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not resolvedMy eldest is now if an age to cycle his own bike for transport. So I have 2 questions
1. How best to teach him road sense? and
2. How best to accompany him along the occasional busy road if our route necessitates it?
In my head they are different questions as I will be more inclined to give him some leeway on quieter roads.
Any advice welcome.
I have some experience in this with my family.
I'm happy to join you for a cycle, or lend you some of mine...
Basically, child in front when single file, with adult hanging out slightly.
Two abreast (adult outboard) whenever you would opt for a primary position, which probably includes your busy road. However on the quiet road, two abreast is still more pleasant for conversation.
Unfortunately, drivers object to a pair cycling two abreast, so this is often easier if you're in a larger group.
There's been similar discussion before.
Robert
HankChief
Good for you and I hope your son continues to make progress with cycling.
I work as a Bikeability tutor and so I'd suggest ensuring he can do all of the basics really well, such as safe start and stop, slow speed control, and knows how and why to signal and shoulder check. Then teach him road signs and markings and highlight hazards, blind spots and how risky behaviour by drivers can affect him.
Always ride behind him so that you can see him and hazards. This this will make it easier for you to comment on developing situations. Ensure he knows what to do if something goes wrong and praise good judgement.
Peripheral vision takes longer to develop in boys so you should be aware of this.
All the best.
Cheers
Colin
The thing I found the most surprising challenge was explaining the 'rules of the road' and some of the key hazards.
It's quite easy in principle to train the things that @Colin mentions, and definitely worth doing so that you have got the concept of a right turn straight before actually trying it on a busy road for the first time (as an aside, roads that seem quiet to you may suddenly seem busy when you have a free-range child on a bike).
I have the excellent Bikeability tutor's handbook, which is a waterproof book of pictures that shows how to do the various manoeuvres, and is great for explaining them. Happy to lend it to you.
Anyway, back to the rules of the road point. Having some basic concept of who gives way to whom, who has 'priority' and such like is worth it. I had some initial problems with getting Mini-Greenroofer to 'go', as she kept stopping every time she saw a car approaching us. In your case Mini-Chief will presumably have had the benefit of your running commentary while stoking your daily rides, assuming of course that he can see past you to the thing you're talking about.
The art of this is to pass on enough information beforehand that you're not issuing a continual stream of shouted instructions, because that can get wearing for adult and demoralising for child.
I did enjoy reading the highway code when I was young. At the very least, all the signs. It got absorbed and a decade later I didn't have any particular problem with the driving theory test.
As a secondary aid to general road training I would suggest a paper copy left around the house somewhere.
Thanks all. I hadn't really thought about having a chat beforehand.
It's just been part of utility cycling so far and quite a bit of communication from me not all of which lands correctly.
@Greenroofer- I can take you up of the loan of the handbook that would be great.
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