A cyclist's question to Cornerstone Driver's education... And theirresponse...

Hello fellow cyclists,

I'm forwarding an interesting reply to a question (see below)
regarding driver's education teaching " Bicycle awareness".

I love how Jeff (the drivers ed. teacher) dismisses any of his
students' future, bad driving with the statement, "Remember, we are
generally teaching teens..."

If he really believes that teenagers are normally bad drivers, maybe
the government should increase the age when people can get a driver's
license, maybe it should be 18?

Just a thought,
Cullen

p.s. I know that just suggesting that last statement would cause huge
riots...



THE ORIGINAL EMAIL:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Cullen Carter ]
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 5:39 PM
To:
Subject: Driver's education and bicycles?



Hello,

With gasoline prices rising, I'm seeing an increase in cyclists.
However, I'm not seeing a decrease in motorists.
This tells me that the newer generation is still clinging to the
idea
that "getting a driver's license at 16" is still the thing to do.
Is "awareness of cyclists" taught in driver's ed? If so,
how is it taught?

Thanks,

Cullen Carter




THE RESPONSE:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Cornerstone Driving School
To: 'Cullen Carter'
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 9:04 AM
Subject: Driver's education and bicycles?


Dear Cullen,



If you are referring to motorcycles, we teach to treat them the same
as any automobile, except to allow more following distance because
they can stop faster.



If you are referring to bicyclists, they are to be treated the same as
pedestrians. When passing them, we want a minimum of 4 feet between
them and us.



Remember, we are generally teaching teens. Just because they where
taught the correct way, does not mean that they will do it
correctly.



People are in a rush. I see many people my age (47) making worse
mistakes than the teens we are teaching (running red lights, turning
right at stop signs without stopping, etc).



I hope I have answered you question.



Best regards,

Jeff Staedt
Cornerstone Driving School
968-7799