From: JNugent on
Steve Firth wrote:
> Tom Crispin <kije.remove(a)this.bit.freeuk.com.munge> wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 6 Jul 2008 00:00:22 +0100, %steve%@malloc.co.uk (Steve Firth)
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Perhaps they should
>>> be made to sit a test before being allowed on the roads?
>> With a little modification, a great idea. One of Cycling England's
>> objectives is that every primary child should have the opportunity to
>> take Bikeability Levels 1 and 2.
>
> Excellent. Let us hope that the selection of instructors is improved and
> that individuals who perform careless overtaking manouevers and who
> advocate passing red lights are are excluded from teaching.

Especially the latter. I understand that Googling job applicants is now
rouitine in some circles. Googling the pontifications of would-be
driving/riding instructors (especially checking their attitude to the
law) seems to be more justified than in many other situations).
From: JNugent on
Tom Crispin wrote:

> Chris Bartram <news(a)delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote:
>> Tom Crispin wrote:
>>> %steve%@malloc.co.uk (Steve Firth) wrote:

>>>> Perhaps they should
>>>> be made to sit a test before being allowed on the roads?

>>> With a little modification, a great idea. One of Cycling England's
>>> objectives is that every primary child should have the opportunity to
>>> take Bikeability Levels 1 and 2.

>>> Thanks to the local scheme I run, 285 children in Lewisham have passed
>>> Bikeability Levels 1 and 2 before their 11th birthday. Of the 7 who
>>> chose not to take the course I suspect most will never ride a bike.

>> Is the old cycling proficiency scheme still going? I did that aged 10-11
>> at primary school and IMHO it really made a difference.

> It has been greatly enhanced.

> Level 1 Bikeability - bicycle control skills in the school playground
> Level 2 Bikeability - on-road cycling skills using quieter roads
> Level 3 Bikeability - cycling using busier roads and complex junctions

> The age guidelines I use are:
> Level 1 - Age 6
> Level 2 - Age 8
> Level 3 - Age 10

> This is lower than Cycling England recommend - which is one year older
> for all levels.

> I am in the process of setting up a modular format course for Level 3
> Bikeability, with five 2 hour learning modules and four 2 or 3 hour
> modules and a two day cycle tour.

> LEARNING MODULES
> 1. using mini roundabouts
> 2. using traffic light junctions
> 3. cycling in slow moving traffic
> 4. using multi-lane roads
> 5. using major roundabouts

> EXPERIENCE MODULES
> 1. bikes security and repairs
> 2. route planning
> 3. using cycle facilities
> 4. cycling at night
> 5. cycle touring

> To pass Level 3 young cyclists will have to pass each of the learning
> modules, which can be re-taken, and have completed each of the
> experience modules. As well as this, they will be expected to keep a
> log of personal cycling experience.
> www.johnballcycling.org.uk/misc/logbook

Are they taught about road traffic law as it applies to cycling?

No, it isn't mentioned above.
From: Tom Crispin on
On Sun, 6 Jul 2008 12:52:55 +0100, "Brimstone"
<brimstone520-ng03(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>>> A competent driving instructor would not put himself in that
>>> situation.
>>
>> Really? How, exactly?
>
>You're the instructor. Work it out.

I see... You can't answer the question.
From: Periander on
JNugent <JN(a)NPPTG.com> wrote in news:aMadndgY3
_Dkre3VnZ2dnUVZ8tLinZ2d(a)pipex.net:

>
> I'm sure that what you say is correct - but everyone - including
> cyclists - is still under a duty to try to avoid an open door.

I would argue that every person on a road has a duty to act safely and not
to the danger of other road users, whether it is the pedestrian looking
before stepping out, the car driver making sure that it is safe to open his
door or move off or even the hated cyclist actually not believing that that
the law does not apply to him and that he is free to do whatever he likes
....

--

Regards,

Periander
From: Tom Crispin on
On Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:15:50 GMT, Chris Bartram
<news(a)delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote:

>Tom Crispin wrote:
>> On Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:08:33 GMT, Chris Bartram
>> <news(a)delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Tom Crispin wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 6 Jul 2008 00:00:22 +0100, %steve%@malloc.co.uk (Steve Firth)
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Perhaps they should
>>>>> be made to sit a test before being allowed on the roads?
>>>> With a little modification, a great idea. One of Cycling England's
>>>> objectives is that every primary child should have the opportunity to
>>>> take Bikeability Levels 1 and 2.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks to the local scheme I run, 285 children in Lewisham have passed
>>>> Bikeability Levels 1 and 2 before their 11th birthday. Of the 7 who
>>>> chose not to take the course I suspect most will never ride a bike.
>>> Is the old cycling proficiency scheme still going? I did that aged 10-11
>>> at primary school and IMHO it really made a difference.
>>
>> It has been greatly enhanced.
>>
>> Level 1 Bikeability - bicycle control skills in the school playground
>> Level 2 Bikeability - on-road cycling skills using quieter roads
>> Level 3 Bikeability - cycling using busier roads and complex junctions
>>
>> The age guidelines I use are:
>> Level 1 - Age 6
>> Level 2 - Age 8
>> Level 3 - Age 10
>>
>> This is lower than Cycling England recommend - which is one year older
>> for all levels.
>>
>> I am in the process of setting up a modular format course for Level 3
>> Bikeability, with five 2 hour learning modules and four 2 or 3 hour
>> modules and a two day cycle tour.
>>
>> LEARNING MODULES
>> 1. using mini roundabouts
>> 2. using traffic light junctions
>> 3. cycling in slow moving traffic
>> 4. using multi-lane roads
>> 5. using major roundabouts
>>
>> EXPERIENCE MODULES
>> 1. bikes security and repairs
>> 2. route planning
>> 3. using cycle facilities
>> 4. cycling at night
>> 5. cycle touring
>>
>> To pass Level 3 young cyclists will have to pass each of the learning
>> modules, which can be re-taken, and have completed each of the
>> experience modules. As well as this, they will be expected to keep a
>> log of personal cycling experience.
>> www.johnballcycling.org.uk/misc/logbook
>Is this government sponsored? Who finances it? It sounds very complete-
>is it part of a nationwide effort?

Cycling England fund Bikeability in England except London. Transport
for London fund Bikeability in London. The Welsh Assembly have just
announced they will fund Bikeability in Wales. I do not believe that
Bikeability is funded nationwide in Scotland ot Northern Ireland.

For the past three years I have been financed by Transport for London.
Unfortunately, that funding stream seems to have dried up for small
groups, the money going to the Road Safety Officers in the London
Boroughs instead. The level 3 initiative is being funded by the
London Cycling Campaign, but I have no funding at the moment to
continue with the Level 1 and 2 training from September.

Health, transport, sport and youth services are all possible sources
of funding.