Every year, large numbers of children are killed or injured in road accidents when riding their bicycles. The present study aimed to assess whether cycle training schemes lead to improved cycling skills and knowledge. A total of 1,974 children took part in the project. They completed a quiz containing questions about the Highway Code and their cycling skills were assessed when performing manoeuvres at a T junction. It was found that children who had received formal cycle training tuition were more likely to be rated as safe when performing cycling manoeuvres than the untrained children. The trained children also obtained significantly higher scores on the knowledge quiz. Differences were found between the various types of cycle training courses. (A)
Abstract