Arthur Lamy wonders whether road safety training should be a mainstream subject in schools.

I was interested to see that the Institute of Advanced Motoring advises ‘life- long’ learning as a way to cut down on the accidents on our roads. It also suggests more police presence on the roads to deter speeders, and tax breaks for companies that offer their staff driver training.

I found the ‘life-long’ learning aspect in tune with something that I had been thinking about for a while; this was the provision of road safety training as a mainstream subject in schools.

This would be taught right from primary school age right up to when youngsters leave. What they would be taught would relate directly to whatever means of transport they used at that age; so younger children would learn using crossings and pavement safety, while the oldest teenagers would learn motorcycle riding and car driving.

The training would be phased so that, for example, pupils would learn how to use a 50cc restricted speed moped well before they could legally go on the road. By doing this, the training could be both thorough and gradual, and though there is nothing like experience, it would mean that youngsters were competent drivers or motorcycle riders well before they actually had to experience traffic.

I know that schools do provide some of this training, and that there is cycling proficiency and motorcycle training available as well, but if it was continuous and relative to the age group during their school life, I’d imagine that one skill would blend with another and the result might be a very competent and safe road user.

Braking News

Woolly jumpers, cotton caps and tubulars
Being something of a traditionalist, I’m a big fan of L’Eroica. Notice no ‘T’ in the word! This is a retro event run on the gravel roads of Tuscany. Riders must ride pre 1987 bikes, though many choose much more venerable mounts. If you weren’t aware it was happening you could easily think that you’d been hurled back in time to the post-war years.  The hospitality and enthusiasm at the event takes some beating too!

Take a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcTV9FBHOlM

You could buy a car for that!
Pat McQuaid, the president of the UCI,  who was attending the World Cycling Track Championships in Copenhagen this week, has brought up the rule that all bikes used for UCI and IOC events must be commercially available. He felt that at least three nations were flouting the regulations.

McQuaid did not however put any parameters on what ‘commercially available’ meant, but it’s reasonable to assume that the highly researched and developed prototypes that some teams ride, and which cost between 50,000 and 20,000 euros don’t fit the bill.

Sprint Bonuses

* As anticipated, Sir Chris Hoy won a 10th world title at the World Cycling Track Championships in Copenhagen this week. He won gold in the keirin race, but unfortunately failed to regain his world sprint title. Hoy went out in the quarter finals to Frenchman Gregory Bauge.

* Meanwhile Victoria Pendleton, the face of Hovis, had a great week: she increased her tally of world titles to eight, taking her fourth gold in the women’s sprint.

* Bike imports into the USA fell dramatically in January this year. Almost 140,000 less bikes came in, the biggest fall came in bikes that were imported from Taiwan, there was a 72% fall in 26″ wheel bikes and 700c wheeled bikes fell 31%.

* British Tour de France hero, Mark Cavendish was forced out of the Tour of Catalonia with flu this week, although he had shown good early season form by winning stage 2 of the race on Tuesday .

* The Institute of Advanced Motorists has suggested that a life-long approach to learning is the way to make our roads safer. In its ‘ Road Safety Manifesto’, published recently, it calls for all political parties to look to increasing the skills of road users.

And Finally,
Don’t send any of our safety conscious politicians over to Alderney. I was there recently, and I was taken aback by the sight of a guy on a 750 Kawaski going past without a crash helmet. Over there you don’t have to wear seat belts in cars, or motorcycle helmets, so I imagine that cycle helmet laws are a long way off.

Arthur Lamy is a freelance tourist guide and writer. www.arthurlamy.com