THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL POLICE IN FORMING A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM OF CYCLING EDUCATION IN UKRAINE

Abstract

In order to improve road safety and popularize cycling, the role of the National Police of Ukraine in forming a sustainable system of cycling education for schoolchildren was studied. The curriculum of the subject «Fundamentals of Health» was analyzed, which was supplemented with topics on bicycle safety, and the need to start training from an early age was argued due to the early cycling activity of children. The European experience in legal regulation of the minimum age of cyclists was analyzed, which demonstrates a different approach to ensuring the right of children to use a bicycle. Three main regulatory models of regulating this issue were identified, namely: a model of clear age determination; a model of combined regulation and a model of gradual integration.Particular attention was paid to the feasibility of involving police officers who have professional competence and practical experience in the field of road safety in conducting classes on safe cycling for schoolchildren, which include both theoretical and practical aspects, in particular traffic rules, the use of protective equipment and behavior in real road conditions. Based on the analysis of international experience (in particular, Austria, Germany and Poland) and Ukrainian realities, basic standards for organizing training sessions on safe cycling have been developed. Three stages of training have been proposed, adapted to age groups (6–7 years, 9–10 years and 14 years and older), taking into account the legal status of young cyclists and the specifics of the current legislation of Ukraine. For younger schoolchildren (7–8 and 9–10 years), examples of classes have been developed that take into account their psychophysiological characteristics – limited periphe- ral vision, insufficient development of spatial orientation and impulsive behavior. For adolescents from 14 years of age, who are already full participants in road traffic, it is envisaged to study the full scope of the rules without simplifications, with an emphasis on responsibility and practical skills in real conditions. To assess the level of assimilation of knowledge and skills of adolescents from 14 years of age, it is proposed to use standardized control methods similar to those used during the training of motor vehicle drivers. As an example, the assessment system in Austria and Germany is given, which includes a written test on the Rules of the Road.