FORS has announced it has resumed its funded on-cycle driver safety training, in line with government guidelines easing COVID-19 restrictions.
The practical on-cycle sessions form part of the FORS Professional Safe Urban Driving and Van Smart courses, and see drivers experience the road from a cyclist’s point of view.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, FORS introduced a temporary relaxation of the on-cycle element, instead allowing drivers to meet the work-related road risk (WRRR) training requirements of the FORS Standard having completed only the theory session, with the practical element to be completed in 2022. As part of the scheme’s ongoing commitment to ensure support for its members in light of the pandemic, FORS continued to fully fund some theory places, which were all delivered online.
However, in line with revised government guidelines, FORS has now resumed offering funded face-to-face FORS Professional Safe Urban Driving and Van Smart – the full training which now includes the practical on-cycle sessions.
Sonia Hayward, FORS Manager, said, “Many businesses are now beginning to welcome workers back to offices, and this, coupled with an increased desire to cycle for commuting and leisure, makes road safety training as important as ever. We are really pleased to be able to offer these funded places to members once again.
“Commercial vehicle drivers are well versed in navigating busy roads from the perspective of their HGV cab or van, but many will not have cycled on busy routes for several years – if at all – making the on-cycle training a very valuable learning experience for our members.”
The practical on-cycle element of FORS Professional Safe Urban Driving and Van Smart training gives commercial vehicle drivers first-hand experience of the challenges vulnerable road users face and makes them even more aware of their responsibility to all who use the road, with the classroom session focusing on how drivers can safely share the road.
And it works. A huge 89 per cent of past participants surveyed stated that their understanding of the issues faced by vulnerable road users had improved thanks to the FORS Professional Safe Urban Driving and Van Smart on-cycle training.
Consisting of two 3.5-hour modules, one classroom based and one practical, FORS Professional Safe Urban Driving and Van Smart are also fully aligned to meet the requirements of both TfL WRRR and the Construction Logistics & Community Safety (CLOCS) Standard. FORS Professional Safe Urban Driving is driver CPC accredited, and both courses are worth six CPD hours.
Sonia Hayward adds, “When FORS asks commercial vehicle drivers to swap the HGV cab or their van for a bicycle during a practical training session, it can have a hugely positive impact on road safety. Practical sessions truly embed the theory-based learning, helping to upskill a driving workforce with the training they need to help improve safety for all road users.”
For more information about becoming a FORS member, or for FORS members to book a place on a FORS Professional Safe Urban Driving or Van Smart, visit: www.fors-online.org.uk
