wafflycat said:
I think everyone who wants to hold a full driving licence should have, as part of the testing procedure, have to have a pedal cycle as their main form of transport for at least 12 months before being allowed anywhere near the controls of a motor vehicle.
Edit to add: WCMnr is learning to drive. It has been noted by his driving instructor that his risk-identification and hazard avoidance skills are very, very good - right from the very first lesson he had. Seems all those years of being a cyclist (leisure/commuting/competing) where he cycled on all roads from minor country lanes to 70mph dual carriageways has been of benefit.
No. If you want better drivers improve driving training. How many learners have WCMnr cycling dedication or experience? not many I'd suggest.
Motorbikes would be better too to match the speed of a car - jump from a bicycle to a car is an very big step and not realistic in terms of vehicle size or speed, both of which are big considerations in on the road spatial awareness - riding a bike for a year will not make you a year better as a motorist anymore than painting an apple orange will make it taste like an orange.
I can't remember my driving lessons and I've no doubt that 99.9% of people who have resentfully been forced to ride a bike simply to get a car licence will never set foot on pedal in anger again and will have forgotten everything they've learned on a bike by the time they've got to the point of being ready to take their driving test.
Also if I were that keen on driving I'd just drive illegally and take my chances - how many no tax disc, no insurance, no licence drivers are there already when you can go straight to a car?
That illegal number would go through the roof if people had another obstacle put in their way. With this idea e'd have far more unqualified drivers with absolutely no formal training whatsoever bombing about the roads. Things would be far more dangerous for everyone.
Maybe we should all have to ride a horse and walk to work for a year too. How about working as black cabbies or white van delivery drivers so we can understand the different way in which they have to use the road and the different awarenesses they need for their professional duties from us bog standard A to B drivers not on the lookout for the next fare to help pay the mortgage or delivery address.
My Mrs has never ridden a bike in her life (busy road and overprotective parents) however, of the two of us she is the better driver and has done her advanced driving course. By this logic she'd never have ever driven a car and I'd have been stuck driving rather than cycling as public transport for home to work is difficult and would mean 5am - 7pm days for one or both of us.
Edit - just for the record 2009: 5000+ cycled miles 200+ driven
