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What are the benefits of cycle training for getting children to cycle more often, more safely?
Michael FrearsonThe Association of Bikeability Schemes September2014
Outline• For children cycling is exciting and fun, but they
face greater risks of injury than other age groups• Parents’ anxieties about road danger restricts
children’s developmental riding experience• Does training reduce risks and nurture children’s
instinctive enthusiasm for cycling?• Do trained children cycle more than untrained;
do more cycle on the road, more confidently?• What kinds of training are most effective, and
how does Bikeability measure up?
For children cycling is but they do face greater risks, …
• 11-16 year olds make more cycle trips, and have more injuries, than any other age group
• children comprise 1/4 of STAT19 KSI and 1/3 of hospital casualty records for cyclists
but fewer children are getting hurt.
• child pedal cyclist casualties fell by 11% in 2012-13
• this is the lowest level since records began (1979)
• most injuries are slight rather than serious or fatal
Children do make mistakes, …• children generally neglect signalling and road
position at junctions• children generally have a poor knowledge of
rights of way• age and experience predict on-road bike handling
skills in critical areas– looking behind for following traffic– riding one handed when signaling
• children with the least cycling experience are the most vulnerable to injury
and ‘child error’ results in injuries.
• police report ‘cyclist error’ in more collisions involving children than any other age group
• in 3/4 of child cyclist collisions resulting in KSI, police report child behaviour as primary factor:– ‘entered road from pavement’ – ‘failed to look properly’
• Most common child injuries from ‘going ahead’:– vehicle turning left across path of cyclist– vehicle moving off/slowing down
The main risks (UK 2005-11)• all age group collisions with cyclists’ fatalities:– 69% of cyclist killed ‘going ahead’– 59% of cyclists killed at/near junctions
• cyclist KSIs resulting from ‘going ahead’– vehicle turning right across path of cyclist (15%)– vehicle turning left across path of cyclist (8%)– vehicle moving off/slowing down (6%)– cyclist overtaking parked vehicle (5%)– vehicle overtaking cyclist (3%)
Risk: going ahead
Risk: passing parked vehicles
Risk: turning left
Risk: turning right
Does cycle training reduce risk?
• cycle ownership and experience increase cycling skill• children aged 10-12 perceive speed, distance and gaps
in traffic as well as adults, but are less able to coordinate their movement with other vehicles
• hospitalisation of 8-12 year olds after cycling collisions is twice as likely without formal cycle training
• training for children aged 8-10 develops the motor and cognitive skills needed for on-road cycling, but is not so effective for understanding road priority rules
• sustained, on-road, practical training is more effective than brief, off-road, simulated or theory based-training
What is Bikeability?
Giving children (and adults) the skills and confidence needed for cycling on the road
•Level 1: controlling the bike and preparing to ride on the road•Level 2: riding on single-lane roads and using junctions•Level 3: riding on multi-lane roads and using complex junctions
Bikeability cycle training• Realistic – takes place where real cycling occurs• Empowering – empowers trainees’ independent
decision making• Positive – a positive and enjoyable experience for all• Progressive – progression to challenging environments • Trainee led – addresses individual needs and
aspirations• Outcome orientated – achievement of outcomes focus• Continuous assessment – trainee consistency,
competence and confidence demonstrating outcomesand SERIOUSLY GOOD FUN!
Do trained children cycle more?
• 2014 Bikeability School Travel Survey• 1,345 trained and untrained Year 5 and 6
pupils in England• 23 primary schools in six borough,
metropolitan and shire councils• Online survey administered in class time• Report due at the end of September
Trained children do cycle more, …
• 9% fewer trained than untrained children rarely or never cycle
• 5% more trained than untrained children cycle frequently (at least once a week)
they cycle to school more often, …
• 8% more trained than untrained children cycle to school frequently (at least once a week)
• 7% fewer trained than untrained children rarely or never cycle to school
they normally cycle on the road, …
• 10% more trained than untrained children normally cycle on the road with traffic
• 6% fewer trained than untrained children normally cycle on the pavement
and are more confident cyclists.
• 15% more trained than untrained children are confident cycling on the road
• 9% fewer trained than untrained children were not at all confident cycling on the road
They also enjoy cycling more
Both want to enjoy cycling more, …
More cycling /destinationsBetter bike / accessoriesCycling families / friendsBetter roads / trafficMore cycle paths / lanesMore skills / trainingNothing – love it already!
but need ‘groan up’ permission.• More permission and
freedom to cycle around (trained)
• If you were allowed to cycle anywhere (trained)
• If I could go on the road (untrained)
• Allowing me to go by myself to places (untrained)
• Being allowed to cycle further than the end of the road (trained)
• Mum and dad letting me go to friends house, travel on bike (trained)
• If I could cycle somewhere other than school or the shops (untrained)
• To go places further away than I normally go (trained)
• Cycling a bit further (untrained)
• Being able to ride my bike more often to school (trained)
Conclusion• Bikeability ticks many of the boxes for effective
cycle training – sustained, on-road, practical, enjoyable
• Bikeability addresses directly the main risks facing child cyclists today - starting, going ahead, junctions
• Trained children cycle more often, on the roads, with confidence and enjoyment, than untrained children
• Despite decreasing child cyclist injuries, parents’ anxieties are preventing children cycling more
