If only there were a course - in schools, in the community, through the
DOT ... required (or maybe strongly suggested) for all bicycle riders.
How do people learn biking? Usually it's by osmosis, with parents
providing the initial balancing hand until two-wheels are mastered and
then it's "see ya later." Bikie parents probably have nurtured the
proper behavior through modeling and active teaching. My own child has
been riding since before she was born - through the stages, we've
emphasized proper fit and maintenance of bike, helmet, riding on the
right side, signaling, appropriate clothing, mirrors, lights, rules,
laws, etc. But most kids get a bike and that's that. They may encounter
a bike rodeo or bike safety workshop in elementary school, but who is
reinforcing wearing the helmet, not riding against traffic, not darting
into traffic, obeying road signs, how to signal and turn left, etc.? No one.
We seem to be stuck in this country between the prevailing opinion that
the bicycle is a toy and the necessity and increasing realization that
the bicycle is a vehicle. The way we "teach" bicycling and laws
pertaining to bicycling - both to bicyclists and automobile drivers - is
mostly from the "toy" perspective, it seems to me. Here I am not
including the good and important courses offered by BFW, LAW, etc., but
more the attitude of those in charge of scheduling, (not) requiring and
reinforcing such education - governing bodies made up mostly of "bike is
toy" mindsets.
Were we truly considering the bicycle as a vehicle, we would demand and
include much more and much more formal bicycle education (similar to
driver's education), much more information about dealing with bicyclists
in driver's education AND much stronger laws pertaining to
bicycle/automobile collisions (and much better dedicated bicycle travel
and parking infrastructure.)
Perhaps there needs to be a push to mandate inclusion of bicycle
instruction in elementary schools (at least), similar to egislation that
mandates education about Native Americans or mandates education about
cooperatives in high school. The case could be made that it's important
as bicycle commuting becomes more popular for fuel saving and
environmental health AND as schools appear to be cutting back on
physical activities with all the other (non physical) mandates.
- cathy in la crosse
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