What Is Bike Ed?
Bike Ed is a Vic Roads approved resource of Traffic Safety Education. It was first introduced in 1996 for the Federal Office of Road Safety for primary schools. Bike Ed fits well into the Physical, Personal and Social Learning Strand at Levels 3 and 4 and in particular the Health and Physical Education Domain.
Why Teach Bike Ed?
- Develop safe and independent cyclists
- Cycling is an excellent form of physical activity
- Inexpensive form of transport promoting a healthy lifestyle
Learning safe riding skills is important as younger cyclists are at risk of being seriously injured than older adult riders. Up to 24% of cyclist casualties occur when a cyclist rides on the road from a footpath or driveway and is hit by a car. Over half of these cyclists are under 15 years of age. Approximately 30% of cyclists casualties occur when a driver crosses the path of an oncoming cyclist, while about 20% of cyclist casualties occur when a driver hits a cyclist from behind or side. Almost 10% of cyclist casualties occur when a diver opens their door in the path of a cyclist.
What is the aim our Bike Ed program?
- Increase rider competency
- Improve rider confidence
- Promote safe strategies for riding in traffic
- Familiarise children with relevant road laws
- Provide safe methods to negotiate common traffic situations
Who is Bike Ed for?
Our Bike Ed Program is designed for children in grades 3, 4 and 5 with the ultimate goal for students to become competent to ride safely and independently on the road.
Overview of the Bike Ed program
Our Bike Ed program is designed for children in level 3, 4 and 5 and involves a mix of practical activities conducted off-road (within school grounds) and on-road (on local roads / bike paths), together with classroom activities.
Program structure:
Prior to the commencement of Bike Ed, Cycling Unlimited offers an equipment inspection day to ensure all bikes and helmets are in good working order and safe for the program. Each participant will receive a bike equipment safety check list as well as a hand out to take home to attend to any maintenance required.
The program consists of seven modules. To ensure a great learning outcome we deliver all our programs with a student to instructor ratio of no more than 10:1. Two qualified Bike Ed Instructors for each group (up to 20 participants per group).
Cycling Unlimited offers two great ways of running the Bike Ed program and can be tailored to the schools curriculum as required.