A fair assessment of cycling proficiency?

The following blog, which was posted on The Guardian website last week, might raise the blood pressure of RSOs who look back on the old cycling proficiency test with fondness.

Will the government's new cycling course really make us feel safe on today's congested roads, asks Alexandra Topping.

"Hands up who remembers cycling proficiency lessons?

"The tortured logistics of getting your bike to school (you didn't cycle it, obviously), bare hands pinched with cold as they gripped the handle bars, wobbling uncontrollably as you tried to master the slowing-down arm signal (has anyone, anyone, ever used this as an adult?). After about 10 minutes of cycling in a finite number of patterns in my small safe playground I remember wondering what all the fuss was about. This was easy.

"Until you were let loose on the road.

"With traffic lights flashing and malicious motorists seemingly intent on wreaking death and devastation to all two-wheeled travellers, the mere thought of taking a hand off my bike to let them know I was slowing down seemed laughable. Anything my cycling proficiency test had taught me instantly disappeared.

"Those days of wide-eyed, rabbit-in-the-headlights fear may be about to change. A new brightly packaged government cycling scheme has been launched - cycling proficiency for the 21st century no less - and it aims to transform the nation's children into lean, streetwise, cycling machines.

"No more wrapping children in cotton wool with playground-bound programmes - the new Bikeability test will start in the safety of the yard but soon progress to real street training. Gone is the treacherous slowing-down arm signal; replaced with advice to make eye contact with drivers in order to avoid misunderstandings about what you are about to do. Thrown out is the advice to stay neatly tucked into the kerb; our children are to create a courageous confident presence. And yes, it may have been OK to ride on pavements when cycling proficiency came into operation 70 years ago, but it just doesn't wash in 2007.

"Only 2% of children currently cycle to school compared with 50% in 1969. Would you be prepared to let your child loose on the mean streets if fully trained? Is investing in training really the way of getting children to shed some pounds and ease inner-city congestion? And what about the adults? Should we be able to take the course to spruce up on our skills?

"Or... should a cycling proficiency style test be compulsory for bus and taxi drivers and motoring journalists? I certainly wouldn't mind getting my hands on the natty badge, booklet, certificate and a letter to my mum, signalling not only the successful completion of the course, but declaring my cycling prowess to the world."

To read the blog online go to: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk

26.02.07 - Red squares make cycling safer

18.09.06 - Children gear up for 21st century cycle trainin