Cycle proficiency changes gear in Dorset

Dorset County Council's Road Safety Team has announced a pioneering and healthy change in direction for the old ‘cycle proficiency’ training courses.

As from 1 April 2004, cycle training will be provided exclusively through the county's leisure centres - in an move to ensure consistency in the standard of training, widen availability year-round and add a health and fitness focus in tandem with the traditional safety focus.

"It has become very difficult to recruit and retain parent volunteer instructors who carry out the practical training, and subsequently the number of children trained at schools each year is falling," says Robert Smith (pictured), Dorset's road safety team leader. "Cycle training provision at leisure centres has been increasing, however, with the potential for more holiday courses to be provided throughout the year. The traditional summer term rush to try to train as many children as possible is no longer sustainable and with road safety staff time tied up with all manner of new Government initiatives, it is time for a radical change of direction."

"We consulted 131 registered cycle instructors and 180 schools on the proposals, which resulted in 13 per cent in favour, 12 per cent against and 9 per cent neither for nor against. The fact that 66 per cent made no comment speaks volumes."

"Those in favour acknowledged the benefits of having cycle training as a life skill managed through leisure centres, as it forges the link between cycling as a healthy sustainable leisure activity and the obvious knock-on safety benefits," Robert Smith continues.

"Those against the proposals thought that the increased charges of between £5 and £15 per course, depending on the type of training provided, would deter many parents. Evidence suggests otherwise, as many parents thought the current low charges did not truly reflect the importance and professional nature of the training," he concluded.

Further information can be obtained from Robert Smith, 01305 224680, r.smith@dorsetcc.gov.uk.