national cycling proficiency scheme

[Drago]

Mini D hasn't done bikeabikity. She missed it at school anyway because she was in hossy, but I've taught her myself, the proper way. And a few bits besides.

 

[Beebo]

My daughter did hers.
My son missed out in Covid. I presume many of the 14 year olds you see out and about now probably missed out during Covid.

 

[Profpointy]

Hopefully they don't teach riding in the gutter these days. To be fair my experience was from some 55 years ago

 

[raleighnut]

I failed mine, after performing the 'emergency stop' you were supposed to look behind and indicate, now I'm on a playground so I know there's nothing behind me and I've never been any good at acting. Strangely I think it was about then I started hating coppers.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I failed mine, after performing the 'emergency stop' you were supposed to look behind and indicate, now I'm on a playground so I know there's nothing behind me and I've never been any good at acting. Strangely I think it was about then I started hating coppers.

Raleighnut school diary on the morning of his proficiency test "Today a nice pliceman is at skool to give us a test"
That afternoon: "The filth stitched me up"

 

[raleighnut]

Raleighnut school diary on the morning of his proficiency test "Today a nice pliceman is at skool to give us a test"
That afternoon: "The filth stitched me up"

Funny thing is I'll bet I'm the only one that rode a bike consistently for the next 5 decades, never seen any of the others from that class on a bike after they started driving.
Every now and then I go back to my home village for wedding anniversaries/birthdays/funerals and some fat bald bloke will say hello and I don't know who they are but they generally say "Cor you've not changed" but I have to ask someone I do know who they were.

 

[Drago]

I failed mine, after performing the 'emergency stop' you were supposed to look behind and indicate, now I'm on a playground so I know there's nothing behind me and I've never been any good at acting. Strangely I think it was about then I started hating coppers.

I was refused entry for turning up on a Chopper.

I had to return that afternoon using my sisters pink shopper, an ordeal from Which I have never fully recovered.

 

[steveindenmark]

Here https://www.bikeability.org.uk/

Good point about the prerequisite, do any other countries do this ?

Yes we do cycling proficiency tests for all children in Denmark. I am not sure how strict they are though.

 

[Slick]

I still remember fondly doing my cycling proficiency, winning the slow race was a particularly proud moment.

I did see an advert some time ago regarding becoming an instructor and I do fancy it, but I'm still too busy with other stuff. One day though, as I think I could have a right laugh with them.

 

[Dadam]

I was refused entry for turning up on a Chopper.

I had to return that afternoon using my sisters pink shopper, an ordeal from Which I have never fully recovered.

Well I did mine on a Chopper no problem! 😁 Complete with orange flag on a fibreglass pole!
The course was fine, the trauma came later.

I parked my bike against a wall in the playground to go back into class. The others wisely parked them up the little alley the side of the hall. So come playtime I have to spend the whole break standing my ground defending both my bike and my dignity against the relentless mockery of other schoolkids. The scars are real man!

But the pink shopper... that's another level of trauma for a male child in the 70s. My sympathies!

 

[Slick]

I still have my certificates and badges. I took it twice, once at primary school in May 1969 before going to secondary school, and again in May 1971, I seem to remember signing up again just for sake of it.
View attachment 737211

That's a blast from the past.

 

[mjr]

Hopefully they don't teach riding in the gutter these days. To be fair my experience was from some 55 years ago

No, they don't. Not all cycling proficiency did either, but what was taught was massively inconsistent with not much checking of instructors.

 

[pjd57]

I didn't do cycling proficiency as a child.
Last year I done the Bikeability instructor course.
I thought it was very good. Lot to take in over 4 days .
Worth doing if you get the chance

 

[Drago]

4 days? As much as that, eh?

 

[mustang1]

I never done such a test. I've always been a courteous cyclist.
My kids done the bike ability courses. They were always courteous too, but even before the course.

I cannot help but think it's a paperwork exercise. I suppose it does help some people but it just hasn't been my experience.

They should still do the bike ability courses but more to get the kids out and about in a group, riding their bikes, getting fresh air and just enjoying themselves and learning a few things along the way.