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Road Safety - Cycling Proficiency

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council are committed to encourage walking and cycling journeys to school.

Many short journeys previously undertaken on foot and bicycle are now undertaken by car, partly because walking and cycling are not perceived as safe.  These increased car journeys cause congestion, damage the environment and create danger at the school gate.

The health benefit of cycling and walking far outweigh the dangers associated with carrying out these activities. 
The benefits are:-

• improved health in pupils
• social awareness
• reduced car journeys
• healthier environment

Five schools in Blaenau Gwent have benefited from `Safe Routes to Schools' scheme, four of which have incorporated cycling facilities.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council intend to actively promote walking and cycling journeys in order to reduce car dependency.

CYCLE PROFICIENCY SCHEME

In order to increase the safety of children using bicycles as a form of transport, Blaenau Gwent CBC fund a cycle training scheme, which teaches pupils the importance of cycle safety.

Experienced instructors present a series of lessons covering all aspects of basic safe cycling.  Topics covered include cycle maintenance, the highway code, the importance of using helmets, basic riding skills, including the importance of good observation and positioning.  Pupils participate in "hands on" practical training in a simulated environment conducted away from the road in order to build confidence before venturing onto the roads themselves.  The local Road Safety Officer oversees the final assessment to ensure that standards are kept high.

Each school taking part in the scheme is then eligible to send 3 cyclists to the South East Wales Safety Cycling Championship, which takes place in July each year at County Hall, Cwmbran.  At this competition, cyclists take part in 3 elements:-

a road riding route around County Hall Campus an enhanced skills and dexterity course an in-depth test of their knowledge of the highway code Awards include:- a top cyclist from each authority a best school team from each authority best maintained bicycle best knowledge of the highway code from each authority an overall regional winner and school team

The Safe Cycling Profiency Course is recognised as Level One of the National Standard for Cycle Training and is offered to year 6 pupils throughout all the schools in Blaenau Gwent (some schools can enter Year 5 pupils in certain circumstances).  The scheme gives children a good grounding for being a road user in charge of a vehicle and is increasing in popularity each year.  In 2006, 20 schools in Blaenau Gwent participated in the scheme.