Cycling Proficiency Tests

[Marine Boy]

These days, it's 'Bikeability' and 'Cyclewise'. But who remembers the Cycling Proficiency courses of the 70s? I think they were run by RoSPA.

Around the age of eleven, I recall our school playground being marked out with bollards and tape. One afternoon a week for about six weeks, we turned up with our bicycles and rode round the marked area as men with clipboards made notes. At the end of the course, if you passed, (most did), you got a little triangular enamel badge.

Who completed and passed the test in the 70s? Does anyone still have their badge? I would love to see a picture of one.

[sixtyten]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

I can remember seeing it being done in my Primary school playground, but don't think I ever took it.

[Richard1978]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

I remember doing mine in the evenings after school in the spring of 1988. I can't remember where the badge went but I've still got a cycling guide book & a Highway Code.

[kazboot]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

I used to watch them out of the window in the Juniors, but didn't take one myself.

[Emettman]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

Yes, I took mine, nervously and got my little green and red badge. Proud of it at the time, it vanished many years ago.

There's one going at the moment:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1960s-CYCLING-...12110001r20761

[Marine Boy]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

Yes, I took mine, nervously and got my little green and red badge. Proud of it at the time, it vanished many years ago.

There's one going at the moment: (pic)

Thanks so much for this, Emettman. Great to see that little badge again after all these years.

[scotchmist]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

I remember two big Glasgow polismen came to our school to assess us. The older one took a fancy to my bike which was quite conservative compared to my fellow schoolmates who all had drop-handlebar racers, he did a few laps round the playground on my bike! It made my day and I passed with distinction!

[Gothic]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

I've got my certificate somewhere and I think I might still have my badge as well. I'll have to have a rummage around and see if I can find it.

[old git]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

Remember doing mine,riding around cones in the playground.I got a certificate but didn't remember getting a badge,that was until i saw the pic above! nice one.

[old git]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

Found a box of my old certificates last night,and look what was inside:

[Marine Boy]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

Wow! I got mine about ten years before this but, from memory, the certificate was just the same!

[robstanley1]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

I remember this very well indeed...mainly due to the fact that I FAILED!!!

I was totally gutted

Needless to say, this left me with such a huge psychological scar, that I made damn sure I passed my driving test the very first time in took it - IN YOUR FACE, RoSPA!!!!

[sixtyten]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

LOL
Proof indeed, that whatever does not kill us, makes us stronger

Just as Nietzsche intended

[dondons69]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

I remember!

[chilligrape]

Re: Cycling Proficiency Tests

I remember doing cycling proficiency in about 1980. That pic of the badge brought all the memories flooding back. Our yard was quite big and I remember being very excited when we saw them plotting out the mini course, like a little town!!