Safer cyclists hop into the saddle

St Luke’s Primary School, Heywood

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Cycling enthusiasts have spent their summer brushing up on the Highway Code and learning how to enjoy their hobby and remain safe on the road.

This summer’s novices enlisted on the courses at St Luke’s Primary School, Heywood. Middleton Parish Primary School and Whittaker Moss, Sandbrook and Littleborough Primary Schools across Rochdale.

They were taught basic training and road safety including; overtaking stationary traffic, positioning when turning left and right, signalling and the importance of eye contact.

The graduates of Rochdale Borough Council’s Summer Safer Cycling Programme leave their course as confident cyclists, with positive riding techniques that should make them safer riders and less hazardous to motorists and pedestrians.

The council’s Casualty Reduction Team run free regular Safer Cycling Programme courses to children aged over 10 years old right through to adults.

Casualty Reduction Officer at Rochdale Borough Council, Stuart Howarth explains the importance of confidence on the road: “A cyclist who can show a positive riding position and make eye contact with drivers will be a lot safer on the road than a cyclist who manoeuvres all over the carriageway and never looks around to see what’s near them.

“Cyclists including children on bikes have the same right to be on the road as motorists, we know children prefer riding on the footpath but they should be on the road and this course will allow them to make the swap. The positive techniques everyone learn on our cycling programme aim to help reduce the number of cyclist related incidents on our highway.”

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, cabinet member for place and regulation added: “Cycling is a wonderful, healthy, enjoyable pastime that can be enjoyed by the whole family. So, we want to help everyone ride safely and confidently on our roads. These safer cycling courses are an important part of our casualty reduction strategy for the borough. I’m thrilled that we welcome more cycling graduates to the borough and encourage more people to take up the offer of free training.”