Keeping children safe on our roads

6.52.11pm GMT Sat 6th Feb 2010

• MORE than 400 children have been taught to walk and ride safely on roads by Richmond Council this month, through practical training sessions at their schools. Already this academic year, at least 700 children have been presented with badges and certificates to prove their knowledge.

Cllr David Trigg, Richmond Council's Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking said: "The hope is that by helping children to feel safe and confident on the roads, they will continue to think about walking and cycling as a way to get around as they get older. It's healthy, cheap and good for the environment and is one of the easiest ways for most people to get to school every day. The Council is committed to sustainable travel, and the more of the next generation that we can teach to cycle safely, the better and less congested the borough will be."

At least 30 sessions were held in schools during January and more are taking place during February. Every year the Council's road safety education work gives 2,000 year three pupils practical lessons on finding safe places to cross, how to use different crossings, potential hazards and rules of the road. This is to equip children with the skills they need to make journeys before their parents allow them out alone. More than 4,000 children in years five and six at primary schools are also trained in basic and more advanced cycling. In the playground they are taught how to control a bike, looking out for traffic and people walking, signalling, and basic bike maintenance. The advanced lessons are carried out on the roads and teach children road rules and how to cycle at various junctions, roundabouts and crossings.