Cubs Cyclist badge, what to cover

[Black Sheep]

I'm assessing two of our older cubs for their cyclist badge on monday,

basically I have to watch them mend a puncture, have them explain how to do basic maintenance and take them for a short ride / assess their riding to be safe.

what, beyond these requirements do you think I ought to cover?

was thinking a quick quiz on using cycle lanes / not using them, road positioning and things like that might be a good idea, but what to cover?

My main aim is that they leave with the ability to be safer on the road.

any suggestions welcome

 

[Headgardener]

Try and borrow a copy of "Cyclecraft" from the libary and read it. It should cover most of what you need to know regarding cycling on the road and it is split into three parts acording to ability. Also borrow a book on cycle maintainance at the same time if you are not sure about that either.

 

[Black Sheep]

I have read cyclecraft a few years ago, and I'm confident in cycle maintinance myself,

My worry is bombarding them with too much information instead of giving them essential advice.

 

[ufkacbln]

The requirements are:

Cyclist
To gain this badge, Cub Scouts must complete the following:
1. Own or have regular use of a bicycle of a suitable size and a cycle helmet.
2. Be able to clean and oil a bicycle. Show how to pump up the tyres and how to mend a puncture.
3. Understand the need for keeping a bicycle locked when leaving it unattended.
4. Make a poster to promote road safety to pedestrians or cyclists.
5. Discuss with your leader or other Cub Scouts the safety measures necessary for riding in poor conditions.
Either:
6. Be able to mount and dismount properly.
7. Understand the need for keeping the bicycle in a roadworthy condition, and how to do this.
8. Understand the need for lights and reflective clothing.
9. Under observation, in a safe place, go for a short ride to show that you can ride safely and confidently
Or: gain Bikeability Level 2 or 3
Notes
Cycle helmets should be worn at all times during cycling activities.

 

[vernon]

My main aim is that they leave with the ability to be safer on the road.

any suggestions welcome

Isn't your main aim to assess the points that gains them the badge?

 

[Fnaar]

Test them on carbon awareness, campag -vs- shimano, helmet debates, BSO cheese component awareness and How to nod to other cyclists :-)
Seriously though, there must be some kind of checklist for the badge?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

If they are innocent enough, teach them swear words so they can hold their own with a moton All of the suggestions sound good, and if they are suitably advanced, try and build their confidence and balancing skills by letting them practice cycling with no hands!

 

[ufkacbln]

Test them on carbon awareness, campag -vs- shimano, helmet debates, BSO cheese component awareness and How to nod to other cyclists :-)
Seriously though, there must be some kind of checklist for the badge?

Yep - the one posted above...

 

[Fnaar]

Yep - the one posted above...

Gotcha

 

[Bromptonaut]

Oh dear I'd fail at the first fence. Own or have regular use of a bicycle of a suitable size and a cycle helmet.

 

[ufkacbln]

Oh dear I'd fail at the first fence. Own or have regular use of a bicycle of a suitable size and a cycle helmet.

One of the reasons I stopped doing cycling badges, and organising sponsored rides - having to exclude boys for not having helmets.... the risk assessment provided by the Scout Association for cycling activities is even more interesting as it insists on HiViz and using dedicated cycle paths away from roads

 

[mcshroom]

One of the reasons I stopped doing cycling badges, and organising sponsored rides - having to exclude boys for not having helmets.... the risk assessment provided by the Scout Association for cycling activities is even more interesting as it insists on HiViz and using dedicated cycle paths away from roads

Not that we'd ever ignore the official risk assessments or anything

 

[alecstilleyedye]

my son's cubs leader gave them out for doing a cycling-related wordsearch

at least he would have been worthy of it had he had to earn it properly, but i don't think he was impressed with other kids getting it that can barely turn a pedal…

 

[Black Sheep]

I'm familiar with the requirements,


2. Be able to clean and oil a bicycle. Show how to pump up the tyres and how to mend a puncture.
- have them show me which parts need to be kept maintained and also have them fix a puncture

3. Understand the need for keeping a bicycle locked when leaving it unattended.
- I'll be asking them to lock a bike up


5. Discuss with your leader or other Cub Scouts the safety measures necessary for riding in poor conditions.
- I'll be getting them to think about visibility and how to be visible




what I'm wanting to know is, should I be talking to them about 'the door zone' when passing parked cars, taking the lane, things like that?

 

[byegad]

OR:-
1. How to ride in a chain gang.
2. How to RLJ.
3. How to blank any cyclist not on your kind of bike.
4. How to filter at speed in heavy traffic.
5' How to bunny hop onto and off a pavement at high speed.
and finally
6. How to deal with sniffy LBS owners who want to ignore you if you don't ride with him on his days off and are not one of his regular customers.

Only kidding.