Riding with Unrestricted Liberty
In the cities of Bremen and Bremerhaven, around 30,000 euros have been allocated for intensive bicycle courses aimed at making children safer cyclists and encouraging them to use the bicycle as an eco-friendly mode of transport.
The courses, organised by the Bremen Traffic Safety Association and the working group "but sicher! Together for a traffic-safe Bremen", aim to equip children with the necessary skills to ride a bicycle confidently and responsibly. Branded helmets are provided to the children upon completion of the course.
The courses are designed for children who have not yet passed their bicycle license by the end of the fourth grade and those who cannot ride a bicycle at all. The goal is to enable these children to explore their neighbourhoods independently using the bicycle.
Approximately 200 children are participating in the intensive courses at four locations in Bremen: Delfter Straße, Pastorenweg, Andernacher Straße, Sozialwerk/Mentorenschule, and Verkehrsschule at the Constructor University. At Pastorenweg elementary school, around 35 children are taking part in the course.
The intensive bicycle courses were established five years ago and have been instrumental in improving the pass rate for the bicycle license. While specific data on the current pass rate in Bremen schools is not available, it is known that the pass rate, which was below 10% at some schools five years ago, has since been reduced to about 20%.
The working group, led by the Bremen Traffic Safety Association, provides bicycles, helmets, and practice materials for the playground, as well as theoretical instruction. Children who cannot bring their own bicycle receive one as a loan for the course.
The courses are supported by various sponsors, including ADAC Weser Ems, AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven, Gewoba, Sparkasse Bremen, and Brebau.
Bildungssenatorin Sascha Karolin Aulepp stated that riding a bicycle to school makes children more self-confident. The courses aim to instil a sense of independence and responsibility in the children, enabling them to use the bicycle as a sustainable means of transport.
Verena Noelle, coordinator for mobility and traffic education in Bremen, noted that many children no longer learn to ride a bicycle at home. This trend, according to Nikola Schroth, a consultant at the Senator for Children and Education, is not limited to certain neighbourhoods but is also seen in privileged areas.
These intensive bicycle courses are a significant step towards promoting a culture of safety and sustainability among children in Bremen and Bremerhaven.
The intensive bicycle courses not only focus on teaching children how to ride a bicycle safely, but also aim to incorporate it into their home-and-garden lifestyle, encouraging a sustainable mode of transport that could extend beyond their daily commute, into their leisure activities as well. After mastering the art of cycling, these children are expected to display a greater sense of independence and responsibility, thus contributing positively to their overall lifestyle. Through the provision of branded helmets and bicycles, the working group is working relentlessly to ensure that every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, has the opportunity to participate in these courses, thereby helping to promote a safer, more eco-friendly lifestyle for the future generation.
