Cycling lessons for learner drivers petition

[Arch]

I think its a great idea.

Unfortunatley, it's both impractival and unrealistic to facilitate. And in responce YES it would be great to include walking lessons for peds, rider lessons for motorcyclists, HGV lessons, buses, taxis... etc etc. within the driver test.

But that is impossible to acheive and ridiculous to expect.

Its a shame though as the more awareness we all have of the challanges we each face on any mode of transport, the better.

Yes I agree. Although I think I'd second "impossible to achieve", but not "ridiculous to expect". We ought to expect all road users to have very good awareness of and consideration for all others. We've simply allowed standards to drop to suit the lowest common denominator.

And actually, how hard would it be to facilitate? Before you get to take your first driving lesson, or perhaps before you can apply for a provisional licence, so you have to produce proof, you have to attend an hour session with a trainer. A brief talk, and some road experience. Can't ride a bike? You get a whole hour of talk/film etc. Or a tricycle. Disabled? Then again, the talk/films etc. It needn't even be one to one. So it costs the learner an extra £20. £20, against a life, potentially.

I think it would be good if before you can even get in a car, you've had someone official say to you "Look, this is a serious business, you don't muck about, you could kill someone". I think it really doesn't occur to some people, who might stop to think more if it was made explicit. Ideally, it should be drummed in from school age, in readiness. Too many people treat driving as an innate right, to do how they please.

 

[mcshroom]

My worry about this idea would be that it would instill a mindset that a bike is just a stepping stone to getting a car, and thus cyclists are those who can't afford/are unable to attain a car licence rather than that they are cycling out of choice.

It would be pretty similar to the way that many of the motorcyclists I'e worked with have seen <125cc bikes as just learner bikes to ride until you can get a real one.

 

[Arch]

My worry about this idea would be that it would instill a mindset that a bike is just a stepping stone to getting a car, and thus cyclists are those who can't afford/are unable to attain a car licence rather than that they are cycling out of choice.

But I reckon some of them see it that way anyway - look at the whole 'I pay road tax' issue - they assume a cyclist has no car to pay 'road tax' on. Sod them. I know why I cycle, and I don't care why anyone else thinks I cycle, as long as they have the courtesy to avoid killing me.

 

[jonny jeez]

I think it would be good if before you can even get in a car, you've had someone official say to you "Look, this is a serious business, you don't muck about, you could kill someone".

When I took my initial motorcycle course, the first half an hour was dedicated to explaining the risks of the motorcycle I was about to learn to use. The discsussion was about carelessness, over confidence and showing off and also set out some pretty grim stats.


It was pretty frightening and thought provoking stuff

We didnt then go onto the roads and practivce these points to see if they were right, but took them on board because the examiner/instructor had no agenda other than our own safety.

So I agree, a clear, well set out discussion from a professional body could well do the trick.

Perhaps a "Road-user Awareness day" should be part of the test requirements (extra revenue for the DOT!). Imagine how helpful it would be knowing that all drivers "knew" that primary was a legitimate position, that all motorcyclist's knew that the ASL is for bikes only and that both knew that a cyclist should be passed with as much space as any other vehicle on the road.

 

[wildjetskier]

When I took my initial motorcycle course, the first half an hour was dedicated to explaining the risks of the motorcycle I was about to learn to use. The discsussion was about carelessness, over confidence and showing off and also set out some pretty grim stats.


It was pretty frightening and thought provoking stuff

We didnt then go onto the roads and practivce these points to see if they were right, but took them on board because the examiner/instructor had no agenda other than our own safety.

So I agree, a clear, well set out discussion from a professional body could well do the trick.

Perhaps a "Road-user Awareness day" should be part of the test requirements (extra revenue for the DOT!). Imagine how helpful it would be knowing that all drivers "knew" that primary was a legitimate position, that all motorcyclist's knew that the ASL is for bikes only and that both knew that a cyclist should be passed with as much space as any other vehicle on the road.

Totally agree

I am now a more considerate and careful driver since having my bike licence, I now, even with blind spot mirrors, carry out a "life saver",a and it has saved a couple of accidents, even with BSMirrors.

 

[growingvegetables]

Perhaps a "Road-user Awareness day" should be part of the test requirements (extra revenue for the DOT!). Imagine how helpful it would be knowing that all drivers "knew" that primary was a legitimate position, that all motorcyclist's knew that the ASL is for bikes only and that both knew that a cyclist should be passed with as much space as any other vehicle on the road.

Quick gut reaction? I LIKE it.

It's not a (silly?) computer game involving mouse clicks, and it's much more than just being aware of hazards that might "slow the driver down". It could be about respect, and learning respect for, other road users.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Not a good idea! The best thing is to introduce more awareness of cyclists into the test - particularly educate young male chavs as to why it is dangerous rather than "funny" to deliberately close-pass a cyclist. Also, drum firmly into learner driver's heads that there is no such thing as road tax and that bikes have just as much right to be on the road as cars. Those two additions would be far more productive than making people take cycling lessons. What if they are disabled or infirm and can't ride a bike?

I couldn't agree more. Two things which would make motorists share the roads better with cyclists are more awareness of (a) the cyclist-related road rules and (b) driving safely around cyclists. The same principle applies anywhere.

Over here in Melbourne, having had an annual increase in the percentage of total commuters using bicycles, there's considerable resentment amongst the motoring fraternity directed towards cyclists (and I guess the same is true in the UK?). Anything that prevents (reduces?) such resentment before people even get their driver's licence is a good thing.

 

[jonny jeez]

Quick gut reaction? I LIKE it.

It's not a (silly?) computer game involving mouse clicks, and it's much more than just being aware of hazards that might "slow the driver down". It could be about respect, and learning respect for, other road users.

and...having taught this "respect" we could enforce it into society by making it law..ie, the crime of showing disrespect to another road user.

actually...come to think of it, forget the road we should have a new law... "failure to show respect for another". Minimum sentance, 12 week's unpaid work at Great Ormond Street...that would teach a few of us a little about mutual respect

 

[Judderz]

New Laws for New Drivers:

Cycle/Motor Cycle Awareness Course - Lesson, Film, Pics, Stats, Test
Normal Car Theory
Normal Car Practical

The first 2 years - Not allowed to drive anything above a 1.0 Litre Engine Car, Must have' P' plates (an Aussie thing I know) for the 1st 12 months
The next 12 months, Not allowed to drive anything over a 1.2 litre engine car
The next 12 months, Not allowed to drive anything over a 1.4 litre engine car

After 5 years of driving, another practical test is taken, with a refresher course if needs be.

If this is extra cost on new 'young' motorists, then so be it, respect for other orad users has to be instilled somewhere.

For 'more experienced' drivers, if someone is found to be driving dangerously, 3 accidents or more per year (their fault), 2 motoring convictions per year, (add your own serious vehice offences here), then an intensive course of theory and a further practical test.

More cost might be a deterrent to people with aggressive, disrespectful and ignorant behaviour and would hopefully instill respect to other road users.

 

[PK99]

The first 2 years - Not allowed to drive anything above a 1.0 Litre Engine Car,
The next 12 months, Not allowed to drive anything over a 1.2 litre engine car
The next 12 months, Not allowed to drive anything over a 1.4 litre engine car

ROFLMAATO!

 

[sabian92]

An even better idea would be to make learner drivers sit on a static bike and then make a few HGV's drive past them at 80mph a foot from their arse and see how they like it. They won't do it after that! I can attest from experience an HGV at any speed is bloody terrifying a foot from my knuckle.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Nice idea, but some people are still going to be obvilious to the world outsie the car or just b*st*rds who like being b*st*rds.

 

[Ellis456]

The engine size thing would never work, what about turboed 1.0's etc?, undeclared engine mod's?. Most modern 1.4's are as powerful as the old 1.8 and 2.0's etc, someone that could only afford an old 1.0 compared to a rich kid with a new 1.0 wouldnt be fair. What about motorbikes?. thats another world!.

 

[mcshroom]

I think the road-user education day would be a good idea.

I'd extend it to information about HGV blind spots and stopping distances, Motrobike awareness and the hazards of buses and trams. Rather than being a bike safety day it would then cover many areas where drivers do silly things out of ignorance.

While on the topic a bit of pedestrian safety might not go a miss either.

 

[growingvegetables]

I'd extend it to information about HGV blind spots and stopping distances, Motrobike awareness and the hazards of buses and trams.

+1