How to make my son cycle on the road

[Sandra6]

My son is now fully converted to the joys of cycling - proof of this came today when he asked me to go to matalan with him (it's half a mile away) and then proceeded to get his bike out. "we're biking there?" I said, and he replied "I know it's not far, but it's always better to cycle"
Gotta love that boy!!
The only problem is he's terrified of the traffic (he's 19!) and left to his own devices will use the pavement, pet hate of mine.
When we go out together I make him ride on the road, cue him squealing like a girl when I ride out in front of cars at RAB's (not actually in front of cars, but you know what I mean) Then telling me to pull into the kerb when a car wants to pass and I'm in primary. Oh, and at the lights -on red- I'm on the road and he's on the pavement telling me he'd be there by now!
Coming home he suggested the long way home so we could use the traffic-free cycle path.
Is there a way I can persuade him the road isn't dangerous? It seems cycling with me is convincing him that it is. lol

 

[Archie_tect]

If he's not happy, don't force him...

 

[Arch]

If he's not happy, don't force him...

But I wouldn't want a 19 year old son of mine riding on the pavement!

Sandra, have you got a copy of Cyclecraft? Maybe he should read that. Does he drive? You could try telling him that roadcraft is an important skill to have (it is!) and if he reads the book and absorbs the advice, he'll be more confident. If he doesn't drive yet, then being a competent cyclist will improve his driving skills.

http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/

Failing that, tell him only toddlers ride on the pavement, and to MTFU....

 

[annedonnelly]

Sign him up for a bikeability course? He'll probably take more notice of an instructor than he does his mum!

 

[ThinAir]

But I wouldn't want a 19 year old son of mine riding on the pavement!

Sandra, have you got a copy of Cyclecraft? Maybe he should read that. Does he drive? You could try telling him that roadcraft is an important skill to have (it is!) and if he reads the book and absorbs the advice, he'll be more confident. If he doesn't drive yet, then being a competent cyclist will improve his driving skills.

http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/

Failing that, tell him only toddlers ride on the pavement, and to MTFU....

I am fully conversant with the Roadcraft manual... It's something I swear by (because I have to). I wasn't aware that cyclecraft existed, being a fairly recent convert to cycling and all that, so cheers @Arch for this, I'll look into it.

@Sandra6, as for the cycling on the footpath, it's not the best habit I'm the world, but there's nothing worse than being out of your comfort zone, particularly from confidence point of view, so for now this may be the safest option.

I'm certainly not condoning it, it's an offence (road traffic not criminal, before anyone jumps on me) that could cost him thirty quid each time if he keeps bumping into bobbies.

I'd recommend getting him out in the country.... Somewhere where there are no footpaths, and less traffic, see how he fairs. Good luck!

 

[steve52]

time for a cull

 

[Archie_tect]

But I wouldn't want a 19 year old son of mine riding on the pavement!

Sandra, have you got a copy of Cyclecraft? Maybe he should read that. Does he drive? You could try telling him that roadcraft is an important skill to have (it is!) and if he reads the book and absorbs the advice, he'll be more confident. If he doesn't drive yet, then being a competent cyclist will improve his driving skills.

http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/

Failing that, tell him only toddlers ride on the pavement, and to MTFU....

True, but I was thinking more of if he had an accident on the road because he's not comfortable in traffic.

 

[Sandra6]

I don't think there are any courses locally but I will check, the only ones I've seen are quite expensive, as well as difficult for him to get to. Thinking back, I'm sure he did bikeability at school though.
I did think about the cyclecraft book -also suggested he read the highway code, he doesn't drive, but it won't hurt him to be prepared in advance in case he decides to.
Getting further out, away from traffic, and pavements, is probably a good idea too.
I think it's just a habit he's got into, one he needs to get out of though!

 

[JtB]

Is there a way I can persuade him the road isn't dangerous?

But the road IS dangerous.

 

[Sara_H]

I don't think there are any courses locally but I will check, the only ones I've seen are quite expensive, as well as difficult for him to get to. Thinking back, I'm sure he did bikeability at school though.
I did think about the cyclecraft book -also suggested he read the highway code, he doesn't drive, but it won't hurt him to be prepared in advance in case he decides to.
Getting further out, away from traffic, and pavements, is probably a good idea too.
I think it's just a habit he's got into, one he needs to get out of though!

Our local authority provide all adults with free cycle training on applcation(not sure how long, some where between two and six hours).

In our our area they taylor it to your specific needs - it's worth looking into, there should be something similar where you live.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Dunno if pavement cycling is always bad.
Today on my commute into work there was an older chap, done part of my journey all on the pavement.
On my way home, another chap, not old but certainly older than 19, rode parallel to me the whole way after town, on the pavement, using the pedestrian lights to cross.
Because here on the outskirts of town we have large pavements barely used by pedestrians those two certainly did not do any harm.
At times those pavements become shared lanes anyway.
I think your son will soon acquire confidence once he discovers that taking the road is mostly quicker.
It will probably be a natural progression for him once he gets more confident.
Of course, cycling on the pavements of a busy city centre is a no no.

 

[Saluki]

What about a SKY ride? Generally on a Sunday, quiet roads with other people around too.

 

[Sandra6]

Saluki, we haven't had a single sky ride here in Carlisle. I emailed them and apparently it's because our council just isn't interested.
The closest one was ten miles away, I did consider it but couldn't go because of work in the end.

 

[Puddles]

Our council does a £5 lesson with a voucher for adults it might be worth peering and seeing if your council does similar?

 

[steve52]

But the road IS dangerous.

the road isnt, but other drivers can be