CfSC Policy: Child Cycling Education

Citizens for Safe Cycling, believes that effective cycling education and training should be available to every child. This should be undertaken when children are at a suitable age of development and are beginning to ride on their own, around the age of nine.

A bicycle is a child's first vehicle. They have no experience, yet children are given very little cycling instruction. Effective educational programs are ones that happen over time and on the road. Effectiveness is measured by positive behavioural changes and a reduction in crash rates. These programs involve bike handling skills, how to ride on the road and the proper use of helmets. The KIDS CAN-BIKE and other CAN-BIKE programs incorporate all of these elements.

Educational programs would involve extensive follow-up over time as to their effectiveness. Follow-up will lead to course improvements.

Availability means courses should be offered in the child's community, thus enabling more children to reach a course and to enforce positive behaviours in their own communities. School based community cycling programs (community use of schools) and local community centres would allow for the greatest amount of availability.

Availability also means the continued need for instructor development. This includes instructor identification and comprehensive training. Without adequate instructors, there is no availability.

Parents/guardians are currently a child's first cycling instructor. Most children learn to ride a bicycle between the ages of five to eight. Children of this age are very amenable to training. Young children are at various stages of developing strategic thinking skills and are far less efficient at switching attention; therefore adult supervision is necessary.

Depending on location, level of traffic and the child's development, older children also require knowledgeable adult supervision.

In order to provide safe cycling, cycling education programs for younger children are aimed at providing parents/guardians and their children greater practical knowledge.

Elements include bicycle handling skills, rules of the road for cyclists, safe riding practices and understanding children's ability to comprehend road danger and apply that knowledge at different ages, and proper use of helmets.

Investment and promotion of child cycling education is essential.

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Approved by the CfSC Board, 2001 October 18