The scheme now set for Ireland has worked well in the UK; here Scottish legend Graeme Obree puts children through their paces at a session in Edinburgh.
A new national cycle safety standard for Ireland is to be developed and rolled out by the national governing body Cycling Ireland, it was emerged.
Having spent nine years working in the cycle safety field, Barbara Connolly, a former director of Cycling Ireland, has been named as Ireland’s first cycling standard project development officer and will be in charge of the process.
In the UK, the National Standard for Cycle Training and its ‘Bikeability’ scheme was launched in 2005.
It is built upon similar principles to training for motorcycle riders and car drivers; teaching the importance of assessing the likely risks faced by road users.
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The new scheme will specialise in teaching children of school-going age how to cycle safely, with instructors going into schools to give tuittion. However, other delivery models aimed at tutoring adults will also be developed.
The new Irish version is expected to based on the Dublin City Council 'Bike Start Programme' which was launched in 2009 and will be aimed towards the casual cyclist who wants to equip themselves better on the road.
Connolly’s role will also involve recruiting and developing new trainers for the project which is funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
While getting kids on bikes and teaching them how to ride safely will be the order of the day, adults who want to improve their bike handling and cycling safety will also be catered for.
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“I am delighted to be coming on board with Cycling Ireland working on the programme in cycle proficiency,” said Connolly.
“It’s an area I have been involved with for many years and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work on the development of a national standard.
"(It) will ensure a delivery of quality safety and skills training going forward and will introduce a growing number of children and adults to the marvellous health pursuit that is cycling.”
Working alongside the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Road Safety Authority, Dublin City Council, An Taisce, the Garda Síochana, Coaching Ireland, local authorities and the Department of Education, tCycling Ireland hopes the project will transform the standard and delivery of cycling in Ireland:
“This is a very exciting departure for Cycling Ireland, which will see us broaden our remit as an NGB by entering into the cycle safety and proficiency space for the first time,” says Rachel Ormrod, Cycling Ireland’s coach education and development manager.
“Barbara brings a wealth of experience to the role and we are looking forward to bringing this project to fruition, as it will transform cycling in Ireland.”
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