Essen brings construction site training for young cyclists: safety first!

Essen brings construction site training for young cyclists: safety first!

In Essen, a lot is happening in traffic education for our little ones. Since the city administration has recognized how important it is to prepare children and young people for the challenges of road traffic, all four youth traffic schools will be equipped with mobile construction sites. This reports Radio Essen. The plan is clear: young cyclists should learn how to deal with road construction sites in realistic scenarios and thus be able to cycle more safely through everyday life.

Every year around 6,000 children take part in cycling training in Essen. A huge step when you consider that around 95 percent of all primary school students complete this important training. Cycling training is now an integral part of the primary school curriculum Traffic Watch reported. There are both mobile and fixed youth traffic schools that provide places for practical exercises.

Mobile construction sites for realistic exercises

The new mobile construction sites are financed by municipal utilities, which provide special sets with warning beacons, LED lights and signs. This equipment allows students to practice in their familiar surroundings, which not only saves time and money, but also lowers their inhibitions about getting involved in real traffic situations.

Practicing with your own bikes in a safe environment is another advantage of mobile solutions. Practical teaching methods often begin in school and continue on quiet streets to best prepare children for the realities of traffic. The stationary youth traffic schools also offer exercises in well-structured environments with street intersections, traffic lights and traffic signs.

Collaboration and development skills

For successful cycling training, good cooperation between schools, police, traffic guards and various partners is essential, as the GDV Association of the German Insurance Industry e.V. emphasizes. They support the youth traffic schools with media, measures and materials. The provision of high-quality children's bicycles from S'COOL Juniorbikes and the provision of children's helmets and locks by ABUS are also very important.

However, the basis of traffic education for children is not always sufficiently researched. Studies show that there are numerous gaps in the foundation of developmental psychology and there is a need for reliable empirical data. How Mobility Forum notes, 39 skills are necessary for safe and independent participation in traffic, which are divided into seven functional areas such as vision, hearing and motor skills. The interaction of these skills is crucial in preparing children for the challenges of traffic.

With the introduction of these tailor-made construction sites in the youth traffic schools, Essen is taking a step forward in increasing the road safety of young cyclists. It will be interesting to see how the new measures will affect children's behavior and safety on the road.