Petition: Kids being taught compulsary cycling skills at school

[Boris Bajic]

I voted no, before reading the revision of the title wording. I might still be a 'no' even with it.

As soon as the provision of something becomes compulsory, it loses some of its allure and there is a danger that some drudgery will creep in.

As with table manners, social skills, use of the lavatory and other things, I think this task falls better to the parent.

Two of my children did a course at school (and it was very good) but it reinforced rather than taught. Both had been riding on the road for some time before they took the course. They enjoyed it; it was fun. But they knew nothing their untutored sibling didn't know at the same age.

If a child is going to cycle, encouragement will come from home and (probably) from peers.

Similarly, road skills may be better taught over months and years by a parent or similar than by an unknown stranger to a group in a few short sessions.

It's a nice thought in a Babar the Elephant sort of way, but beneath his smiles, Babar is little short of a fascist. Did I really say that?

 

[sidevalve]

In as much as it might help them when they become drivers [and yes most of them will] to A - read and understand the road conditions better and B - grasp other peoples needs and problems on the road then maybe a good idea. Years ago [not really that many] the natural way was bicycle - m/cycle - car. Now the first two steps are very often missed out, kids going from toy tricycles to mum's car to their own car and have no concept of roadcraft of vehicle control, hence the number of not evil but simple ignorant drivers.

 

[Mugshot]

As soon as the provision of something becomes compulsory, it loses some of its allure and there is a danger that some drudgery will creep in.

As with table manners, social skills, use of the lavatory and other things, I think this task falls better to the parent.

I like these two sentences together, I have held the belief for some time that table manners, social skills and use of the lavatory (not to mention other things) have become tedious and should therefore not be compulsory. I'm glad to see that others agree with me, thank you Boris. Vive la revolution.

 

[Boris Bajic]

I like these two sentences together, I have held the belief for some time that table manners, social skills and use of the lavatory (not to mention other things) have become tedious and should therefore not be compulsory. I'm glad to see that others agree with me, thank you Boris. Vive la revolution.

There I was, trying to slap a petard on the castle gate, when... BLAM!!

 

[perplexed]

If one is voting for compulsion, how do we square this with the hundreds of other things which other groups equally believe should be taught in schools? They are as equally convinced that their project/passion/belief is an absolute priority too.

Teachers do not start at 0900 and finish at 1530. Not by a long shot. And even if they're not actually doing the teaching bit, there's still the knock on effect. All these pre-school/after school things are on top of their work. Not to mention the hours of work they do at home on a daily basis.

 

[GrasB]

'Available to all' rather than 'compulsory'. But yes.

^^ he said it best!

 

[growingvegetables]

If one is voting for compulsion, how do we square this with the hundreds of other things which other groups equally believe should be taught in schools? They are as equally convinced that their project/passion/belief is an absolute priority too.

Teachers do not start at 0900 and finish at 1530. Not by a long shot. And even if they're not actually doing the teaching bit, there's still the knock on effect. All these pre-school/after school things are on top of their work. Not to mention the hours of work they do at home on a daily basis.

Ummmmm - try calling up the Bikeability qualified cycle trainers employed by your local council? They get paid to come along and do it!

 

[Vapin' Joe]

A waste of time.

Kids learn to ride a bike without tuition, and if anyone thinks they will go out on the road and ride in a different fashion to how they naturally do because someone in a beard told them it's not cool to ride no-hands they don't understand kids.

 

[mickle]

A waste of time.

Kids learn to ride a bike without tuition, and if anyone thinks they will go out on the road and ride in a different fashion to how they naturally do because someone in a beard told them it's not cool to ride no-hands they don't understand kids.

A comment which proves that you know precisely sh!t all about the National Standards for Cycle Training.

 

[Bigsharn]

Cycling: no
Highway Code: Yes.

 

[Ron-da-Valli]

In my day it was called " The National Cycling Proficency Test". I passed it on my tenth birthday, many years ago and sadly I still have the certificate to prove it! I should take it with me on every ride to show to any motorist who complains about my cycling.

 

[Boris Bajic]

A comment which proves that you know precisely sh!t all about the National Standards for Cycle Training.

Not necessarily. Smokin' Joe makes his point more bluntly than I would, but to an extent I agree.

Two of my three children had cycle training at primary school. It was good and they enjoyed it, but I'm not sure they learned anything they didn't know. I think they did it in Year 5 or 6, when they'd already been cycling on the road for some time.

I am a product of the old Cycling Proficiency (my mother was a trainer/examiner or similar).

There is an extent to which the current training is dinner-party cake icing for pushy middle-class parents. That is not an absolute, but to an extent it is so.

It was fun for my children and to an extent it reinforced some points they'd already learned, but to the school it was another tick in another box (I was a governor and ran the PTA).

Those of my children's peers who already cycled on the road still ride there. Those who were timid, protected children who hadn't ridden prior to the training did not ride after it, either. These children are now between 14 and 20. I see them often and in many cases I know the families.

I do not want to pretend that the evidence of one Primary School in one small town makes a statistically significant point, but the truth I've seen is rather closer to SJ's view than most.

Cycle training for children is fun and lovely and progressive and super and ebb-solutely what one's children need ett thett age... But as a practical tool to make children better cyclists it can be blinded by its own very enthusiastic PR.

Had it been available for my third child, he's have had it too, but it is not a panacea and it is not a silver bullet. And in many cases it has no effect at all.