A Boy Goes Cycling - GB

[Music] so [Music] our roads are like a jungle man killing vehicles prowl and pounce about us every day meet danger everywhere they go the promise of an experience can be high an experienced driver may be careless the results can be as bad carelessness inexperience what we can't make good we throw away but what do we do for people who have accidents that's a different story a learner can't be left to himself he must be taught control of his machine and the highway code whichever way he travels alan is a keen cyclist so is his friend david both would rather cycle to school and go by bus but they haven't passed the cycling proficiency test every morning they head for the bus stop and every morning they find themselves on the end of the queue it's hard that when we're late the bus is usually late as well friends go by with a cheerful way knowing that they'll be in school early but david and alan aren't so fortunate at the end of the day they'll be waiting again outside the headmaster's room that's quarter past four if you own a cycle there's only one sensible answer go in for the cycling test give the certificate and cycle to school every day a worthwhile cyclist rides a worthwhile machine perfect condition correct size adjusted to suit his needs saddle and handlebar set to the correct riding position one foot comfortable on the ground brake levers in reach of open fingers without need to move the hands from spoke tension to the very last nut an all-over check must be made all bicycles will be inspected ring repair outfits and tools check handlebars saddle positions pedals chain tension tire pressure wheel rims brake levers brake cables brake blocks david will soon know what's wrong with his machine prefects who pass the test make excellent helpers pedals turning freely all bearings correctly adjusted nowhere else protective lights secure mud guards breaks and work what were you told lubricate your brake cable and air practice begins in cycle control a good cyclist uses his foot like a hand and his ankle like a wrist and turns the pedals now it's possible to control movement and direction beautifully emergency stop the moment requiring effective control instant obedience to halt comfortably in the right distance the next stage is harder the obstacles test balance control use of pedals and brakes judgment of speed and distance david's got a lot to learn the arrows won't be there in the test but at this stage they're very helpful a safe right turn is made by working as one of the team other people must know what you're going to do to be able to fit in with your drill check over your right shoulder signal clearly when safe move to position just left of the middle of the road keep your right arm out till you turn here comes the right turn signal check behind signal move out hop before the crossroads check the road is clear cycle to the center of the crossroad turn go well to the left all the time practice goes on the road safety sergeant is keenly interested in this work he emphasizes signals should be clear as well as correct and given in plenty of time every kind of aid is used to show each situation clearly on a police-controlled crossing the cyclist must be able to understand police signals and make clear what he's going to do david has a lot to remember when he shows a right turn on a police-controlled crossing traffic can't be left to sort itself out the policeman is there to decide whose turn it must be to move but the policeman can only help if he knows what you want to do and this is where teamwork really shows policemen and cyclists work together until an immediate and correct reaction follows each one of his signals the order of change in traffic lights is explained the cyclists learn they may signal in advance their intention but only move on the green traffic lights of this design can be made on school premises fluorescent paint makes them easy to see and they're simple to operate all through the course should david or one of his friends need help the teacher is standing by david and alan are keen to practice the drills they learn in the playground they choose an area free of heavy traffic and concentrate on normal safe cycling keeping to a quiet road they make a reasonable left turn approaching a main road check behind signal clearly move out just left to the middle slow down stop wait there's no rush hour traveling at this time without corner cutting move directly to the near side curve lovely not going to wait now before the test thank goodness the highway code is simple to read confidence in sign language hello tuesday is the day when [Music] why it's our police sergeant hmm oh this all gonna know their stuff let's look at their maintenance l bearings okay great cables and a little slack here get them again obstacle test coming up let's see hmm good balance clear judgment of distance 12 marks out of 12. nicely done you don't think so and where do you try [Music] breaking now lisa but did he really look behind him no the emergency stop and the poem steady control back wheels get there go off your marks your most important drill next off you go check the line signaling good time move out just left to the middle of the watch the whole sign check both ways not bad at all just a fraction they checking beyond no wonder we're strict about this drill five thousand cyclists a year have been in accidents weighing out a normal right tone the lights are red did you know and the left nice folk turn 709 steady david up on the green but remember only if the royal air view is clear the whole layout for the course and test has been arranged outside the netball court and the test can be carried out with quite simple equipment knowledge of signals care or model what do you think now to work out the total marks the low ones must be encouraged bear in mind we don't want to make anyone feel a failure if your mouths are below standard we want to help you do better next time john asked elaine peter david all passed colin and terry hey but try again you went past a red light calling and lost puzzle points not bad 10 other 12 were successful although david and alan burn their badges they may still make mistakes an ex-cyclist himself david's father will be delighted but right now he hasn't kind of spared evening appointments can be most awkward and little delays don't help at all oh only one thing to be done x cyclist did someone say i'll show you he he remembers to pass his briefcase but just remember this point then uh when you go to a crossroads now don't forget another thing there's cycling proficiency for you [Music] foreign