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| Cycle awareness: Some of the pupils of Whitchurch C E Primary School who took part in cycle awareness training. NOP |
CHILDREN at Whitchurch Primary School have recently been taking cycle awareness training provided by Hampshire County Council.
The 36 children between the ages of seven and 11 undertook the training led by instructors Roy Herbert and PCSO Helen Rutherford.
Stage one takes place on the playground for three one-hour sessions for children aged seven to 10 and stage two takes place on the playground and designated roads for four two-hour sessions for children aged 10 and over.
Helen said: "The training informs children what maintenance checks have to be carried out and when, and what appropriate clothing should be worn."
Meanwhile junior and senior members of Overton Rugby Club tried to tackle a 470-mile ride on static bikes recently, raising around £200 for the club.
The distance the cyclists travelled was the equivalent of the distance from the club to their partner club St Martin's in the South of France.
The event, from 10am until 5pm on the Saturday of the Sheep Fair, aimed to raise funds as well as the profile of the club.
"We have got about 100 children who come to the club, which is great for such a small village," said club member Ian Harrison.
"We managed just under 400km."
The ride replicated a similar feat by senior members who made the real journey earlier this year.
4:37pm Thursday 7th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: Pete Roberts, Hampshire on 7:25pm Thu 7 Aug 08
Although a commendable activity this training does not include road riding and the kids still ride on pavements. The trainers are not cyclists either.
Although a commendable activity this training does not include road riding and the kids still ride on pavements. The trainers are not cyclists either.
Posted by: Cycle Trainer, andover on 12:29pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Get your facts right please Pete. I'm a cycle trainer for 7 - 11 year olds. The younger children are not taken on the roads but the 11 year olds are. You will see in the picture the warning signs that are put up for motorists to see when the training is taking place on the road. The younger children are taught the basics of cycle maintenance, basic road positions and hand signals in the school playground, the olders ones are also taught these, firstly in the playground then out on the road. They have at least five lessons on the road. In my opinion that's not long enough for most children but unfortunately HCC restrict us to just 8 weeks training. We emphasise to all children that they should be cycling on the road, and that cycling on the pavement is actually an offence and dangerous to pedestrians. Unfortunately we trainers can't be held responsible for the children - and adults for that matter - who ride on the pavements. I think you'll also find that the majority of trainers do have cycling experience.
Get your facts right please Pete. I'm a cycle trainer for 7 - 11 year olds. The younger children are not taken on the roads but the 11 year olds are. You will see in the picture the warning signs that are put up for motorists to see when the training is taking place on the road. The younger children are taught the basics of cycle maintenance, basic road positions and hand signals in the school playground, the olders ones are also taught these, firstly in the playground then out on the road. They have at least five lessons on the road. In my opinion that's not long enough for most children but unfortunately HCC restrict us to just 8 weeks training. We emphasise to all children that they should be cycling on the road, and that cycling on the pavement is actually an offence and dangerous to pedestrians. Unfortunately we trainers can't be held responsible for the children - and adults for that matter - who ride on the pavements. I think you'll also find that the majority of trainers do have cycling experience.
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