Witnessed a SMIDSY tonight..

[Drago]

TVP don't issues gloves or eye protection either, despite ACPO decreeing the national standard is lid, eye protections, gloves/mitts and a florrie to BS whateveritis as the basic issue. I

 

[addictfreak]

The last time I had any cycle training ( cycle proficiency )was roughly 40 years ago. Funnily enough I seem to manage to ride my bikes on a daily basis without serious incident

 

[2Loose]

The last time I had any cycle training ( cycle proficiency )was roughly 40 years ago. Funnily enough I seem to manage to ride my bikes on a daily basis without serious incident

But you did have some training once, and after all, you do remember lots because it is just like riding a bike!

 

[Vikeonabike]

The americans lead the way on training ( http://www.ipmba.org/index.htm ), the dutch are pretty good too. The larger British Police Forces like the Met, West Mids etc do offer training. The rest of the smaller forces are left sadly lacking in both training and equipment! Bearing in mind, an officer on a bike is expected to respond the same as an officer in a car, usually with out blues and twos, added to the physical effort involved. The whole process is fraught with danger!

 

[gaz]

Victim blaming?

no, it's called self preservation.

 

[addictfreak]

But you did have some training once, and after all, you do remember lots because it is just like riding a bike!

True, but a lot of riding is common sense (isn't it?)

 

[gambatte]

I don't understand how anyone can expect someone to use a potentially dangerous piece of equipment for their work for which they have not been adequately trained.

I'm always amazed how those kids on paper routes carry on.
Seeing as they're using bikes to carry out their jobs, they're employed by the newsagents.... don't the newsagents have a responsibility to ensure they at least have working lights?

 

[2Loose]

True, but a lot of riding is common sense (isn't it?)

TBH, I think a lot of the younger generations miss out on a proper understanding of the roads until they start driving lessons, due to being dropped off and picked up from school, the proliferation of game consoles etc.
We had less traffic, the Green Cross Code, and generally got anywhere under our own power from an earlier age than people (in general) do today. So I think that whatever is common road sense to us, probably starts a bit later in life for some people today. The re-emergence of the proficiency test (Bikeability) for school kids gives an important grounding and awareness that hopefully carries through into adulthood and a respectful breed of driver, that was sadly missing for a generation or two in many parts of the country.