Should learning to drive include cycle training?

[Arch]

In the fast cars/country lanes thread, I've suggested (among others) that the driver training process should include a period of cycling or cycle training to make people aware of what it's like to be on a bike. Someone disagrees.

Vote now (once I've got the poll up....)

 

[tdr1nka]

Without a doubt.

Learn to drive a car, in a car but learn your road skills and highway code as a cyclist.

Simple.

 

[ComedyPilot]

See how your potential victims feel.

 

[MajorMantra]

Good idea in theory, but I doubt it'll happen.

Matthew

 

[gaz]

I answered yes, but this probably isn't a practical solution.

 

[montage]

No. I am learning to drive, I don't want to attend a cycling course as well.
What about people with knee/back issues, they aren't allowed to drive because they can't ride a bike?
People that cannot afford a bike and are struggling to keep onto of driving fees as it is?
People that cannot ride a bike as it is? They have to learn to ride a bike then ride a car?
Who would monitor their bike riding?




A really really good theory, and would be great if there were no hitches, unfortunately, there are far too many impracticalities

 

[Arch]

I don't see why not.

You apply for your provisional licence. You are sent details of a local cycle trainer. You train for and pass a Bikeability test, and the trainer gives the ok to the DVLA, who send you your provisional licence.

Needs plenty of cycle trainers, but that's no bad thing. Anyone on here who is a cycle trainer, how long does it take to pass Bikeability 3?

But no, it would interfere with the basic human right to just get in you car and do what you want....

Obviously, there would be systems to cope with those with disabilities that prevent them cycling, just as they presumably have to learn in adapted cars as it is.

 

[darkstar]

A pole about cycling being made compulsory on a cycling forum inhabited by... cyclists. Wonder what the result we be!?
This really didn't need it's own thread, unless you are that desperate to group everyone together to prove me wrong....

 

[Arch]

No. I am learning to drive, I don't want to attend a cycling course as well.
What about people with knee/back issues, they aren't allowed to drive because they can't ride a bike?

Specially adapted bikes or trikes, or some sort of exemption based on an enhanced hazard perception test.

People that cannot afford a bike and are struggling to keep onto of driving fees as it is?

Loan bikes for the duration.

People that cannot ride a bike as it is? They have to learn to ride a bike then ride a car?

It's possible, assuming no balance disabilites, to learn to ride a bike in an afternoon, with the right method.

Who would monitor their bike riding?

Bikeability trainers, obviously.

 

[rh100]

It's all there in the Highway Code already isn't it? The main thing being give cyclists room. It's clearly not emphasised enough in training and testing though. Why add another process to it when the existing stuff isn't done right?

 

[Arch]

A pole about cycling being made compulsory on a cycling forum inhabited by... cyclists. Wonder what the result we be!?
This really didn't need it's own thread, unless you are that desperate to group everyone together to prove me wrong....

Poll dear, poll. I'll decide what I post on, thanks.

We'll move onto compulsory English lessons later....

 

[Wigsie]

No offence Arch, but IMO its not an issue of cycling experience or experiencing the potential dangers...

Its a personality/attitude thing. If those A holes that endanger lives in cars rode bikes more they would more than likely endanger the lives of children on the pavements on their BSO's too.

What would you do with them then? give them walking lessons?

 

[Arch]

No offence Arch, but IMO its not an issue of cycling experience or experiencing the potential dangers...

Its a personality/attitude thing. If those A holes that endanger lives in cars rode bikes more they would more than likely endanger the lives of children on the pavements on their BSO's too.

What would you do with them then? give them walking lessons?

<Armstrong and Miller mode>

"Kill them...."

Yes, it's there in the Highway Code. But I think most people aren't vindictive, they are just lazy and un-empathetic. Put them on a bike, and have a few close passes and they might just start to understand what the HC means by giving cyclists enough room. Have a few left hooks or pulling-out-from-a-side-road-in-front-of-you and you'll understand how fast a bike can go.

 

[rh100]

<Armstrong and Miller mode>

"Kill them...."

Yes, it's there in the Highway Code. But I think most people aren't vindictive, they are just lazy and un-empathetic. Put them on a bike, and have a few close passes and they might just start to understand what the HC means by giving cyclists enough room. Have a few left hooks or pulling-out-from-a-side-road-in-front-of-you and you'll understand how fast a bike can go.

And so increasing the death and injury rate of cyclists then, putting people with no interest in cycling other than to get their driving licence doesn't seem a good idea really.

 

[Wigsie]

<Armstrong and Miller mode>

"Kill them...."

Yes, it's there in the Highway Code. But I think most people aren't vindictive, they are just lazy and un-empathetic. Put them on a bike, and have a few close passes and they might just start to understand what the HC means by giving cyclists enough room. Have a few left hooks or pulling-out-from-a-side-road-in-front-of-you and you'll understand how fast a bike can go.

I am starting to worry about you? are you a closet facist dictator?

The problem still, is those lazy and un-empathetic ones, once you have forced them to do a cycling course they will not adhere to any of it (on account of the laziness) and ride on the pavements, leading us back to my original point, leading us on to you ordering their death.

As we are inherently a lazy nation you will be Killing a LOT of people...

Are you ready to commit mass genocide Arch? are you?