Helmet wearing among pupils almost doubled following cycling training
Date published:
New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for Infrastructure present findings from the tenth annual survey investigating the impact of the Cycling Proficiency Scheme in schools in Northern Ireland in 2025.
Key findings
- The behaviours in all six disciplines all increased greatly following the Cycling Proficiency Scheme with earing a cycle helmet, wearing bright/reflective clothing at night, distance from the kerb and looking over the shoulder all increasing to 80% or over.
- Helmet wearing among pupils almost doubled, increasing from 44% before training to 84% after completing the Cycling Proficiency Scheme.
- The proportion of pupils looking over their shoulder before signalling or moving rose from 23% to 93%, the highest post-training score across all six safety behaviours measured.
- Safety checks showed the greatest proportionate increase, with around seven times more pupils carrying out a check before cycling after training (from 8% to 55%).
- Wearing reflective and bright clothing at night doubled from 40% before training to 80% after completion.
- The proportion of pupils keeping a metre away from the kerb increased from 22% to 85%.
- After completing the Cycling Proficiency Scheme training, children from an urban school were more likely to wear a helmet, perform a safety check, wear something bright or reflective at night and keep one metre from the kerb than children from a rural school.
- There were no differences in the survey results between boys and girls after completing the Cycling Proficiency Scheme training.
About the publication
This statistical publication was commissioned by DfI Active Travel, and provides summary statistical information on any changes in attitude of children towards road safety issues associated with cycling following the completion of the Cycling Proficiency Scheme at school.
Further information
For the full report:
Investigating the impact of the Cycling Proficiency Scheme in schools in Northern Ireland
View data tables and background information:
Investigating the impact of the Cycling Proficiency Scheme in schools in Northern Ireland, 2025