School children in Cumbria will be taught how to stay safe and be seen on their bikes courtesy of Cyclewise Training.
Cumbria County Council’s Better Ways to School (BWTS) unit has teamed up with Cyclewise Training to visit all schools in Cumbria to give presentations and practical training to youngsters. On Friday 11th November, the team will be checking bikes and giving their presentation at Lazonby school near Penrith from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.
As the nights become darker earlier it is important that children are visible on the roads and can be seen by motorists. To help equip the kids with all they need to stay safe on their bikes this winter BWTS and Cyclewise Training have devised a Cycle Safety Scheme. Every bike shop in the county has signed up to the scheme to offer a 10% discount on all cycle safety products, such as helmets, lights, bells and high visibility clothing.
County councillor Geoff Hodgson, cabinet spokesman for community safety said:
"We are delighted to be working with Cyclewise Training in implementing the Cycle Safety Scheme. Our aim is to encourage those who can, to cycle to school with the information and equipment they need to be safe and to be seen".
Rich Martin from Cyclewise Training said:
"The amount of children we see riding their bikes without the correct safety equipment is horrifying. During our presentations we show the children the ‘egg test’. This is where we drop an egg wearing a little helmet and without and show the obvious damage difference. We then show some helmets that have cracked after real accidents which reinforce the need to wear a helmet when cycling."