Road and cycle safety urged for back to school

Parents are being urged to emphasise road safety to their children as they return to school for the new term, writes Brian Byrne.

In particular, the Road Safety Authority is asking that cycle safety be instilled in children using bicycles.

A new Cycle Right programme has been developed by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport and the RSA, under the management of Cycling Ireland, which will provide safe cycling courses, and schools are being encouraged to put this on the curriculum.

All new pupils at the country's national schools will be given free hi-viz vests this term, courtesy of ESB Networks and the RSA. These should be worn by all children whether cycling, walking or taking the bus to school.

Meantime, Cycling Ireland has put together a neat poster on introducing cycling to schools, which can be downloaded here. Part of the information is an easy to grasp check-list for parents to help choose the correct bike and safety equipment for their child.