Playground

The traffic playground was established in 2001 in cooperation with AMK Hořice, BESIP and the town of Hořice, which is also its founder. The area of the Autocamp U Věže was equipped with removable traffic signs and other equipment enabling the operation of the traffic playground. To enable practical education, the traffic playground received a total of 15 bicycles, ten of which were provided by the town of Hořice and five by AMK Hořice. For theoretical teaching, the traffic playground was given one room in the main building of the Autocamp.

In the following years, further improvements were made to the area of the traffic playground, such as the construction of a connecting road, which made it possible to extend the length of the roads used for practical training. Another development was the construction of a warehouse for supplies used in practical training.

Teaching on the children’s traffic playground is intended mainly for pupils of the 4th grade of primary schools. Currently, approximately 360 pupils from 12 primary schools from Hořice and the surrounding area participate. As the operation of this facility is dependent on weather conditions, the playground is usually open from April to September, except for holidays. Each class participates in two teaching blocks of approximately 4½ hours each, with one usually taking place in the spring and one in the autumn.

The theoretical part of the lessons takes place inside the main building of the Autocamp, where pupils learn about the rules of the road through explanations by experienced instructors, projections of instructional films and discussion of model road traffic situations with the help of visual aids.

The practical part of the training takes place on the roads located in the area of the Autocamp U Věže, where pupils try to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge in their own cycling. Currently, they have a total of 15 bicycles (10 Liberta and 5 Olpran).

At the end, the pupils take a knowledge test, after which they are awarded a cycling licence.

As part of the training on the traffic playground, pupils should be familiar with the rules contained in the Road Traffic Act and its application to cycling.

At a minimum, this training should include the following:

• the meaning of traffic signs in particular situations (right of way at junctions, one-way traffic, no entry, directional signs, no turning, etc.),
• dangerous places for cyclists,
• entering the roadway from an off-road position,
• pulling out from the edge of the road,
• riding on the right-hand edge of the road,
• stopping at the edge of the road,
• passing an obstacle, overtaking cyclists,
• turning, changing lanes,
•  crossing junctions, etc.

During training, the following tasks should be emphasized:

• constant monitoring of traffic,
• looking around, looking back,
• signaling the direction of travel,
• early and gradual braking,
• keeping on the track when driving slowly and steering with one hand,
• cyclists riding in a group,
• giving way to pedestrians,
• respect for other road users,
• principles of clear driving,
• dealing with complex situations at junctions,
• competitive rides (along a predetermined route, between stations, or completely free but controlled rides).

Pupils should also be made aware of the risks associated with cycling during training on the traffic playground, including:

• slipping a wheel,
• hitting an obstacle,
• collision of cyclists,
• indicating a change of direction,
• entering the lane,
• entanglement of clothing in a chain,
• leaving the marked route, etc.