Proficiency Badge : Cyclist

It is now the school holidays, I have been riding the bicycle since I was 3 years old but I have all along ride on 4 wheels. I just turned 9 and one of my mission is to learn how to cycle on 2 wheels this school holiday. Coincidentally, I noticed there is a proficiency badge for being a cyclist. There are 8 tasks that I have to accomplish to earn the Cyclist badge.

These are the 8 tasks I need to complete :

1. Own or have the regular use of a bicycle of suitable size for my age.

2. Be able to mount and dismount safely.

3. Understand the need for keeping the bicycle in road worthy condition, and help to do this for the bicycle I own or use regularly.

4. Be able to clean and oil a bicycle. Show how to pump up the tyres or mend a puncture.

5. Understand the need for keeping a bicycle locked when leaving it unattended.

6. Show knowledge of the proper use of signals and rules applicable to cyclists as set out in the Highway code in the Sections for the "Road user on wheels" and "Extra rules for cyclists".

7. Understand the need for lights and reflective clothing. Discuss the safety measures necessary for riding in poor light.

8. Demonstrate that I can ride safely and confidently by going for a short ride in a safe place with my pack and Akela. If this is not possible, make a video recording and show it to Akela.

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Things you should know (Bicycle)

For all types of bicycles (Geared/No gears)

1. You must lock your bicycle if you park your bicycle outdoors so that others don't steal it

2. You must brake before dismounting/mounting so that you don't fall

3. Brake gently when going downhill so that you don't fall

4. Wear bright coloured clothing (Especially when night riding.)

For geared bicycles:

1. Keep your gear the same (If you don't know how to use the gears)

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Task 1 : Own a bicycle suitable for my age

I previously own a 4 wheeler bicycle. My mum decided to reward me with a new bicycle as I have grown taller and did well in my End of Year exam. We bought a 24" (24 inch) wheel size bicycle as I am now 148cm tall and it is appropriate for my height.

This is me on my bicycle. Always remember to wear a helmet when you are cycling. It's also recommended to wear elbow and knee guard when you first learn to ride a bicycle. I am cycling in the day time but it is recommended to wear reflective clothing so other road users can see you. This is important because it would keep you safe.

This is me practicing riding my bicycle:

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Task 2 : Mount and dismount safely

Coach Joseph, my cycling coach taught me how to mount and dismount safely. Before mounting the bicycle we need to do the ABC check. A for Air, B for Brakes and C for Chain.

When you are ready to mount the bicycle stand on the side of the kickstand. Kick the stand up, Lift our right legs behind the seat, seat and lift up left leg. Make sure both your feet can touch the ground flat. To dismount, lift the right leg, go behind the seat to dismount. Before I learned from Coach Joseph, I always tend to mount and dismount wrongly. In fact I did that mistake very often during my first two lessons. I shall try to make a video and upload it here on how to safely mount and dismount a bicycle and the ABC check below for recommendation soon.

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Task 3: Understand the need for keeping the bicycle in road worthy condition, and help to do this for the bicycle I own or use regularly.

It is important to keep the bicycle road worthy to prevent an accident. We need to ensure the bicycle chain is frequently oiled. It is best to oil it once in every two weeks. We also need to check there is enough air in the tyres. This would ensure we have a smooth riding experience. We also need to check that our tyres to ensure there is no holes and we can do this by pumping air and listening and rotating the wheels to check if there is any escape. Always check the brakes, sometimes the brakes can be loosen, we need to tighten the brakes if its loose. I regularly check my bicycle with the help of my father.

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Task 4: Be able to clean and oil a bicycle. Show how to pump up the tyres or mend a puncture.

These are the steps to pump up a tyre

· Have the correct pump for your bicycle’s tire valve.

· Check the tire pressure needed for your bicycle, it’s normally shown on the tyre.

· Unscrew the cap from the tyre valve.

· Place the pump on the valve.

· Pull up the pump lever.

· Inflate the tyre.

· Remove the pump from the valve.

· Check if you overinflate or underinflate.

· Close the valve.

Steps to clean and oil a bicycle

1. Brush out the links with an old toothbrush or rag.

2. Relubricate the links from time to time with a chain lubricant.

3. Wipe off excess lubricant with a clean, dry rag.

4. Do not over-lubricating as it can attract new dirt

Task 5: Understand the need for keeping a bicycle locked when leaving it unattended.

It is important to keep a bicycle locked when unattended as the bicycle might be stolen or parts of the bicycle could be stolen preventing us from using the bicycle.

Task 6: Show knowledge of the proper use of signals and rules applicable to cyclists as set out in the Highway code in the Sections for the "Road user on wheels" and "Extra rules for cyclists".

· Before moving off, give proper signal and only move off when you can do so safely and without inconvenience to other road users.

· The rider of a bicycle must give the following signal to signal their intent

to ‘proceed to the right’ — hold out his right arm horizontally with the palm of the hand to the front; and

to ‘proceed to the left’ — hold out his left arm horizontally with the palm of the hand to the front.

to ‘slow down’ — hold out his right arm horizontally with the palm of the hand downwards, and move the arm up and down several times;

to ‘stop’ — hold out his right arm horizontally with the forearm vertical and with the palm of the hand to the front;

· When approaching a pedestrian crossing slow down and dismount, do not ride your bicycle across the traffic lights.

· Keep to the far left of the road.

· The rider must ride a bicycle with light during between 7pm to 7am

(a)

displays a white light that is clearly visible for a reasonable distance from the front of the bicycle.

(b)

Displays a red light or a red reflector that is clearly visible for a reasonable distance from the rear of the bicycle.

· When riding a bicycle, we must wear securely a suitable protective bicycle helmet.

Task 7: Understand the need for lights and reflective clothing. Discuss the safety measures necessary for riding in poor light.

We need lights and reflective clothing so that other riders or pedestrians can see us, this isn’t just during night cycling but also for day cycling. For riding in poor lighting, wear bright clothing, and if necessary, use your lights so that other cyclists and pedestrians are aware of your presence. There are many accidents involving cyclist who do not wear reflective clothing or have lights as such please keep safe and always have lights and reflective clothing.

Task 8: Demonstrate that I can ride safely and confidently by going for a short ride in a safe place with my pack and Akela. If this is not possible, make a video recording and show it to Akela.

As it is COVID-19, I have gone on Park Connector Network (PCN) rides with my mother. These are the journeys we have took.

The first journey was a ride around the neighbourhood to make sure I knew how to apply my skills to PCN riding.

Whereas, my second ride, was a ride that went through many neighbourhoods. Such as, Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun and Khatib. Our target was to reach Lower Seletar Reservoir.