Motorcycle Independence Unleashed
In the heart of northern Germany, the city of Bremen and its twin city Bremerhaven are taking strides to promote environmentally friendly transportation among children. With a focus on bicycling, around 30,000 euros have been allocated for intensive courses designed for children who have not yet passed their bicycle license at the end of fourth grade and those who cannot ride a bicycle at all.
The courses, offered by the Bremen Traffic Safety Association and the working group "aber sicher! Together for a traffic-safe Bremen", are taking place at four locations: Delfter Straße, Pastorenweg, Andernacher Straße, Sozialwerk/Mentorenschule, and Verkehrsschule an der Constructor University.
Verena Noelle, coordinator for mobility and traffic education in Bremen, oversees the organisation of these courses. Each location provides bicycles, helmets, and practice materials for the school playground, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable learning experience for the participants.
This summer, approximately 200 children are participating in these intensive courses during the holidays. Sascha Karolin Aulepp, Bildungssenatorin, recently visited the course at Pastorenweg, observing the students as they honed their cycling skills under the watchful eyes of instructors.
Riding a bicycle to school together not only contributes to a greener environment but also makes children more self-assured, according to Sascha Karolin Aulepp. To encourage this, branded helmets are given to children who participate in the course, fostering a sense of camaraderie and pride.
Many children no longer learn to ride a bicycle at home, making these courses crucial for equipping them with essential cycling skills. For those who cannot bring their own bicycle, loaner bicycles are available for the course.
The success of these courses can be seen in the reduced failure rate of the bicycle license exam. Whereas the percentage of children failing their bicycle license was over 90 percent at some schools five years ago, it has since been reduced to about 20 percent. However, specific data on the current success rate of the Bremen Traffic Safety Association's intensive bicycle courses is typically found in regional traffic safety reports or official communication from the Bremen Traffic Safety Association.
The courses are financially supported by many sponsors, including ADAC Weser Ems, AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven, Gewoba, Sparkasse Bremen, and Brebau. With the support of these sponsors and dedicated instructors, the Bremen Traffic Safety Association continues to make a positive impact on the lives of children in Bremen and Bremerhaven.
- In addition to promoting environmentally friendly transportation, these intensive bicycle courses in Bremen cater to home-and-garden aspects, as they provide bicycles, helmets, and practice materials for the school playground.
- These courses not only focus on education-and-self-development, like equipping children with essential cycling skills, but also aim to foster a sense of camaraderie and pride among the participants by giving branded helmets to those who complete the course.
