What to do with kids on bikes?

[Bicycle]

I think there is an element here of Darwin's theory keeping the breeding stock strong and clever.

It may be nature's way.

Having said that (and not wanting to souind hypocritical) I recall that aged 13 or so I rode into school through SE1 (Stamford Street, Waterloo etc) and in the London rush hour I'd pass cars on alternate sides: One to the left side, one to the right; one to the left, one to the right....

At that age I watched CHiPs and I think I might have imagined I was on an Interstate riding a Police-spec Z1000.

I survived.

I think that if any concerned adult had had the temerity to question my wisdom, I'd have used bad language in response...

My mother was a Cycling Proficiency trainer and I was very well taught.... I just think there may be an age when we are inclined to test Darwin's theories.

With that admission out of the way, I'm still shocked by the OP's experiences.

 

[515mm]

It really does depend on what yoof you come across*

Had to bollock an entire family on a shared use cyclepath a week or so ago - Ma and Pa Gormless with three kids and three dogs all fast cruising towards us enjoying the tailwind.

Adults, kids and dogs all over the place, amazingly arrogant behaviour- dogs behaving like the pack animals they are and thoroughly enjoying themselves - till one runs out in front of me and Little Miss. Good job she has the reactions of a cat and stopped just in time.

I ask them to show some sense and put the dogs on their leads. The only one out of the five of them to apologise is number one son. So I thanked him and pointed out that the onus of responsibility really did lay with the adults in the party. Cue red faces from Ma and Pa Kettle. And a sly smirk from numer one son............














*yes, I know.

 

[iAmiAdam]

Don't tar us all with the same brush please, that'd be ironic and hypocritical.

I follow traffic laws perfectly well and have played GTA.

All the Junior riders I've ridden with have been good too. Never had a problem. I think the line needs to be drawn at who's a serious cyclist and who's your standard person on a bike.

In all honesty, if your standard teenager thinks they can drive or ride as they do in games, they probably shouldn't be outside on their own as they'd be a danger to everyone.

I don't play GTA anymore anyway, far too unrealistic. It's all about the simulators.

 

[400bhp]

Spot on Adam.

Clearly the 2 cohorts (serious bikers and standard person) are going to ride differently in the way you describe.

There's a well know "accident hump" in death rates-essentially late teens and early 20's males experience a relative increase in mortality, caused by the motor car. As can be seen in car insurance premiums for this group.

They take risks - it's a fact.

 

[funnymummy]

I think these days too mnay kids are just bought bikes & then let loose onto the roads, without any thought or knowledge.
When I was a youngling my dad taught me to ride, we lived on a cul de sac, so lots of traffic free practise, as I grew old enough to actulay venture out onto 'big' roads I was taken to the local park - Weeks of parctising, how to signal, look over my shoulder, how to turn, how to stop.. I had almsot given up hope of ever being let out into the real world, until my dad deemed I was responsible enough to be allowed to ride to my grandparents, our house looked over fields & you can see their house from my bedroom - My mum stood watch from my window & Nana had to wave a tea towel to show i'd arrived safely
I have taught my bubs the same lessons, my youngest is 6 & I let him ride on the roads, in front of me, with me riding in Primary to ensure cars give him a wide berth.
On cycle lanes i'll happily let him shoot off ahead, knwoing that he'llbe sensible & will always wait at junctions etc.
But I have seen too mnay of his friends riding like loons, no regard for traffic or their own (&others) safety, on numerous ocassions I have felt that i shoudl talk to various parents about their childs conduct, I have been asked by two to give the child some 'lessons' , most seem indifferent & one was downright rude & told me to get a life!
The later's child was knocked off his bike a week later, riding in & out of the white lines down the centre of the village - He broke his leg & the bike was squished, she is now trying to sue the driver for damages & loss of her earnings while nursing injured child!!

 

[downfader]

Don't tar us all with the same brush please, that'd be ironic and hypocritical.

I follow traffic laws perfectly well and have played GTA.

All the Junior riders I've ridden with have been good too. Never had a problem. I think the line needs to be drawn at who's a serious cyclist and who's your standard person on a bike.

In all honesty, if your standard teenager thinks they can drive or ride as they do in games, they probably shouldn't be outside on their own as they'd be a danger to everyone.

I don't play GTA anymore anyway, far too unrealistic. It's all about the simulators.

I think its pretty easy to see the serious cyclist kids. They generally look at junctions, ride in an appropriate manner on a decent bike. I should point out, I do see many kids behave - its the others you worry about.

I think these days too mnay kids are just bought bikes & then let loose onto the roads, without any thought or knowledge.
When I was a youngling my dad taught me to ride, we lived on a cul de sac, so lots of traffic free practise, as I grew old enough to actulay venture out onto 'big' roads I was taken to the local park - Weeks of parctising, how to signal, look over my shoulder, how to turn, how to stop.. I had almsot given up hope of ever being let out into the real world, until my dad deemed I was responsible enough to be allowed to ride to my grandparents, our house looked over fields & you can see their house from my bedroom - My mum stood watch from my window & Nana had to wave a tea towel to show i'd arrived safely
I have taught my bubs the same lessons, my youngest is 6 & I let him ride on the roads, in front of me, with me riding in Primary to ensure cars give him a wide berth.
On cycle lanes i'll happily let him shoot off ahead, knwoing that he'llbe sensible & will always wait at junctions etc.
But I have seen too mnay of his friends riding like loons, no regard for traffic or their own (&others) safety, on numerous ocassions I have felt that i shoudl talk to various parents about their childs conduct, I have been asked by two to give the child some 'lessons' , most seem indifferent & one was downright rude & told me to get a life!
The later's child was knocked off his bike a week later, riding in & out of the white lines down the centre of the village - He broke his leg & the bike was squished, she is now trying to sue the driver for damages & loss of her earnings while nursing injured child!!

There was a lad in one of the papers, rode out into traffic off a curb iirc and ended up with a broken leg like you said. The driver's insurer threatened legal action and the mother had to pay up for damages to the vehicle.

If I ever see one of these kids get knocked off I will obviously stop as a witness.

 

[mgarl10024]

TBH ... how many of us can say that as a teen we were perfect either ...

I can't, but it was more through ignorance than arrogance. There are some really awful kids, but there are some good kids who just don't know any better.

I distinctly remember cycling along pavements as a child as I thought that was the thing I was supposed to be doing. I remember an old chap stopping me and saying "you should be on the road" and me responding "but the cars are there and it'd be more dangerous than here".

I'm sure that with some tuition, I'd have known the right thing to do, and so would a lot of these kids too.

 

[mgarl10024]

Have you seen Redvee's latest incident on youtube?

Any chance of a link chaps? That vid seems to have escaped me.

 

[Matthames]

It really irks me when I see kids riding like this. Especially as the results could very easily be fatal.

A long time ago there was a popular kid near where I lived who was killed when he collided with a motorcycle. He decided to cycle across a road without looking properly for reasons only known to himself, taking him straight into the path of a motorcycle. Both he and the motorcyclist were pronounced dead at the scene.

 

[BentMikey]

Any chance of a link chaps? That vid seems to have escaped me.

View: http://youtu.be/CU9jN8uj4Lk

 

[downfader]

I can't, but it was more through ignorance than arrogance. There are some really awful kids, but there are some good kids who just don't know any better.

I distinctly remember cycling along pavements as a child as I thought that was the thing I was supposed to be doing. I remember an old chap stopping me and saying "you should be on the road" and me responding "but the cars are there and it'd be more dangerous than here".

I'm sure that with some tuition, I'd have known the right thing to do, and so would a lot of these kids too.

I do agree with SD and you, but in my childhood it was always tempered by strong guidence. At the very least I'd get a whack if I stepped out of line. I also strongly remember my cycle proficiency classes and the responsibilities it indoctrinated into me.

It really irks me when I see kids riding like this. Especially as the results could very easily be fatal.

A long time ago there was a popular kid near where I lived who was killed when he collided with a motorcycle. He decided to cycle across a road without looking properly for reasons only known to himself, taking him straight into the path of a motorcycle. Both he and the motorcyclist were pronounced dead at the scene.

There was another of a young lad I remember in the local paper. His brakes were ineffectual and he slid into the road off the pavement as a driver came around the bend on an A road.

 

[mgarl10024]

View: http://youtu.be/CU9jN8uj4Lk

Thanks Mikey

 

[mgarl10024]

I also strongly remember my cycle proficiency classes and the responsibilities it indoctrinated into me.

Sadly, we never had those in the years that I was at school. Earlier years did, and I think later ones. Not sure about today though. I went back as an adult through the council's Adult Cycle Training scheme, and whilst I felt quite stupid at the time and got no end of ribbing from work colleagues, it was well worth doing.

I wonder whether the kids referred to in this article had them offered at their school....?

 

[funnymummy]

Sadly, we never had those in the years that I was at school. Earlier years did, and I think later ones. Not sure about today though. I went back as an adult through the council's Adult Cycle Training scheme, and whilst I felt quite stupid at the time and got no end of ribbing from work colleagues, it was well worth doing.

I wonder whether the kids referred to in this article had them offered at their school....?

Schools still do the Cycle Profficiency or the modern equivalent Bikeability. But only available to children once in Year 6 - 10/11 years old.
Personaly I think think is too late - Some basic guidance at an age when they first loose the stabilisers would be a great idea.
At my sons school you can ride a bike in at any age but you must be accompanied by an adult until your have compleed & passed the Test, but they can walk to school unaccompained from Year 4...?

( My youngest is Year 2...and got the right hump he couldn't do his test this year!! )

 

[david1701]

Schools still do the Cycle Profficiency or the modern equivalent Bikeability. But only available to children once in Year 6 - 10/11 years old.
Personaly I think think is too late - Some basic guidance at an age when they first loose the stabilisers would be a great idea.
At my sons school you can ride a bike in at any age but you must be accompanied by an adult until your have compleed & passed the Test, but they can walk to school unaccompained from Year 4...?

( My youngest is Year 2...and got the right hump he couldn't do his test this year!! )

my nieces school teach bikeability but have no racks and don't like bikes left on site during the day........