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Based on Cycle Training pupils work book completed by David Comont, May 1997
Safe Cycle Training

David's cycle training certificate
David's cycle training certificate

One of the most useful extra activities for children at Whitefriars Junior School was the Safe Cycle Training - Cycling Proficiency as it used to be called. Children had to take their bikes into school where they were checked to ensure they were all in order before having practical training in how to ride safely on the roads. This was done on the playground at the school. The children also had to complete a work book, which is reproduced here.

Cover of the Safe Cycle Training work book for pupils
A Message for you

Hello, welcome to the Northamptonshire County Council Cycle Training Scheme.

In this book you will find questions all about safe cycling. If you do not know the answers, your Highway Code For Young Road Users and Safe Cycling booklet will help you. If you are unsure about anything ask your teacher or instructor.

When you have finished the course, it is just the start of your safe cycling career. You will have some knowledge but it is important to increase this and develop your practical skills.

Your safety is up to you learn all you can now and always use it. Do not be tempted to do what you know is wrong. Always be considerate to other road users and watch out for the mistakes they make which might put you in danger.

Safe cycling

Graham Feest

County Road Safety Officer




Result of the safety check of David's bicycle



Is your bicycle safe?


Brakes
Pedals
The areas ringed need attention
Bell
Chain
Signature of Assessor J H Vayro-Wright
Handlebars
Tyres
Date 21/5/97
Headbearings
Frame
I confirm the above has now been rectified
Height
Reflector

Forks
Lights
Signed___________
Wheels
Saddle
Date_____________


















Completed pages from David's Cycle Training work book
Completed pages from David's Cycle Training work book
Completed pages from David's Cycle Training work book
Completed pages from David's Cycle Training work book

Before You Set Off


Q Using your Highway Code and Safe Cycling Booklet, list the four things you should check on your bike every time you use it?


A Your brakes, reflectors, tyres and lights



Q What other things should you consider?

A Your steering alignment and the chain, the spokes and the bell




Protect Yourself

Q What does the word “camouflage” mean? use a dictionary to help you
A To blend in with your surroundings

Q Some animals use camouflage to protect themselves, others use camouflage to help them hunt. Can you name any?

A Snakes, moths, lizards, frogs

Q Camouflage can be dangerous, especially to you as a cyclist. Can you explain why?

A If you blend in with the road, cars might not see you and hit you.

Q What can you do to your bicycle, and what could you wear to make yourself more easily seen in daylight?

A You could wear bright colours such as red and yellow and you could strap reflector pieces on your bike

Q What can cyclists do to make themselves more easily seen at night?

A They can wear florescent straps and they can use lights

Q More than half of reported injuries in cycling accidents are to the head. How can a cyclist protect their head from injuries?

A They can protect themselves from injury by using a helmet

Q Does wearing a cycle helmet stop accidents happening?

A No but they will protect you

Q What will help prevent cyclists from having accidents?

A Riding safely, taking training


Road Signs and Markings

By using your Highway Code for Young Road Users

Underline the correct meaning of the road markings

A
Page from the work book about road signs and markings B
Stop at stop line
a Give way to traffic on major road
b Give way line
b Stop lines at stop sign
c Stop line at light signals
c Give way at light signals



Match the road sign shape to its general meaning

Warning

Orders

Information


Page from the work book about road signs and markings

Cycle Paths/Routes

Colour in each sign and underline the correct meaning

List of Colours
Signs
Meanings
Red edge
Another page from the work book about road signs and markings
You must cycle
White background
No cycling
Black bicycle
Cycles only
Red edge
Cycle lane
White background
Cycle route ahead
Black bicycle
Cycles only
White edge
Stop
Red background
Give way
White letters
Stop and give way
White edge
Stop
Red background
No cycling
White line
No entry
White edge
This way only
Blue background
One way street
White arrow and writing
Mini roundabout
Another page from the work book about road signs and markings

Here are three different signs for cyclists

Colour them in correctly and explain what each means. Use your Highway Code For Young Road Users to help you.

Page from the work book about signs for cyclists Recommended route for pedal cyclists
Recommended route forpedal cyclists to place shown
Separate cycle and pedestrians
Page from the work book about signs for cyclists

Traffic Lights

Using your Highway Code, colour in these lights in the correct sequence. In your own words write down what each set means.

Page from the work book about traffic lights 1 Red means stop on the white line
2 Red and amber mean stop on the white line as well
3 Green means go if it is safe
4 Amber means stop on the white line as well
Page from the work book about traffic lights

Riding Along

There are a number of things which you must not do when riding your bicycle as shown in the pictures below. Write down the advice you would give to each of these cyclists. You will find the information in your Highway Code for Young Road Users.

Page from the work book about how to ride along safely Don’t ride two abreast, ride in a single file
Always keep both hands on the handlebars unless you are signalling
Never hold on to any vehicle or another cyclist
Don’t try stunts, it could be dangerous
You should never lead an animal whilst cycling
When you have to carry anything on your cycle, use a bag or panniers
Page from the work book about how to ride along safely

Look and Signal

Page from the work book about looking and signalling The two most important things you do when riding your bicycle are LOOK and SIGNAL.

Q Where do you look and what do you look for?

A You look over your right shoulder and you look for cars or other vehicles on the road.
Q What do these signals mean?
A I intend to turn in to the left
A I intend to turn out to the right
Q When do you give these signals?
A Just before you turn into another road
Q Who, other than other cyclists, need to know what these signals mean?
A The car, motorcycle and lorry drivers need to know what the signals mean.
Page from the work book about looking and signalling

Left Turn Main Road to Side Road

On the road map draw a line to show where you would turn left and label it with the following numbers:

Page from the workbook about turning left into a side road 1 Look behind
2 Signal
3 Hand back on handlebar
4 Complete turn into side road
Page from the work book about turning left into a side road

Left Turn Side Road to Main Road

On the road map draw a line to show how you would turn left and label it with the following numbers:

Page from the work book showing how to turn left on to a main road 1 Look behind
2 Signal
3 Hand back on handlebar
4 Slow down and stop
5 When safe, complete the turn
Page from the work book showing how to turn left on to a main road

Overtaking

On the road map draw a line to show how you would overtake the parked car. Label the line with the following numbers:

Page from the work book showing how to overtake safely 1 Look behind
2 Pull out
3 Return to the general riding position
Page from the work book showing how to overtake safely

Right Turn Side Road to Main Road

On the road map draw a line to show how you would turn right and label it with the following numbers:

Page from the workbook about turning right onto a main road 1 Look behind
2 Signal
3 Move towards the centre of the road
4 Hand back on handlebar
5 Slow down and stop
6 Look for traffic. When safe, cycle across
Page from the work book about turning right onto a main road

Right Turn Main Road to Side Road

On the road map draw a line to show how you would turn right and label it with the following numbers:

Page from the workbook about turning right into a side road 1 Look behind
2 If safe, signal
3 Move towards the centre of the road
4 Hand back on handlebar
5 Lifesaver look
6 Stop if necessary

Remember

At night or on busy roads it is safer to stay on the left and stop.
Wait for a safe gap in the traffic before walking or riding across the road.

Page from the work book about turning right into a side road

Looking for Traffic

When completing any turn it is essential to look for traffic. Traffic can come from many different directions. On the road map draw arrows to show the directions of the traffic you must look for.

Page from the workbook showing where to look for traffic
Page from the work book showing where to look for traffic
Girls School Safe Cycling Team 1963

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