This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6494309.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
New cycling tests to be launched | New cycling tests to be launched |
(about 4 hours later) | |
New cycling proficiency tests for children, to be carried out on roads, are set to be launched in England. | New cycling proficiency tests for children, to be carried out on roads, are set to be launched in England. |
The Bikeability award scheme aims to give children a more realistic experience of coping on the road. | The Bikeability award scheme aims to give children a more realistic experience of coping on the road. |
It comes after a pilot project involving more than 5,000 children in eight regions. | It comes after a pilot project involving more than 5,000 children in eight regions. |
The government is putting £10m into children's cycling, which will pay for around half of all 10-year-olds to take the Bikeability course. | The government is putting £10m into children's cycling, which will pay for around half of all 10-year-olds to take the Bikeability course. |
It is estimated that more than 90% of youngsters have never cycled to school. | It is estimated that more than 90% of youngsters have never cycled to school. |
Bikeability is run by Cycling England, a body set up by the government to encourage children and adults to cycle. | Bikeability is run by Cycling England, a body set up by the government to encourage children and adults to cycle. |
As much as anything else, what Bikeability is there for is actually to convince mums and to convince people like teachers that cycling is really OK Kevin MayneCycling England | As much as anything else, what Bikeability is there for is actually to convince mums and to convince people like teachers that cycling is really OK Kevin MayneCycling England |
In the last 10 years the number of trips taken by bike is estimated to have fallen by one fifth. | |
Cycling England's Kevin Mayne said Bikeability's predecessor, the Cycling Proficiency Test, "wasn't doing the job". | Cycling England's Kevin Mayne said Bikeability's predecessor, the Cycling Proficiency Test, "wasn't doing the job". |
"In some cases, it kind of told children about the dangers of cycling without telling them about all the positive things," he told BBC News. | "In some cases, it kind of told children about the dangers of cycling without telling them about all the positive things," he told BBC News. |
"As much as anything else, what Bikeability is there for is actually to convince mums and to convince people like teachers that cycling is really OK." | "As much as anything else, what Bikeability is there for is actually to convince mums and to convince people like teachers that cycling is really OK." |
Defensive | Defensive |
Unlike the Cycling Proficiency Test, which generally took place in the school playground, many of the Bikeability tests are carried out on the roads. | Unlike the Cycling Proficiency Test, which generally took place in the school playground, many of the Bikeability tests are carried out on the roads. |
Children are taught the kind of observation, road positioning and defensive driving tactics that new motorists learn. | Children are taught the kind of observation, road positioning and defensive driving tactics that new motorists learn. |
Cycling England has said it hopes that within five years all school-leaving children will have passed the test. | Cycling England has said it hopes that within five years all school-leaving children will have passed the test. |
In the pilot scheme, which involved Merseyside, Exeter, Essex, Cornwall, Manchester, Hertfordshire, the Isle of Wight, and Kingston in London, nearly 10,000 badges were awarded. | In the pilot scheme, which involved Merseyside, Exeter, Essex, Cornwall, Manchester, Hertfordshire, the Isle of Wight, and Kingston in London, nearly 10,000 badges were awarded. |