Lessons for life: Young cyclists learn rules of the road from Vlo Qubec

His helmet strapped on snuglyand wearing a bright yellow vest, Thomas Boltontakes to the streets of Westmount on his bicycle.

Following closely behind the Grade 5 student is Hubert Salvail, an instructor withVlo Qubec.

Extending his left arm, Boltoncrooks it at the elbow and points his palm downwards, signalling to cars that he is about to stop.

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Then he bikes forward a bigmistake.

"It's a red light, Thomas," Salvail says. "You crossed on a red."

Boltonis participating inVlo Qubec'sCycliste averti program, which tries to prepare elementary school students for life on the road ona bicycle.

On Wednesday morning, students atSaint-Lon-de-WestmountSchool were taking their final test.

"Our goal is that this would become a mandatory program," saidVlo Qubec'sprogram manager,Magali Bebronne, "that every child going through primary school would get out of primary school knowing how to ride a bike safely."

Learning how to cycle safely in Montreal

5 years ago

Duration 0:34

Thomas Bolton rides around Westmount, Que. as part of an initiative to teach kids how to safely ride their bikes.

Being road safe

A few years ago,Vlo Qubec noticed that come time to get on bikes, some kidsdidn't know how to ride them.

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"We used to take for granted that parents would teach their children how to ride a bike," Bebronne said.

"Now, in almost every school we come to, every group, we have two, three, sometimes four students who have never learned to ride a bike."

When the program began in 2015, 150 students took part.

This year, almost 3,000 kids in Grade 5 and 6 will get theoretical and on-the-road instructionfrom thecycling advocacyorganization.

"Clearly, it shows that more and more parents are discovering that these lessons are important."

Thomas Bolton demonstrates key cycling signals:

STOP

LEFT

RIGHT

You can also extend your right arm outward.