The number of cyclists who died in May almost quadrupled: 22 people died in 2021, compared to 6 in 2019 - the reference year before the pandemic - according to figures published by Road Safety on Tuesday June 21.
This result can be explained by an increase in daily bicycle use.
But new cyclists are not all aware of the codes and practices to adopt on the road.
This is why associations and companies offer prevention training in road safety.
Their objective: to try to reduce the number of accidents.
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These training courses are mainly reserved for companies, which seek “
to reduce their carbon footprint
” or to respond “
to the requests of employees who want to come to work by bike
”, explains Jean-François Dhinaux, the founder of the Azfalte company.
This phenomenon is very recent.
"
For a few months the bike has been set up everywhere
", he adds.
Public associations, like private companies, develop these training courses to reassure employers who perceive cycling as a dangerous means of transport.
“
The company is always responsible in the mobility of its employees, this comes under criminal responsibility
”, specifies Jean-François Dhinaux.
“
The important thing is that the company prevents risks, and it can do this by offering our training to its employees
,” says the founder of Azfalte.
What are these trainings made of?
At Azfalte, the most popular formula includes an hour of theory, then an hour of practice.
Designed in partnership with the French Cycling Federation (FFC), the training is provided by guides who travel around the company to teach employees the most secure circuit to get to their place of work.
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The French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB) has, for its part, set up “
180 bicycle schools
” on the same principle as driving schools.
It offers various training courses for schools, but also for companies.
Identification of safe routes around the building is carried out on site, as well as vehicle handling exercises.
“
We often have a libertarian practice of cycling, so we will provide tools to adapt the behavior of the cyclist
”, declares Annie-Claude Thiollat, vice-president of the FUB.
Paid training
“
Depending on the case, we receive grants from local authorities.
In Nantes, the metropolis is putting the means to encourage companies to finance these training courses
”, assures Annie-Claude Thiollat.
For individual lessons, these aids make it possible "
to welcome people at a lower cost
", adds the vice-president.
In the context of vocational training, companies bear the costs.
“
These are always reasonable prices.
A day costs 1000 euros for 24 people
,” says the director of the Azfalte company.
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This phenomenon of offering training in road safety to companies is tending to develop.
"
There are nearly 500 associations in France in all the metropolises, and we are starting in rural
areas", notifies Annie-Claude Thiollat.
