National cycle training for all - a good idea?

patchy

So: over the last week we've had a fella fined £2,200 for riding at 17mph on the pavement (allegedly) and killing a teenage girl, along with a minor resurgence of the helmet./no helmet debate thanks to Boris.

Add to that the general press sniping, as well as increase in number of fair weather commuters who, to be frank, can be a danger to themselves and others. Cyclists aren't exactly flavour of the month amongst the wider public right now, are we?

I suspect that a lot of the bad press surrounding us cyclists could actually be sorted out with a bit of investment from Her Madge's Govt – in the form of good cyclecraft training for all..OK, they're ploughing money into this bikeability scheme for kids, but what about adults? I'm not talking about a driving test for bikes, but a voluntary, evening or weekend course explaining the principles of good cyclecraft, the dangers, the law and 'the grey areas'

I know things like this exist, but as far as i can tell they're pretty ad hoc and poorly resourced - done by local communities and chairities. Do you think that providing training on a serious, properly marketed and resourced scale would be effective in improving cyclecraft in general – and thereby deflecting the wider world's/middle england's criticisms of cyclists? Do you think that anyone would turn up? Would you?

(edited for typos... :oops: )

Belv

Probably not. My years of road use spread across three types of vehicle have left me with my own set of 'rules' regarding the how best to use them. I am not always right and don't know everything but i know that a number of my 'rules' do not entirely agree with the highway code so i don't think that a course teaching me how-to-pass-my-driving-test again would get through my thick skull (or undo years of experience).

Aidanw

Instead of a driving test there should be a road use test, sure learn to drive, but at the same time get out on a bike and feel what it is like to ride in traffic. I would force a white van element and fast motorway driving elements too.

Cost though would make such things impossible.

daniel_b

Myself and my gf would attend - we had a look online recently, and your right, it's all aimed at kids, and nothing for adults, which I found very dissapointing.

We'd obviously be prepared to pay if it was a good, beneficial course.

Dan

ChrisLS

...I am a trained cycling instructor, recently qualified, will be going live soon. I would like to teach adults...I think there is a great need for adults to learn road skills. We have a whole generation now, many of whom have never ridden a bike. This may be one of the reasons for the poor driving skills we see now as people do not ride a bike when they are young and get some experience of the roads.

patchy

y'see, i'm wondering if you could incentivise people to do a course like this: perhaps hold it in partnership with cycle accessories suppliers, and offer all attendees a free lock, lights, helmet or suchlike – relatively inexpensive but useful accessories.You could also get LBSs and chains like Evans, Halfords etc involved - advertise the courses at POS.

I didn't consider payment – envisaged it as a free thing to get more people in – but maybe there's a possibility of two levels of training - the 'basic' which is free and an advanced for which you pay a nominal fee.You could even combine the advanced with a wee bit of basic bike maintenance... hmm. The key issue is whether your average joe would actually turn up, though.

I'm not affiliated to anyone or actively planning anything like this, by the way.. just kicking around some ideas...

sweepy

you should get in touch with your local council, quite a few offer adult cycle training. I know mine does.