Clocks back - mind that cyclist!

As a schoolgirl in the 70s, we walked to and from school every day in all weathers. Few families owned second cars and while the roads were less congested the instance of traffic accidents still as significant and certainly not taken any less seriously, than they are today.

It was dark walking to school back then. So dark the local council issued us with glow in the dark armbands which we wore on top of our duffle coats. We resembled a mini fluorescent army marching up and down the road to school.

This week the days have got noticeably shorter and as the clocks go back tonight our mornings and evenings will become darker still. ROSPA reports the most dangerous hours for a cyclist are between the hours of 8.00- 9.00am and 3.00 - 6.00pm and that most fatal cycling accidents occur in the dark. One fifth of cyclists killed are children, with the instances increasing as they get older, the age group 10 to 15 years being the most at risk.

As the mother of a 10 year old cyclist I am admittedly concerned. However, what concerns me more is the lack of cycling proficiency skills in this age group and lack of parents cycling with young kids on the road.

I recently took my son for a ride on the roads around central Bath. He was understandably nervous, even a little scared, but he carefully listened to my instructions and gradually built his confidence. The experience was surprisingly good. When cycling with a small boy I found car drivers slowed down and gave us a wide berth. Smiling and thanking every driver as they past us also helped. The sense of achievement that my 10 yr old felt at the end of the ride was pretty good too.

Sharing my experience with other parents and friends, I was disappointed how few felt it was a responsible action on my part and even fewer would consider cycling on the road themselves let alone allow their child to do so. So how do we create a safer cycling culture if we don't teach how to go about it at an early stage? As a cyclist, I see plenty examples of cyclists displaying poor road awareness and as a car driver, witness some equally bad driving.

Not all schools run cycling prof courses, some of that is down to funding but mostly it is not seen as an educational target so it is up to us adults to teach the next generation of riders.  In Bath, the local council offers cycle training and their are examples of learn to ride initiatives all over the country.

Lots is written about who owns the right to a space on the road, inconsiderate and aggressive drivers, inconsiderate and foolhardy cyclists, unobservant pedestrians and so on. Should we maybe focus harder on looking out for each other? Imagine if we just cared a bit more about our fellow man rather than jostling for position. Drivers who care about cyclists and vice versa as well as cyclist caring about pedestrians are surely happier and safer for it.

I for one will be getting my fluorescent jacket on and lighting up a smile for all those drivers, cyclists and pedestrians who watch out for me in the darkness.