Road deaths prompt call for cycling safety tests
POLICE in Hucknall are calling on all young cyclists to take a proficiency test, following the death of two teenagers in the area this year.
Harrison Carlin, 15, died when he was hit by a car as he cycled along Forest Lane, Papplewick, in July, on the way to play football with his friends.
Harrison's school, the National Academy, suffered a second tragedy in September when 12-year-old Jeffrey Townley died after a collision with a van in Linby Road, Hucknall.
Now, Sergeant Simon Scales, neighbourhood policing officer for Hucknall, has made it his mission to educate young people about road safety.
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He says every young cyclist should do a cycle proficiency test called Bikeability.
The scheme, delivered in Notts by the county council's road safety team, aims to train half a million children to cycle safely by the end of the year.
The ultimate aim is that no child should leave primary school without the training.
So far, around 250,000 young cyclists in the country have taken part and received a Bikeability badge.
"I'm calling on everybody to get on board," Sgt Scales said. "This road safety course is about protecting the next generation, helping it to survive and making sure the youngsters get through life without serious injuries."
Sgt Scales has also been promoting a government road safety initiative called Tales of the Road by giving talks at all of Hucknall's primary schools and handing out more than 1,000 leaflets on raod safety. "This is a brilliant government campaign, but I don't think enough people know about it.
"It's a fantastic resource but children need to be reminded about road safety every day."
Sgt Scales and his team have also given out 200 bike lights for free and are currently raising funds to hand out 200 more.
"People aren't aware that cycling in the dark is against the law and can lead to a fine of up to £30," he said.
His team also supports the Put Things Right group, which has been set up to reduce the risk of more children and teenagers in Hucknall losing their lives on roads.
A spokesman for the county council said 154 schools across the county took part in the cycle training scheme last year and, this year, more than 2,000 pupils will receive Level 2 training.
Every junior school in Hucknall has already booked courses for this school year.
For more information, visit www.putthingsright.org.uk.
Comments
by PotatoMan11
Monday, December 10 2012, 11:46AM
“So in the training are they going to show you how not to be killed when someone runs you over in a car? Classic victim blaming.
Maybe we should hand out trainers and give running lessons to people who might be mugged?”
by surfdood
Thursday, December 06 2012, 7:14PM
“I read all 4 posts and think "petty" picking over lights/dark, thinking you are missing the point! I live in Hucknall and my kids knew both children who died. The police have attended assemblies all week about road safety and at least seem to be doing something positive. Surely all the parents out there should be ensuring the kids have the kit rather then the police wasting our money chasing the kids to issue tickets. TBH the parents should be getting the fines not the kids.”
by digbypatch
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 6:01PM
“Formerlyw
i have never seen the sun out when it is dark.”
by digbypatch
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 5:59PM
“Sgt Scales and his colleagues should also start to book any cyclist for many of the other offences you see them commiting each day ie cycling on the pavement,riding without lights on when it is dark,failing to obey traffic lights and not stopping at junctions to name just a few.
years a go you were always stopped by the Police for not riding correctly but now they just seen to turn a blind eye and drive past.”
by FormerlyW
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 1:30PM
“Perhaps by "in the dark," he means with no adequate source of light, whether it be the Sun or a cycle light.”
by liz545
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 1:16PM
“I'd be interested to see why Sgt Scales thinks cycling in the dark is illegal - certainly cycling without lights is an offence, but I don't see anything in the Highway Code that states that you can only ride a bike in daylight hours.”