

This could be extended to allow everyone who wishes to purchase a bike to go on an education course beforehand, once they have completed the course and have passed, people could show a certificate to a bike shop to prove they are competent before being allowed to purchase a bike and be on the road. This could be a bit like ensuring a driver has a valid driving licence before being allowed to drive a car.

For drivers, there could be a module attached to the theory test on how to safely manage cyclists on the road, with visual tests such as is currently done with the hazard perception, with different scenarios of cyclists.

Why the contribution is important

This could help to improve relations between cyclists and motorists on the roads. By making both parties aware on how to treat the road and each other, this could help stop accidents.

Most people are not given education for how to cycle safely on the road once leaving school, therefore I believe that by giving the right information to people before starting cycling, it will improve road safety.

by user637014 on November 27, 2013 at 01:14PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 2.5
Based on: 12 votes

Comments

  • Posted by user734334 November 28, 2013 at 16:25

    In Europe, or in particular in the Netherlands, kids have to a road safety exam when they are still in primary school. Perhaps this could be introduced in the UK as this would benefit all road users, not just cyclists.

  • Posted by user284173 November 28, 2013 at 20:45

    Very important that education is compulsory for both cyclists and motorists.

  • Posted by user637014 November 29, 2013 at 18:23

    I had a cycling proficieny test done before I could cycle to school when I was in year 4, around the age of 10. I don't think this is sufficient when people make the change to commuting to work in busy city centres as the traffic and challenges are much more dangerous.

  • Posted by user261867 January 03, 2014 at 22:09

    How about an alternative ...

    Companies who endorse walking by allowing their employees to partake in a walk to work scheme should provide education on how to walk on the road safely, before they are able to purchase shoes. This could be either funded by the company or by the council. This should give people basic road safety rules and ideas to ensure they are safe on the roads.

    Sorry why just cyclists!?!?!
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