A film made by the Cleveland Cine Club for Middlesbrough Constabulary promoting the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme, an initiative to teach safe cycling to children. We follow schoolboy Paul as he rides his bicycle around the streets of Linthorpe Middlesbrough, in a casual and irresponsible manner. Following a near miss with a car at a busy road junction and strong advice from a concerned friend, Paul takes the National Cycling Proficiency test. He progresses through different stages of...

A film made by the Cleveland Cine Club for Middlesbrough Constabulary promoting the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme, an initiative to teach safe cycling to children. We follow schoolboy Paul as he rides his bicycle around the streets of Linthorpe Middlesbrough, in a casual and irresponsible manner. Following a near miss with a car at a busy road junction and strong advice from a concerned friend, Paul takes the National Cycling Proficiency test. He progresses through different stages of the test to become a model cyclist, culminating in the presentation of a badge and certificate by Middlesbrough's chief constable. Title: National Cycling Proficiency - Approach to Safe Cycling. The opening shot shows a group of children playing football and throwing balls to each other in the playground of Linthorpe Primary school in Roman Road, Middlesbrough. In the background a few bicycles can be seen parked in a covered cycle shed. A close up of one of the girls follows throwing a ball to friend. In the introduction the commentary states that Paul, who is one of the children in the playground and the subject of the film, will become a safe cyclist instead of a dangerous one. The commentator goes on to say school is over and some of the children stay behind to play games in the yard. Paul takes up his favourite position as goalkeeper playing against a wall. [Paul wears a jacket which clearly displays a Stainsby Secondary School badge]. Paul's friends kick the ball towards him in order to test his abilities. Glancing at his watch, he's running late, and he should be at home by now. Paul throws the football to a friend, then hurries over to the cycle shed. Paul mounts his bike and then takes an erratic route across the playground and out through the school gate without checking for pedestrians that might be on the footpath or the state of the traffic on the road immediatley outside. A long shot of Roman Road just outside the school as Paul makes his way across the road. In the distance there is a view of the Burlam Road Annexe of Middlesbrough College of Art, formerly an industrial school for boys. Also in the distance the clocktower of the former Holgate workhouse, part of which made up Middlesbrough General Hospital. Paul zig zags across Roman Road and then rides along the opposite pavement, using one hand to control his bicycle. The film cuts to two women talking at the gate to a house, possibly in Rockcliffe Road. The woman on the pavement continues on her way, walking towards the camera. She approaches the corner of the road and Paul appears suddenly on his bike narrowly missing her, but she drops the shopping she was carrying onto the pavement. Paul carries on regardless, past the end of Ventnor Road and then towards Pilkingtons Buildings, Roman Road. At this point Paul leaves the pavement and continues on the road. Riding one handed he meanders along past the shops that make up Pilkingtons Buildings. At the junction of Roman Road, Oxford Road and the Crescent and looking East along the Crescent Paul cycles straight across the junction, ignoring the give way lines on the road.  He narrowly misses a Vauxhall Viva coming from Paul's left along the Crescent. An angry driver shakes his fist and shouts angrily at Paul. Paul looking towards the driver ignores where he is heading and bumps into the kerb opposite, landing on the pavement and hurting his elbow. The view across the junction shows clearly Pybus corner store and a branch of the Stockton bakery, Sparks. Paul's friend Gerald appears on his bike to find out if Paul is alright. Gerald parks his bicycle in the correct manner against the boundary wall of the Linthorpe Hotel. Gerald expresses his disgust at Paul's reckless cycling. At this point a Bedford mini-bus passes in front of the camera. Printed along the side of the bus is Poole Hospital Staff Transport. Gerald has passed his National Cycling Proficiency examination and he thinks that Paul should also take the test. Paul picks up his bike which isn't damaged, and parks it next to Geralds. Gerald, wearing his Stainsby School Uniform, points to his National Cycling Proficiency Test badge and explains to Paul what he needs to do. The film cuts to the exterior of Dunning Road police station in Middlesbrough. Paul and Gerald enter the station so that Paul can enrol for the cycling proficiency test. Paul is given an application form and an explanation from a police officer about the training he'll be given. Points which will be covered include adjustment of the bicycle in relation to riding position, simple maintenance, cycle control, learning the language of the Highway Code, signalling, starting and stopping, turning right and left. The test is there to ensure safety on the road and to ensure roadworthiness of any bicycle. Before Paul and Gerald leave, the policeman gives Paul some booklets to study prior to the course starting. The film then cuts to an exterior shot where Paul and four other cyclists prepare to start the course. Two policeman/examiners are there to supervise them. The bicycles are checked for correct adjustment and that they are mechanically sound. The policemen/examiners check for good riding posture and the correct positioning of feet and hands. Paul then has to demonstrate that he has maintained his bicycle and that it is in good working order. He shows the examiner that he knows how to make adjustments on the brakes, the tension of the chain and the saddle height. All must be satisfactory if the test is to proceed further. The examiner also checks that the brakes work efficiently, the chain is tensioned correctly, the condition of the pedals, steering, tyre pressures and tyre treads. Paul sits on his bicycle to demonstrate that it is the correct size and that his hands are placed on the handlebars within easy reach of the brakes, and also that his feet touch the ground comfortably without stretching. An animated diagram shows the first road safety exercise Paul must do. This entails making a right hand turn at a road junction. Paul starts off with a right hand signal showing his intention to move off from the kerb. This part of the film is filmed on a special road safety training section at Prissick School base, Marton Road, Middlesbrough. In the background a red United bus drives past. Paul cycles to the crown of the road and gives the slowing down signal as he approaches the road junction white lines. At the junction Paul looks left, right and left again, looks behind him, signals and successfully makes his right turn. Now on the open 'road' he makes the slowing down signal and parks his bicycle safely at the kerb. Another animated diagram show's Paul's next task, to negotiate to turn left at a major road junction and how to deal with 'Give Way' signs. Paul moves off and approaches the sign. Paul checks for traffic coming from the right and successfully turns left, he then signals to slow down and  stop next to the kerb. In the next test Paul demonstrates his control of the bicycle by negotiating a a number of small coloured blocks laid between two white lines. He has to weave through this central line of coloured blocks without touching the blocks with his front or back wheels, or touch the ground with his feet. Paul parks his bicycle next to a wall. Paul now has to negotiate a left turn at traffic lights, an animated diagram shows what Paul has to do. Paul starts from the kerb side. As Paul gives the signal to turn left the traffic lights turn to amber then red. Paul looks behind him, signals his intention to slow down and stops at the white line across the road. As the traffic lights change to green for go, Paul signals his intention to move off and successfully completes the manouevre. The final road test is the emergency stop. A signal from the examiner and Paul applies both brakes immediately to stop quickly and without skidding. The final section involves the examiner/policeman asking Paul to demonstrate his knowledge, this time without his bike. He will be tested on road drill and his knowledge of the Highway Code. The examiner tests Paul on signals he has to know to communcate his intentions with other road users. He also tests Paul on signals the police use when controlling traffic and also signals cyclists use. Paul then has to demonstrate verbally the correct sequence of traffic lights. The examiner finishes by testing Paul on road signs and cycle maintenance. To pass the test Paul must have completed all sections satisfactorily. The examiner tells Paul he has been succesful and he has passed his test. The film then cuts to an exterior shot of Dunning Road police station. Gerald, Pauls friend, is waiting outside the building. Paul and his parents walk up to the main doors to meet Gerald. As they walk towards the camera they walk from the junction of Dunning Road and Grange Road. The corner of the central library can be seen in the distance. Gerald meets his friend and they all enter the police station. In the background of this shot Hugh Bell school can be seen. Other children and parents are sitting, waiting for the presentation of cycling certificates. Ralph Davison, Middlesbrough's chief constable addresses the visitors. Paul goes forward wearing his Stainsby school uniform and receives his certificate and badge from the chief constable. The chief constable and his assistant stand in front of a large map of Middlesbrough. A table which they are using for the presentation has a notice on the front ' County Borough of Middlesbrough 1965'. Other successful children go forward to receive their badges and certificates from the chief constable. Paul, his parents and Gerald leave the police station. Paul's parents walk ahead down Dunning Road, Paul and Gerald follow on. Title - Filmed By The Cleveland Cine Club Title - Based on the R.O.S.P.A. National Cycling Proficiency Scheme Title - By Courtesy of R. Davison, Chief Constable, Middlesbrough Police Department and Middlesbrough Accident Prevention Council Title - Badge of Middlesbrough Constabulary.