Safer cycling for families

Officers at Bury Council are encouraging parents and young people to get up to speed as regards cycling safely on the roads.

Cycling is the theme of this year’s Family Safety Week (2-7 March) run by the RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).

Instructors in Bury are providing Bikeability training to children throughout the borough. Youngsters taking the Level 1 course learn about basic equipment and bike maintenance checks, learning to control their bike through off-road games and activities. Older children taking the Level 2 course can learn about the Highway Code and transfer their Level 1 skills to completing manoeuvres and journeys on the road.

John Lynch, cycle instructor for Bury Council, said: “Children really enjoy the opportunity to develop their cycle control and on-road skills. The training can give them lessons for life and the feedback we receive from children and parents is very positive.”

There is also support for parents who may not feel confident riding a bike or need to upgrade their skills. Transport for Greater Manchester offers free adult cycle training courses, and they have maps for cycle facilities in Bury on their website at http://cycling.tfgm.com. Alternatively you can request a copy of the cycling map from Bury Council’s road safety team via roadsafety@bury.gov.uk or 0161 253 5552.

The council’s Sport and Physical Activity Service will be re-launching the Clarence Park ‘Wheels For All’ facility in April, which offers disabled children, young people and adults the opportunity to engage in fun cycling activity.

Advice on all aspects of road safety, from child car seats to learning to drive, can be found at www.bury.gov.uk/roadsafety

Top Tips for Cyclists

• Wear a cycle helmet.
• Check your bike before setting off.
• Take part in Bikeability training.
• Make sure other road users can see you.
• Obey traffic signals and signs.
• Be aware of vehicles.
• Be very careful at junctions.
• Never cycle on the inside of a large vehicle at a junction.
• Make eye contact with drivers.
• Leave a door’s width gap from parked cars.

Top tips for Drivers

• Give cyclists room when overtaking.
• When turning left be very careful of cyclists coming up on your inside.
• Take particular care of cyclists at junctions.
• Show cyclists courtesy and respect.
• Leave room for cyclists at traffic lights.
• Use your indicators.
• Check for cyclists before opening the car door.
• Follow the Highway Code.

For more information about cycling opportunities in Bury visit www.bury.gov.uk/events and www.bury.gov.uk/cycling.

ENDS

Press release issued: 27 January 2015.