Press release -
RAC welcomes TFL child cycling training pledge
The RAC welcomes the move by Transport for London (TfL) to prioritise cycle training for children across the capital.
Under the new scheme every child will be offered free cycling training as part of a new Delivery Plan for Young People.
RAC head of external affairs Pete Williams said: “TfL deserve applause for this initiative which will help equip young Londoners to be safe and healthy cyclists and to raise awareness of road safety generally. The Bikeability training scheme has proved itself as a worthy replacement for the old Cycle Proficiency Test and it is fantastic news that every school child in the capital will now be able to benefit from this essential safety training.
“In 2012 a total of 1,045* children were injured as pedestrians and 175 as cyclists in London which equates to 12% of these accidents for all ages. Sadly, five of these children were fatally injured.
“The RAC has just launched our own Child Road Safety Campaign with Horace a new road safety mascot for the 21st century created by Aardman and endorsed by the Department for Transport’s THINK! campaign.
“We are encouraging school children across the UK to use their creative skills to make their own road safety animation movies telling key road safety and cycle safety messages to their fellow pupils. We believe that it is every child’s right to receive suitable training to equip them to keep safe on and around our roads and to help them become safe and responsible road users. Visit rac.co.uk/childroadsafety to find out more about our road safety animation competition and ‘Like’ Horace’s Facebook page facebook.com/HoraceChampion
Topics
Notes to Editors
* RAS30043 Reported casualties by region, local authority and road user type, England, 2012 – child pedestrians and child pedal cyclists
About the RAC
First formed in 1897, the RAC has been looking after the needs of its members and championing the interests of drivers for more than 120 years.
Today it has more than eight million members and is one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.
The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK drivers at a national level. This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting the needs of all drivers, from young to old.
The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring – first published in 1989 – is one of a kind and provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.
For the very latest news on UK fuel prices, check RAC Fuel Watch. It provides a comprehensive guide to the latest UK unleaded petrol and diesel prices – both at the wholesale level and at the pump - and tracks these prices daily to help drivers check if the price they pay to fill up is a fair one.
