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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
In happier times, this group produced this leaflet for parents. Main
production was by Simon Bennett, who has indicated willingness to do updates but doesn't read this group any more. I want to get some printed, but would like to suggest some minor changes first. I hope the group will concur or suggest improvements. The leaflet is available at www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/cyclingchild.htm The changes I propose a Page 2, grey background, para 2. Reword sentences 2 and 3 to: National records show it to be, mile for mile, about as safe as walking. While accidents can happen, they are ra there have been no child cyclist fatalities in the whole of London since 2004 (as at March 2008). [National stats - slight deterioration in cycling figures compared to walking; latest TfL stats on deaths, updated to March 08.] Page 4, green background, para 1. Reword to: The child should be able to stand astride the bike with both feet flat on the ground and the knees slightly bent, and when sitting on the saddle should be able to touch the ground with toes of both feet. [Standover height, in my view, should include a little clearance at the crotch.] Page 4, yellow background, para 3. Reword para 5 to: When the rear brake is applied and the bike pulled back, the front wheel should rise [A more stringent test - it's easy to get the wheel to skid.] What does the panel think? NB: suggestions for changes to helmet wording will not be entertained! Colin McKenzie -- No-one has ever proved that cycle helmets make cycling any safer at the population level, and anyway cycling is about as safe per mile as walking. Make an informed choice - visit www.cyclehelmets.org. |
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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
On Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:45:01 +0000, Colin McKenzie
wrote: In happier times, this group produced this leaflet for parents. Main production was by Simon Bennett, who has indicated willingness to do updates but doesn't read this group any more. I want to get some printed, but would like to suggest some minor changes first. I hope the group will concur or suggest improvements. The leaflet is available at www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/cyclingchild.htm The changes I propose a Page 2, grey background, para 2. Reword sentences 2 and 3 to: National records show it to be, mile for mile, about as safe as walking. While accidents can happen, they are ra there have been no child cyclist fatalities in the whole of London since 2004 (as at March 2008). Fine [National stats - slight deterioration in cycling figures compared to walking; latest TfL stats on deaths, updated to March 08.] Page 4, green background, para 1. Reword to: The child should be able to stand astride the bike with both feet flat on the ground and the knees slightly bent, and when sitting on the saddle should be able to touch the ground with toes of both feet. Fine - but perhaps better still: The child should be able to stand astride the bike *comfortably* with both feet flat on the ground... (I'm not sure that it is necessary to be able to touch the ground with the toes of both feet when sitting on the saddle, but it is probably a good idea for child cyclists.) [Standover height, in my view, should include a little clearance at the crotch.] Page 4, yellow background, para 3. Reword para 5 to: When the rear brake is applied and the bike pulled back, the front wheel should rise Much better. That is the test I have taught children to use for the past year or so.. [A more stringent test - it's easy to get the wheel to skid.] What does the panel think? NB: suggestions for changes to helmet wording will not be entertained! I use this wording on my website: No special clothing or safety equipment is necessary or required to ride a bicycle, but cycling can be made more comfortable by your clothing choices. Wear comfortable clothing in layers so it can be removed or put on. Any loose clothing or laces should be tucked away so it cannot be caught in moving parts. Hands get cold and cannot go in pockets while cycling - bring gloves, padded ones reduce strain on the wrist when cycling on uneven road surfaces. Shorts or leggings allow the legs to move freely, padded cycle shorts or padded cycle tights make sitting in a saddle for long periods more comfortable and can help reduce chaffing. Light coloured or high visibility clothing can make you more visible to other road users. Wearing a correctly fitted helmet cannot reduce the risk of a fall or collision, but may reduce the severity of a direct impact to the top part of the head. Full face helmets reduce a cyclist’s field of vision and should be avoided. Bring a spare inner tube (two spare tubes are recommended) and the tools to fix a puncture; on family rides and youth cycle rides the ride leader will bring spare tubes suitable for most sizes of children’s bikes. Pack some spare clothing and be prepared to remove some clothing, even in cold weather cycling can be hot work! Pack a waterproof if a shower is likely, sunglasses, a hat or sun tan lotion if it is sunny. Bring water, snacks and lunch unless buying at a café and some emergency money (£5 in coins is recommended for unaccompanied children and young people). Bring a good lock - D locks are the most secure type. The best place to store equipment, food and spare clothing is on the bike in a pannier bag or a bar bag, otherwise a rucksack or drawstring bag will do but will make cycling less comfortable. http://www.britishschoolofcycling.com/home/bring.htm |
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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
Tom Crispin wrote:
On Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:45:01 +0000, Colin McKenzie The changes I propose a Page 2, grey background, para 2. Reword sentences 2 and 3 to: National records show it to be, mile for mile, about as safe as walking. While accidents can happen, they are ra there have been no child cyclist fatalities in the whole of London since 2004 (as at March 2008). Fine Looks good to me too. Page 4, green background, para 1. Reword to: The child should be able to stand astride the bike with both feet flat on the ground and the knees slightly bent, and when sitting on the saddle should be able to touch the ground with toes of both feet. Fine - but perhaps better still: The child should be able to stand astride the bike *comfortably* with both feet flat on the ground... I like Tom's here, it amounts to about the same thing but is much more concise and easy to understand. Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/ |
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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
On Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:18:11 +0000, Peter Clinch
wrote: Tom Crispin wrote: On Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:45:01 +0000, Colin McKenzie The changes I propose a Page 2, grey background, para 2. Reword sentences 2 and 3 to: National records show it to be, mile for mile, about as safe as walking. While accidents can happen, they are ra there have been no child cyclist fatalities in the whole of London since 2004 (as at March 2008). Fine Looks good to me too. I've had second thoughts... Is the (as at March 2008) bit necessary: it sounds a bit like we are waiting for a child cyclist to be killed. I am convinced that there have been no child cyclists killed on London's roads since March (I would probably hear of such a case within hours of such a tragic event) and it doesn't need to be said "at the time of going to print" as that is obvious. Veena, at TfL's Centre of Cycling Excellence, advised me not even to mention the word 'death' or 'fatality' as it only has negative images. 'Safe', 'healthy' and 'fun' are the words to use. |
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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
Peter Clinch wrote:
Tom Crispin wrote: On Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:45:01 +0000, Colin McKenzie Page 4, green background, para 1. Reword to: The child should be able to stand astride the bike with both feet flat on the ground and the knees slightly bent, and when sitting on the saddle should be able to touch the ground with toes of both feet. Fine - but perhaps better still: The child should be able to stand astride the bike *comfortably* with both feet flat on the ground... I like Tom's here, it amounts to about the same thing but is much more concise and easy to understand. Me too! I knew my version wasn't too concise. Colin McKenzie -- No-one has ever proved that cycle helmets make cycling any safer at the population level, and anyway cycling is about as safe per mile as walking. Make an informed choice - visit www.cyclehelmets.org. |
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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
Tom Crispin wrote:
On Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:45:01 +0000, Colin McKenzie The changes I propose a Page 2, grey background, para 2. Reword sentences 2 and 3 to: National records show it to be, mile for mile, about as safe as walking. While accidents can happen, they are ra there have been no child cyclist fatalities in the whole of London since 2004 (as at March 2008). I've had second thoughts... Is the (as at March 2008) bit necessary: it sounds a bit like we are waiting for a child cyclist to be killed. I am convinced that there have been no child cyclists killed on London's roads since March (I would probably hear of such a case within hours of such a tragic event) and it doesn't need to be said "at the time of going to print" as that is obvious. I would be happy to leave it out. But the date of printing would have to go on, somewhere reasonably prominent. Veena, at TfL's Centre of Cycling Excellence, advised me not even to mention the word 'death' or 'fatality' as it only has negative images. 'Safe', 'healthy' and 'fun' are the words to use. Generally I would agree, but this statistic is worth proclaiming even though it does use the F word. How about adding on page 2, yellow background, as the last item, Be fun! Colin McKenzie -- No-one has ever proved that cycle helmets make cycling any safer at the population level, and anyway cycling is about as safe per mile as walking. Make an informed choice - visit www.cyclehelmets.org. |
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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
On Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:34:13 +0000, Tom Crispin
said in : Is the (as at March 2008) bit necessary: it sounds a bit like we are waiting for a child cyclist to be killed. I am convinced that there have been no child cyclists killed on London's roads since March (I would probably hear of such a case within hours of such a tragic event) and it doesn't need to be said "at the time of going to print" as that is obvious. Agreed. Of course there may be a tragedy between now and Jan 1, but we are nearly at the end of term and the chances of such an event escaping the notice of you, the TfL cycling people, CTC and Bob Davis' contacts in the RSO network is indeed slim. Veena, at TfL's Centre of Cycling Excellence, advised me not even to mention the word 'death' or 'fatality' as it only has negative images. 'Safe', 'healthy' and 'fun' are the words to use. Agreed doubleplus. Guy -- May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting. http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk 85% of helmet statistics are made up, 69% of them at CHS, Puget Sound GPG sig #3FA3BCDE http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/pgp-public-key.txt |
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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
On Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:34:13 +0000, Tom Crispin Veena, at TfL's Centre of Cycling Excellence, advised me not even to mention the word 'death' or 'fatality' as it only has negative images. 'Safe', 'healthy' and 'fun' are the words to use. Agreed doubleplus. Absolutely. There's no need to quote any accident figures at all. *Any* mention of accidents will simply concentrate people's minds on the downside risks. "About as safe as walking" is honest, and lets people make their own judgements as to whether that's an acceptable level of risk for them or not. Phil -- http://www.kantaka.co.uk/ .oOo. public key: http://www.kantaka.co.uk/gpg.txt |
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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
On Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:58:50 +0000, Colin McKenzie
wrote: Tom Crispin wrote: On Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:45:01 +0000, Colin McKenzie The changes I propose a Page 2, grey background, para 2. Reword sentences 2 and 3 to: National records show it to be, mile for mile, about as safe as walking. While accidents can happen, they are ra there have been no child cyclist fatalities in the whole of London since 2004 (as at March 2008). I've had second thoughts... Is the (as at March 2008) bit necessary: it sounds a bit like we are waiting for a child cyclist to be killed. I am convinced that there have been no child cyclists killed on London's roads since March (I would probably hear of such a case within hours of such a tragic event) and it doesn't need to be said "at the time of going to print" as that is obvious. I would be happy to leave it out. But the date of printing would have to go on, somewhere reasonably prominent. Veena, at TfL's Centre of Cycling Excellence, advised me not even to mention the word 'death' or 'fatality' as it only has negative images. 'Safe', 'healthy' and 'fun' are the words to use. Generally I would agree, but this statistic is worth proclaiming even though it does use the F word. OK - I realise why I've been a little confused. The version of the leaflet printed by TfL is slightly different to the version on Peter Clinch's website: Page 2 Grey background Para 1 - same Para 2 - Cycling is a safe healthy activity which mile for mile is every bit as safe as walking. The long term health benefits of regular exercise, especially among children, are well proven by health professionals, and cycling to school is an excellent way to ensure your child has that regular exercise. Young children can be accompanied on their bikes to school by parents or carers; older children can cycle with friends or independently. Para 3 - same Para 4 - There is no legal requirement to wear a cycle helmet, but it may be a condition of your child's cycle trainer's insurance. Please note that helmets are not designed to withstand high speed impacts and it is important that they are fitted correctly. (I hate the wording of that final paragraph.) How about adding on page 2, yellow background, as the last item, Be fun! Good. |
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Cycling and your child leaflet - update?
On 13 Dec, 22:45, Colin McKenzie wrote:
In happier times, this group produced this leaflet for parents. Main production was by Simon Bennett, who has indicated willingness to do updates but doesn't read this group any more. I want to get some printed, but would like to suggest some minor changes first. I hope the group will concur or suggest improvements. The leaflet is available at www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/cyclingchild.htm The changes I propose a Page 2, grey background, para 2. Reword sentences 2 and 3 to: National records show it to be, mile for mile, about as safe as walking. While accidents can happen, they are ra there have been no child cyclist fatalities in the whole of London since 2004 (as at March 2008). [National stats - slight deterioration in cycling figures compared to walking; latest TfL stats on deaths, updated to March 08.] Page 4, green background, para 1. Reword to: The child should be able to stand astride the bike with both feet flat on the ground and the knees slightly bent, and when sitting on the saddle should be able to touch the ground with toes of both feet. [Standover height, in my view, should include a little clearance at the crotch.] Page 4, yellow background, para 3. Reword para 5 to: When the rear brake is applied and the bike pulled back, the front wheel should rise [A more stringent test - it's easy to get the wheel to skid.] What does the panel think? NB: suggestions for changes to helmet wording will not be entertained! Colin McKenzie -- No-one has ever proved that cycle helmets make cycling any safer at the population level, and anyway cycling is about as safe per mile as walking. Make an informed choice - visitwww.cyclehelmets.org. All road users are aware of the ability of some cyclists to achieve perfection in camouflage, particularly in the current dull weather and dark evenings. Whilst 'no special clothing' is correct per se, high visibility, including in clothing, and particularly fluorescent/ reflective jackets, and advisabilty and low cost of these should be emphasised in terms of use of a bike on the open road. In addition the use of a helmet should be a positive recommendation. On both topics there is too much condescension in the leaflet to our 'I'm a cyclist everybody should see me brigade' prevalent here, at the expense of the need in the real world to take basic prudent action on safety issues. These are self-evident to everyone else and need only be presented as positive and reasonable to avoid the charge of deterring from cycling because of danger. And no, I'm not entering into discussion on it: I'll leave our usual contributors to their amazingly predictable attacks of the vapours. Toom |
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