Cardiff Road Safety Centre

Child Cycle Training in Cardiff

	School's Cycling Proficiency Programme Each year in Cardiff more than 1,500 children participate in on and off-road cyclist training courses. Trainees are introduced to the Highway Code for Young Road Users, learn about cycle maintenance, conspicuity and the wearing of protective headgear.

Child cycling courses aim:

• To reduce the number of child cyclists injured in Cardiff every year.
• Create an awareness of the need and importance of cycle training/education.
• To develop observation and manoeuvrability skills.
• To encourage the use of protective clothing and headgear.
• To prepare younger riders for on-road training.
• To highlight to parents the importance of cycle training.

Child Cyclist Holiday Courses 2008

In addition to these school-based courses, a number of courses are also held during the school holiday periods at the Road Safety Centre in North Road, Gabalfa for pupils who are unable to receive training at their school.

Each course commences on the dates shown, runs for the period specified, is free of charge and open to all children aged nine years and above who possess their own bike. The course includes basic practical riding skills, knowledge of the Highway Code, basic cycle checks and advice on the wearing of protective equipment.  Following health and safety advice, the wearing of a cycle helmet is now compulsory.

On road cyclist training 

Young cyclists from a number of Primary and Secondary Schools in Cardiff are being trained on public roads.

The six-week training course which has been organised by the Road Safety Unit is designed to help develop practical riding, safety and awareness skills, and will provide an important early foundation for our future drivers and riders.

Research undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), has shown that young riders benefit more from on-road training, which can aid the development of the necessary decision making skills, which are needed to cope with modern traffic.

Training is conducted on quiet local roads, in close proximity to the school, where simple manoeuvres such as left and right turns, overtaking a parked car etc, can be carried out. To be eligible for training, all pupils should have completed a cyclist training course (where available) and have reached the age of 10.

Pupils progress will be constantly monitored through a process of continuous assessment, and upon completion of the course the young riders will be awarded a certificate of achievement.

For further details please contact:

Road Safety Centre
North Road
Cardiff
CF14 3BL
Tel: 2061 9907/8

rso2@cardiff.gov.uk

Please be aware that we are unable to provide cyclist training for non-riders.
Training for both adults and children with little confidence or no experience in riding a bike is available during the summer months from:

	Maindy Swimming Pool and Cycle Track Crown Way off North Road Cardiff CF14 3AJ Tel: 2052 9230

http://www.maindyflyers.com

Rules for cyclists

Before starting off, turning right or left, overtaking, or stopping, you must look behind and make sure it is safe and then if necessary give a clear arm signal to show what you intend to do.

You must not ride on the pavement unless there are special signs allowing you to do so.

When you get on your cycle look all round for traffic, then when it is safe to move off, cycle away.

Always keep both hands on the handlebars unless you are signalling or changing gears.

When turning from one road into another, pedestrians who are crossing that road have the right of way, so give way.

You must obey traffic light signals made by police officers, traffic wardens or school crossing patrols.

You must not hold onto a vehicle or another cyclist.

You must not carry a passenger on you cycle unless it is specially designed to do so.

You should never lead an animal whilst cycling.

Watch out for traffic doing unexpected things.

If riding with others on a busy or narrow roads, you should ride one behind the other. Never ride more than two side by side.

Always ride far enough from the edge of the road to avoid drains and gutters.

If you want to turn right from a busy road, it is safer to STOP on the left hand side before or after the junction and wait for a safe gap in the traffic, before walking with your cycle across the road.

You should not wear a personal stereo whilst cycling or use a mobile phone.

Only overtake when you are certain it is safe to do so. If you are overtaking parked vehicles, watch out for them starting off while you are doing so, look out for car doors opening or pedestrians crossing near to them. You should also look for traffic coming towards you.