Headteacher demands children cycling to school display number plates

[glasgowcyclist]

The head of Beacon School in Banstead is insisting that children (11-18yrs) cycling to school must obtain a permit from the school, in the form of a number plate, to be displayed beneath the bike saddle. He's also threatening to lock up any bike belonging to a pupil who infringes his rules, releasing it only when a parent/carer collects it.

I think this guy is overstepping the mark on a grand scale. What worries me is that he refers to this approach being "highly effective" in other schools, which, if left unchallenged, is going to normalise the idea of restrictive legislation on a benign form of transport. It won't take long to be picked up by misguided campaigners and politicians who'd rather cycling wasn't as attractive as it currently is.

From road.cc:

A letter dated November 13 states that from Monday December 11, all students of the academy school for 11-18 year olds, “will require a cycling permit in the form of a number plate.”

The permit is obtained and issued after students and parents/carers sign a cycling agreement. “The number plate must be attached to the student’s bicycle underneath the seat so that all students can be identified cycling to and from school.”
​

(I know he also refers to needing to wear a helmet but please don't let that become the focus and drag the topic down to *that* dungeon. I'd rather discuss the legality and overall implications of allowing schools to dictate conditions for those using active travel to get to school.)

 

[Deleted member 35268]

If it results in less kids cycling in, then that is a shame.

 

[Profpointy]

what a donkey!

Wouldn't it be easier for all the kids to wear a big number on their back ?

 

[Cycleops]

Seems very odd introducing a measure like that. I wonder what prompted it. Why would they need to identify the students when cycling?

 

[Profpointy]

I suspect the head is simply anti-cycling. Probably a Daily-Mail reader.
I'm being perfectly serious by the way

 

[User32269]

Would be a more effective policy to insist all the stressed parents taking there kids to school in cars undertake advanced driving training. Could then take the keys from anyone not displaying the sticker.

If my kids cycled to his school I would show up with my angle grinder to get their bikes free from being locked up.

 

[raleighnut]

I suspect the head is simply anti-cycling. Probably a Daily-Mail reader.
I'm being perfectly serious by the way

He seems to think cycling is a 'recreational pursuit'.

 

[DCLane]

My 13yo is one of only two, in his school of 1800+, who cycles to school. The other cyclist rides 1/2 a mile each way whilst mine rides 6+ miles.

This seems utterly stupid. However he appears to have brought the idea from his previous school, hence his 'evidence', which was at Glyn School.

Hmmm ... I'm off work ... do I send comments to: https://twitter.com/TheBeaconSch and https://twitter.com/batchelor1666 who I presume rides for Sky given the photo

 

[dodgy]

They're getting a shoeing on Twitter @TheBeaconSch

 

[dodgy]

https://twitter.com/batchelor1666 who I presume rides for Sky given the photo

Been riding a few months and thinks he knows it all. He must be new to it, nobody I know would pose in Sky kit....


/ducks

 

[jefmcg]

If it results in less kids cycling in, then that is a shame.

How can it do otherwise?

 

[DCLane]

They're getting a shoeing on Twitter @TheBeaconSch

Including from me

 

[mjr]

Get the schoolchildren used to wearing numbers now. It'll make it easier for our new reptilian overlords in future.

 

[mjr]

Been riding a few months and thinks he knows it all. He must be new to it, nobody I know would pose in Sky kit....


/ducks

Had he been huffing a jiffy bag before writing that letter?

 

[swansonj]

The comprehensive my daughter went to have done this for ages. The stated purpose is so that local residents could report bad cycling and the offender could more easily be identified. I believe it may have been introduced by the last head but three who firmly believed, as part of his drive to improve behaviour, self-respect , and hence standards, that the school had a legitimate say over anything whatsoever that pupils did where the school was identifiable. He was known for hurtling into the local park well after school hours if he thought a group of pupils were behaving inappropriately. His personality was such that he got away with it. And it worked in that the standards and reputation of the school have not equalled his reign for twenty years since.

So I haven't viewed a school insisting on number plates as necessarily quite so malign.