Nine Warwickshire fire fighters have been given “defensive” cycle training at Nuneaton Fire Station in a joint training session organised by TTC Road Safety Services (RSS) and Warwickshire County Council.
Fire crews are introducing cycle patrols in north Warwickshire as the best method of getting off road to spot fire hazards as part of their fire prevention work.
TTC RSS works with local authority road safety teams to put on a variety of education courses including the Love 2 Bike course, a nationwide initiative to get people safely back on their bikes for work and leisure.
Chris Fossey from Warwickshire’s road safety department said: “We offered to run the Love 2 Bike course, aimed at people cycling to work, to the fire service to ensure their fire fighters have all the skills to avoid the many road hazards and stay safe. It is very important training.”
The fire fighters attended a classroom session followed by a 90-minute coaching session on defensive cycling. They rode along a variety of routes taking in busy junctions, roundabouts, residential roads and dual carriageways.
Nick Lloyd, from TTC RSS, said: “We improve cycle safety through observational awareness with good positioning, forward planning and good communication with other road users.
“Motorists and cyclist have historically not got on very well so the aim is to improve cycling skills so that everyone can share the road safely with a greater understanding of how cyclists and drivers have a different view of each other.”
For more information contact Nick Lloyd at TTC RSS on 01952 607187.
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