• Posting to the main forum rather than Nottingham sub as I think this is such a great idea.

    A children's cycle track complete with working traffic signals, zebra crossings and roundabouts is set to open in Nottingham next week.
    The £135,000 mini road network will be built alongside the existing play area at Victoria Embankment and Meadows Recreation Ground.
    The track recreates a miniature road layout - complete with junctions, crossings, roundabouts and signals - to allow children to learn about road safety away from real-life traffic.
    The ribbon will be officially cut on the track by Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for leisure and culture Councillor Dave Trimble on Tuesday, August 29, with the public invited along from 1pm to 4pm.
    Councillor Trimble said: “It is wonderful to see the opening of the junior bike track. What a great way to introduce children to road safety from a really young age, while providing a really engaging space to enjoy the outdoors.
    "They can play, and have fun but learn at the same time."
    Ridewise will be in attendance with free bikes to ride, and instructors offering tips and advice and Parklives will be running various activities.
    The "fun and engaging " track is suitable for toddlers on balance bikes up to 11-year-olds and scooters are also welcome.
    It is hoped there will be formal courses on road safety and learning to cycle on the course in the future, and the park is free to use and open to the public at any time.
    Cheryl Raynor, grant manager for WREN Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Nottinghamshire which made a £50,000 donation to the scheme, said: “It’s wonderful to see something we have funded and ready to make such a difference to children in the local area.
    "WREN is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that benefit local communities and this is a great example of what can be achieved.”
    Tony Bates, of Fast Graphics, who provided the signage for free, said: “We applaud the initiative of Nottingham City Council took in creating something that will not only entertain children but also provide important education in road sense.
    "As soon as we became aware we were keen to provide our support and enjoyed supplying the scaled down signage which we can't wait to see in place.
    "Nottingham has some amazing parks and open spaces and it's important to support their development.”

    Link

  • These are standard practice in other countries. Here's one from Austria - would have loved something like this at school.


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  • there's one of these in a park in tottenham - lordship recreation ground

    http://tottenham-summerhillroad.com/lordshiprecground.htm

  • Pretty decent set-up in Lordship Park.

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Nottingham: 'Mini road system' for kids to learn cycle skills - Cracking idea.

Posted by Avatar for tallsam @tallsam

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