Pedestrian and cycle training for pupils during Road Safety Week

St Michael’s RC Primary, 'Kerbcraft' training

Primary school children across Rhondda Cynon Taf have once again been engaged during this year’s national Road Safety Week, as Council officers undertook a series of important safety training sessions. These are aimed at helping young people stay safe while walking or cycling in the community. 

Each year, the Council delivers local road safety activities in support of Road Safety Week – an initiative coordinated across the UK by the charity Brake. The 2025 edition ran from November 16-22 and the overall campaign focused on ‘Safe vehicles, safe lives!” – to raise awareness about regularly checking and maintaining vehicles. Find out more about Road Safety Week 2025.

The week is an important annual event for the Council’s dedicated Road Safety Team – with important engagement work taking place with young people in our local schools. In 2025, nine schools were engaged by officers:

• ‘Kerbcraft’ training – officers have delivered this practical pedestrian training scheme to teach Year 2 pupils vital skills, helping them stay safe when walking within their communities. This included practical activities in the streets near each of the eight participating schools – St Michael’s RC Primary, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Abercynon, Hafod Primary, Ynysboeth Community Primary School, Coedpenmaen Primary, Trallwng Infants’, Parc Lewis Primary, and Abercynon Community Primary School.

• National Standard cycle training – this practical training was carried out at Hirwaun Primary School, aiming to achieve safe and responsible cycling skills. The sessions were carried out on the school yard, and are intended to develop young people’s cycling skills and give them the confidence to carry these out in their communities in a safe way.

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “Road Safety Week is an important date in our calendar every November, as the Council supports the charity Brake in raising awareness about different aspects of road safety, and delivering local training. Our dedicated Road Safety Team visited nine schools to coincide with the 2025 edition, with the aim of teaching key skills to our young people, to help them stay safe as pedestrians and cyclists.

“This is an extension of officers’ close working with our schools all-year round, along with other activities that we routinely take part in. These can include roadside exercises with partners like South Wales Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service – for example, ensuring motorists are wearing their seatbelts while behind the wheel, and that they are not using mobile phones.

“Thank you to everyone who took part in Road Safety Week here in Rhondda Cynon Taf – particularly pupils and staff at our nine participating schools who gave officers a warm welcome and were fully-engaged with the activities.”