Learning to ‘Cycle Right’ in Presentation Primary
Some 28 pupils in Fermoy are currently taking part in the Cycle Right Training Programme, seven of whom had very limited cycling ability and are now well versed on keeping their bicycles on the straight and narrow.
The programme is supported by Cork County Council and this week, Cork County Council Road and Water Safety Officer, Caroline Casey visited Presentation Primary School for the most recent training session - the school has already progresssed to its fifth week of mentoring.
“There was a gap in schools in theAvondhu and North Cork area where a lot were not doing cycle training. In order to address it, we decided to support Cycle Safety in the county and set up Safe Cycle hubs. We’re now working with teachers and we have trained up a number of teachers to continue cycle training,” Caroline explained.
As part of the programme, Caroline visits local schools to run the six week course, teachers train on the programme so that they can continue cycle safety education and the school receives a bank of around ten bikes, which are recycled.
“We at Cork County Council provide the equipment and expertise and once the training is complete, the school then has the ability to continue, and cycle training becomes a part of what they do at the school,” Caroline said.
For instance, at Presentation Primary School in Fermoy, three teachers, are now trained to provide training and will be continuing the programme next year.
Fourth class pupils at the school have been split into groups, a beginners group who are learning cycling basics such as balance and coordination and a more advanced group who are learning about the rules of the road, roundabouts and taking left or right turns.
“The children that have just learned to cycle, you can see the confidence shining out of their eyes when they take off now. They’re absolutely delighted,” Caroline added.
Certainly, a valuable introduction to cycling safely and road use for these youngsters.