Advocacy & Safety - Learn to Drive by Riding a Bike?

I submit this article to this forum, as an example of something I believe- That bicycling should be a prerequisite for obtaining a driver's liscence:

http://www.rocktownweekly.com/news_details.php?AID=12800&CHID=2

Pedaling To A Driver’s License Posted 2007-10-17
TAHS Teacher Uses Bikes For Driver’s Ed

By Heather Bowser

BRIDGEWATER — Learning about driving without actually driving can be a drag.

“Last year, in driver’s ed, I was bored to death,” said Ashley Mckinley, a 16-year-old Turner Ashby High School junior from Mount Crawford.

Like most schools, the classroom section of driver’s education at TA largely consists of lectures, worksheets and a video or two. The students aren’t quite old enough for a driver’s permit, so hands-on experience won’t come for a while. But for the last few weeks, one teacher has added a little momentum into the class.

This October, all 100 of Cindy Ferek’s driver’s ed students have spent half their class outside, riding around on a fleet of mountain bikes. Using makeshift roadways, built on the tennis courts and baseball outfield, the kids practice following distances, maintaining speeds, entering traffic, using turn signals and generally paying attention to traffic.

The pilot program, called 2 Wheels Squared, is likely the only one of its kind, Ferek said.

“You teach them all those things in class, but they stare back at you with that deer-in-the-headlights look,” said Ferek, a 10th-grade health and PE teacher from Broadway. “This gets them out ... and actually using the things they’re learning.”

How It Started

The idea started about six years ago, when Ferek incorporated bike riding in her physical education classes.

“I saw so many kids who hated to run,” Ferek said. “There’s so many other things you can do in class besides running, like biking, for instance.”

Unfortunately, like most public high schools, TA didn’t own any bikes. So in 2000, Ferek began writing grant applications. Little by little, she acquired 35 $240 mountain bikes and a 40-foot-long trailer to house them.

Soon, Ferek realized she could use the bikes for more than just exercise. With a few old signs from the Virginia Department of Transportation and some cones, the idea was born.

“I would rather a kid make a mistake on a 15-pound bike going 10 miles an hour than to make the same mistake in a 4,000-pound vehicle going 50 miles an hour,” Ferek said.

Better Than Class

The students, on the other hand, said they were just grateful they weren’t sitting inside, bored.

“This puts in a real-life situation, we’re actually moving,” said Blake Rogers, 15, of Hinton. “I had no idea how a four-way stop worked. … This teaches us to pay attention.”

His friend, Miranda Dove, 15, agrees.

“I like to pretend like I’m really driving,” Dove said. “I failed the [driver’s permit] test seven times, so I hope this will help.”

Soon, Ferek says, her students will design their own roadway system, complete with construction zones, an interstate and residential roadways.

“It’s so much better than class,” said Katherine Pence, a 15-year-old sophomore from Bridgewater.

I could see the benefits of doing this prior to letting the child behind the wheel of a car.

I could see the benefits of doing this prior to letting the child behind the wheel of a car.

“I would rather a kid make a mistake on a 15-pound bike going 10 miles an hour than to make the same mistake in a 4,000-pound vehicle going 50 miles an hour,” Ferek said.


I think this quote sums it up.

I want to know where to get a 15 lb mtb for $240. Maybe you have to fail your permit test 7 times, b/f they offer that deal.

“This puts in a real-life situation, we’re actually moving,” said Blake Rogers, 15, of Hinton. “I had no idea how a four-way stop worked. … This teaches us to pay attention.”

That's awesome. Even better than sitting in a simulator, IMO, especially if they need to ask a question right away. Much, much cheaper, too.

Nothing will replace skid control and inclement weather instruction, but nobody in the US teaches at that level anyway. The bike idea is great for learning rules of city driving, though.

*I would rather a kid make a mistake on a 15-pound bike going 10 miles an hour than to make the same mistake in a 4,000-pound vehicle going 50 miles an hour,* Ferek said.


I think this quote sums it up.

A good quote indeed.

I want to know where to get a 15 lb mtb for $240. Maybe you have to fail your permit test 7 times, b/f they offer that deal.
You need better connections on the black market. :p

His friend, Miranda Dove, 15, agrees.

“I like to pretend like I’m really driving,” Dove said. “I failed the [driver’s permit] test seven times, so I hope this will help.”


Besides the obvious sarcasm this could generate ("I don't think she has to pretend that she's driving'), it's scary to think that someone could fail a driver's permit test seven times.

East Hill

that'd be sweet, 2 attempts every 10 years would be best. If you fail the first you'd be pretty serious about learning to drive, if you weren't before. Fail a second time and you're a risk, removed from the road. Retest every 10 years whether you pass or not

Besides the obvious sarcasm this could generate ("I don't think she has to pretend that she's driving'), it's scary to think that someone could fail a driver's permit test seven times.

East Hill

What I find even worse is that a seven-time failure* probably wasn't taught a thing about driving by her parents. Or, even worse than that, her parents taught her all the wrong stuff in the first place, and they're still driving.

* doesn't sound as nice as, say, "seven time world champion", does it? ;)

I think it is an awesome idea. I have long thought that teaching driving through learning how to bike in traffic through the public school system would be a wonderful thing.

I figured cycling could be taught in elementary school as part of a PE program... just the basics.

Then in Jr High, introduce cycling in traffic.

Then at the highschool level teach the ethics of driving and the actual drivers ed, but only to students that demonstrate proficiency and understanding of cycling in traffic, have it as a prerequisite.

We do this with every other class from math to history to health, why not driving which folks continue to do for a lifetime.

How is it that the current 6 week classes are enough to cover traffic, the law, the ethics, and practical aspects of driving... are in fact are the motorists we have now a result of the current poor system of motorist education? (rhetorical question... the answer seems obvious.) Other western nations have a much tougher system for licensing drivers, but the US, we practically give it away.

Be sure the kids get a dose of this in the cycling classes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz3zMzVdlX8

Maybe they won't even take to cars later.

Devil's advocate here.

-If they are in driver ed, they should be driving concurrently. If they aren't old enough to drive, they shouldn't be taking the class.

-what exactly does riding the bikes around a tennis court do that walking around it couldn't do?

-if they have anything other than single speeds, they're nuts.

-how big are the classes? Can you picture even only 20 kids riding around a tennis court on bikes?

-no school is going to let you go play in traffic on these bikes which is where you really learn the rules of the road.

-the idea sounds good on the surface but the better use of the bikes would be for PE.

Devil's advocate here.
Ok, cool --


-If they are in driver ed, they should be driving concurrently. If they aren't old enough to drive, they shouldn't be taking the class.

It could be said that they're never too young to learn the rules of the road -- four-way stops, signaling, highway awareness, etc. Just because they can't drive a vehicle in public doesn't mean they can't learn about all the other stuff. When they finally do get behind the wheel for the first time, the only new thing that should remain would be car control.


-what exactly does riding the bikes around a tennis court do that walking around it couldn't do?

It's a change of perspective, it's more like operating a vehicle than simply walking, and it takes away some control -- they have to plan their moves further in advance, which is more like driving than walking. The article mentioned learning about following distances, too; that can only be accomplished with some amount of speed, and they'd only need a couple riders to demonstrate the effect for the rest of the class. Not everybody can properly visualize the two-second rule from a whiteboard drawing.


-if they have anything other than single speeds, they're nuts.

Eh, whichever. ;)


-how big are the classes? Can you picture even only 20 kids riding around a tennis court on bikes?

Maybe the class isn't that big, maybe they have enough instructors (at least one for every four or five kids), maybe they teach lessons in small groups, etc. That's a question that wasn't answered by the article.


-no school is going to let you go play in traffic on these bikes which is where you really learn the rules of the road.

Unfortunately, some people learn by doing the wrong thing first. I'd rather not have them make mistakes when they're learning how to handle heavy machinery on public roads.


-the idea sounds good on the surface but the better use of the bikes would be for PE.

Then again, if they're just being used for PE, they're only "percolating salt". Might as well do some productive learning while they can.

I'm still not buying it. I'd have to see the course they set up, the student/teacher ratio, the teacher's ability, etc. first. Sorry for being skeptical.

As an introduction to driving in middle school, I guess it would be fine but when it's actually time to learn to drive, nothing replaces getting in the car with an instructor or a parent.

I don't get the thing about being old enough to take driver ed but not old enough to get a permit.

Next (intelligent) step is for them to take the same instruction on the road.

Of course, that would require trained cycling instructors - I'll bet they are few and far between

I'm still not buying it. I'd have to see the course they set up, the student/teacher ratio, the teacher's ability, etc. first. Sorry for being skeptical.

Don't sweat it; skepticism is good. It keeps things in check.


As an introduction to driving in middle school, I guess it would be fine but when it's actually time to learn to drive, nothing replaces getting in the car with an instructor or a parent.

Considering how a lot of people drive, I wouldn't want them teaching their own kids. Kids could have been learning stuff about driving long before being put behind the wheel, too. For example, I remember asking my dad why, after a semi truck would finish passing us on the interstate at night, he flashed his high beams. He explained that truckers also do it, letting the passing driver know when he's gone far enough and has room to move back into the lane. At the next opportunity, he did it again, and sure enough, the trucker moved over and blinked his running lights as a thank you gesture.

I might've been 10-12 years old at the time, and I still blink my lights for trucks.

But, you're right, nothing teaches car control -- even simple stuff like being smooth with the throttle & steering -- as well as getting into a car.


I don't get the thing about being old enough to take driver ed but not old enough to get a permit.

I'd say, the more correct knowledge they have before handling a car itself, the better. If a kid already knows the procedures and rules, and knows them well, they can concentrate better on handling the vehicle itself.

I just think that the American driver education & licensing system is crap, and I'll welcome any possible improvement.

I do believe that engaging the kids in different ways is a good idea. :)

btw, spose there's any driver ed instructors on the forums?

I do believe that engaging the kids in different ways is a good idea. :)

btw, spose there's any driver ed instructors on the forums?

No idea, although there probably are a few considering how many members are here. ;)

Wonder if any of them teach like this guy:

http://www.yorkregionsavealife.com/Erase/Video.htm

(really good stuff, btw, although the focus is more on driving the car rather than reading traffic signs; fills in the gaps in most driver's ed classes, IMO)

I think it's a great idea for familiarizing kids to the rules of the road, to get the kids out of the classroom and away from monotonous lectures and tests, but I still consider it a world apart from the muffled senses of actually driving an enclosed vehicle along with all it's blindspots. To me, it would seem more appropriate in learning on how to ride a motorcycle.

riding a bike in traffic is the best way to learn how NOT to drive. by observing the lazy mistakes drivers make, as well as realizing how potentially dangerous even "simple" mistakes are, potential drivers will be more congnizant of their surroundings while driving. i use my bike for my job in washington, dc. i see the same mistakes every day, so in the rare occasions i am behind the wheel, i force myself to concentrate on what i learned from riding my bike.

Don't sweat it; skepticism is good. It keeps things in check.
Good idea. Try not to forget it when your own sacred cows gets gored. :)

Of course, that would require trained cycling instructors - I'll bet they are few and far between

On the contrary; there appears to be a greater supply than any demand for their services in the U.S. Unless/until some government agency mandates/coerces a demand for cycling instruction by "trained" cycling instructors.

riding a bike in traffic is the best way to learn how NOT to drive. by observing the lazy mistakes drivers make, as well as realizing how potentially dangerous even "simple" mistakes are, potential drivers will be more congnizant of their surroundings while driving. i use my bike for my job in washington, dc. i see the same mistakes every day, so in the rare occasions i am behind the wheel, i force myself to concentrate on what i learned from riding my bike.

This is what I was going to say. If you ride in traffic for a few months it almost can't help but make you a safer driver, assuming you drive as well.

On the contrary; there appears to be a greater supply than any demand for their services in the U.S. Unless/until some government agency mandates/coerces a demand for cycling instruction by "trained" cycling instructors.

Re-read the story. The project was instigated by the teacher, not by any government agency.

As a matter of fact, the problem (voluminiously revealed on Chainguard/BTI a while back) of you riding in the cyclist-inferiority manner, probably would have never occurred if such a class had been taught in your school. Preferably in your elementary school. I've been saying for decades that the John Forester Effective Cycling program ought to be taught in all schools in the first grade, under the name "Driver Education". Even the teacher in the story that's been posted here is a little late; her students have already been driving vehicles on the road for 10 years.

Isn't this what EVERYONE does from the time they get their first bicycles as a very young child until they get their driver's licence?????? It's not exactly a novel idea!

“This puts in a real-life situation, we’re actually moving,” said Blake Rogers, 15, of Hinton. “I had no idea how a four-way stop worked. … This teaches us to pay attention.”

This kid is 15 years old and had no idea how a 4-way stop worked??? I'm just floored by that!! What on earth are they teaching these kids? Not much, obviously.

From the moment I got my first bicycle at the age of 6 years old, I rode it as though I were driving a car. I was taught the rules of the road back then! Isn't that what all parents teach their kids when they teach them to ride a bicycle??? The move from bicycle to car at the age of 15 wasn't a big deal to me ... there were a few adjustments to make between the bicycle and car themselves (i.e. the car is wider) ... but being on the road, and following the rules, was very natural.

Of course, I also think that driving is a good way for adults to learn to cycle. A lot of cyclists could benefit from refamiliarizing themselves with the rules of the road, and what it is like from the perspective of the person behind the wheel.

Isn't this what EVERYONE does from the time they get their first bicycles as a very young child until they get their driver's licence?????? It's not exactly a novel idea!

“This puts in a real-life situation, we’re actually moving,” said Blake Rogers, 15, of Hinton. “I had no idea how a four-way stop worked. … This teaches us to pay attention.”

This kid is 15 years old and had no idea how a 4-way stop worked??? I'm just floored by that!! What on earth are they teaching these kids? Not much, obviously.

From the moment I got my first bicycle at the age of 6 years old, I rode it as though I were driving a car. I was taught the rules of the road back then! Isn't that what all parents teach their kids when they teach them to ride a bicycle??? The move from bicycle to car at the age of 15 wasn't a big deal to me ... there were a few adjustments to make between the bicycle and car themselves (i.e. the car is wider) ... but being on the road, and following the rules, was very natural.

Of course, I also think that driving is a good way for adults to learn to cycle. A lot of cyclists could benefit from refamiliarizing themselves with the rules of the road, and what it is like from the perspective of the person behind the wheel.
+1

Agreed on all points. I'm just shocked that these teens didn't know how to interact with others at a 4-way stop, and failing a driving test 7 times?! I guess it is insightful, that, because now I know that the idiot teenagers, are, in fact, idiots! :eek:

I pretty much grew up riding my bike like a car too, because that is what my parents told me to do, and it seemed natural as that was what they had to do when they drove. But, this programme seems to be a great way to make up for the education that these kids seem to be lacking. I agree with you as well that cyclists could benefit from driving.

idiot teenagers, are, in fact, idiots! :eek:

Come on now, don't be so harsh, you can't really generalize like that. I've got a teen at my house that is the model of driving behavior. Ticket and accident free and very responsible. I also work with lots of teens and for the most part they are a pleasure.

Here's the key:

Idiot teenagers were taught to be idiots.

Either that, or they weren't taught anything at all.

I'm more afraid of the parents that didn't teach the boy about four-way stops and the girl who failed her test seven times.

Come on now, don't be so harsh, you can't really generalize like that. I've got a teen at my house that is the model of driving behavior. Ticket and accident free and very responsible. I also work with lots of teens and for the most part they are a pleasure.
I'm an idiot teenager myself, actually. :D

I don't think most of us have bad intentions, but certainly some need to learn how to drive in something resembling a safe and sane manner.