Press Releases
- Cycle safe -
19 July 2011
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Hitchin, Baldock, Letchworth and Royston students had a chance to experience ‘un-safe cycling’ during lunchtime sessions this week when they boarded a trike, donned a helmet and undertook an obstacle course while wearing ‘beer goggles’ to distort their vision.
North Hertfordshire Homes undertook the project in partnership with Youth Connexions and police community support officers to highlight the discipline and the focus needed when on wheels. The initiative was supported by a previous member of staff, Ray Chapman who tragically lost his son Jake in a related road traffic accident two years ago.
Ray said, “Considering all the health and safety rules out there, it’s daft that it’s still not compulsory to wear a bike hat when cycling. Cyclists can reach speeds of 30 mph – the same speed as scooters where it’s compulsory to wear helmets.”
A teenager who asked to remain nameless said, “I don’t think I need to wear a helmet when I’m on my bike – but this has made me think about it.”
The students were given bike reflectors to make them more visible and had a competition to win new bike hats to encourage them to be more safety conscious.
