national cycling proficiency scheme

[EltonFrog]

I

Of course, back in the day, we were all riding either Raleigh Chppers or Raleigh Grifters 😂

I wasn’t, I had a Dawes Kingpin.

Actually when I did my Cycling Proficiency Test it was a grey sit up and beg thing with 3sp SA gears, the name of which I can’t remember. I know it ended up in the Grand Union canal down Old Oak Lane.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Of course, back in the day, we were all riding either Raleigh Chppers or Raleigh Grifters 😂

I knew only one friend who had a Chipper or Chopper.The Grifters being much later when I’d moved onto big boy bikes. Gresham Flyer was my bike in younger years.

 

[Drago]

The Five-0 wouldn't let me use my Chopper. Something about them being dangerous and talk of death and disfigurement.

I had to use my Sister's pink shopper, an experience that left me deeply traumatised.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I remember doing this in the mid seventies in my primary school. The school yard was painted with road markings etc.

Bike ability taught on real roads these days.

 

[EltonFrog]

I have just returned from a day of observing a Bikeability level 2 course. 6 kids one trainer and me just watching and following.

A bit of an eye opener, apparently yesterday they were all out in the pouring rain doing their level 1, today after a few pre ride checks out on the road putting into practice what they learned yesterday, left turns, u turns, right turns, junctions, primary and second position, road signs and more, all day excluding breaks, almost fifteen miles of riding. I don’t think I did that much work for my driving test.

Anyway, it was an interesting day, I now have to decide whether I want to start and complete the training to become an instructor.

 

[Drago]

Just one trainer? No safety officer?

 

[EltonFrog]

Just one trainer? No safety officer?

Correct. There was also another fella riding around assessing the trainers, we didn’t know about him until we saw out on the course.

 

[Drago]

Lordy. If I were training 6 adults I'd have a safety officer, never mind 6 kids. You can't keep a proper eye on 6 riders on your own no matter how competent and well behaved they are.

I guess the Bikeability is the other end of the spectrum to the professional level stuff, but still worthy for all that. I guess number/availability of volunteers impacts that sort of thing.

 

[EltonFrog]

Lordy. If I were training 6 adults I'd have a safety officer, never mind 6 kids. You can't keep a proper eye on 6 riders on your own no matter how competent and well behaved they are.

I guess the Bikeability is the other end of the spectrum to the professional level stuff, but still worthy for all that. I guess number/availability of volunteers impacts that sort of thing.

They’re not volunteers, they’re paid for their work.

 

[Gillstay]

Lordy. If I were training 6 adults I'd have a safety officer, never mind 6 kids. You can't keep a proper eye on 6 riders on your own no matter how competent and well behaved they are.

I guess the Bikeability is the other end of the spectrum to the professional level stuff, but still worthy for all that. I guess number/availability of volunteers impacts that sort of thing.

We used to have six people up trees with chainsaws. Kept you busy, but what would you want a safety officer for ?
Another trainer would be more helpful.

 

[Drago]

A safety officer is also a qualified instructor, albeit on the day subordinate to the primary instructor for the purposes of delivering the course. Needs to be at least L4 or IPMBA qualified and an up to date FAST aid ticket (first aid plus specialist trauma management training.)

The term safety officer denotes their role on the day, not their background. Having a safety officer that didn't know anything about the subject be a liability.