CYCLING

LARSOA recognises the importance of cycling as a sustainable form of transport and an increasingly popular leisure pursuit with positive health benefits. However, there are conflicts arising from the need to increase cycling, balanced against the obvious vulnerability of cyclists in many current traffic situations. The safety of cyclists is LARSOA's main concern.

Many local authorities have begun to reconsider their service and provision for cyclists in the light of the Cycling Strategy. LARSOA supports this improved provision for cyclists' safety and considers that the road safety officer has a role to play in promoting and publicising cycling at the strategic and operational level. The road safety professional is responsible for providing education, training and information to cyclists of all ages.

LARSOA encourages cyclists to use cycle helmets, wear appropriate protective clothing and ride a well-maintained cycle with adequate lights, brakes and other safety equipment.

It is desirable that children should receive appropriate training before riding unaccompanied on the roads.

THE ROLE OF THE RSO
The road safety officer should be aware of and seek to contribute a safety perspective to:
• sustainable transport policy development
• road traffic reduction strategy
• the local Cycling Strategy and its implementation.

It is recognised that in introducing new schemes the road safety officer may be required to contribute to the consultation process, publicity, information and advice providing training where necessary, for the local community.

It has long been the role of the road safety officer to manage training for children. There is increasingly a need for training to be provided for adults too. The LARSOA/RoSPA Code of Practice should be adhered to for all child cyclist training and provides useful guidance for the training of adults. The Code of Practice gives guidance on:
• Health and safety legislation including risk assessment.
• Standards for the provision of training and monitoring the scheme
• Roles and responsibilities of those involved.

The road safety officer should promote safe cycling, including the use of cycle helmets, the need for conspicuous clothing and familiarity with and observance of appropriate rules in the Highway Code.

Research indicates a high level of under reporting of child cycle accidents - most accidents involving child cycling casualties occur while children are involved in play.