This event is designed to provide youth enrolled in the 4-H bicycle program with an educational activity. Participants will have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the bicycle and the rules associated with its operation as well as demonstrate their skills in bicycle riding using a bicycle with a 26-inch (or larger) wheel. The exception in size will be a 24-inch multi-gear bicycle only when needed to fit the rider's physical size. Safety will be stressed throughout the contest. The use of bicycle safety helmets is required while at any site used for the overall national event.

This contest will include (time limits as shown):

1. Written examination - 40 multiple choice and true-false questions (20 minutes)
2. Parts Identification - Identify 10 parts in 5 minutes (5 minutes)
3. Skill Riding Events:
   • Straight-line test
   • Double obstacle test
   • Double zigzag obstacle test
   • Figure eight steering
   • City Street Course
4. Bicycle Safety Inspection - used for safety and educational purposes only.

 

Contestants will wear properly fitted Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or SNELL approved bicycle helmets whenever they are riding a bicycle in the contest area and on the grounds of the national event site.

Contestants are encouraged to bring their own bicycles and helmets for use in this event. The bicycle must properly fit the individual and meet accepted safety standards.

Bicycles will be provided for contestants unable to provide their own (Please request a bicycle at least 3 weeks prior to the event so one can be obtained). The Safety Inspection Form on C-3 will be used to inspect a bike.

The event is designed to be a practical safety demonstration and attempts to simulate actual operating conditions. However, in this event situation, contestants must remain seated while riding in the skill events.

Designated judges will preside over the event and their decisions will be final.

Scoring: The points-off system will be used with penalty points given for errors. The winning contestant will be the one with the lowest total score

Incorrect _______ x 5 = _______ Penalty Points	Name: __________________________
If two parts to answer, each worth 2.5 points.	State _____________Number _______

 

Name:__________________________

State__________ Number__________

Special remarks by Inspector (deficiencies to be corrected) ___________________________________________

Name: ________________________________

State ____________Number_______________

Purpose:

To determine the rider's ability to maintain control of the bicycle while riding a straight line.

Diagram:

"Start" "Finish"

Procedure:

Name: ____________________________

State __________ Number ____________

Purpose:

Diagram:

Procedure:

* (Examples: failure to follow instructions; riding, not walking bike; failure to use helmet) At judge's discretion, consultation with eventcoordinator/superintendent required.

Name: ___________________________

State __________ Number ___________

Purpose:

Diagram:

 Procedure:

* (Examples: failure to follow instructions; riding, not walking bike; failure to use helmet) At judge's discretion, consultation with event coordinator/superintendent required.

Name: ______________________

State ________ Number ________

Purpose:

Diagram:

Procedure:

The purpose of the 4-H city streets skills event is to provide bicyclists an opportunity to demonstrate the necessary life skills to safely navigate a bicycle through a simulated traffic environment. The course should not be considered an equal substitute for a real street environment, but does attempt to meet certain cognitive and motor skills necessary for real life situations. Bicyclists are scored on scanning, turning, stopping, and how they react to hazards in traffic. Bicyclists are bicycle drivers who must follow rules of the road for vehicle drivers.

City Streets is designed to include three streets and two intersections, but event planners can easily adapt local courses to fit the local environment. The layout of the actual course is not as important as ensuring the necessary skills are fairly tested. Bicyclists should learn, practice, and build their skills by bicycling in various real street conditions. City Streets can be used by the instructor to teach; however, students should be aware that distances and hazards are substantially less than in real street dimensions and situations.

Materials for laying out course: You will need a large area such as a parking lot, a section of street that can be controlled, or the inside of a large building such as a fairgrounds building or warehouse. Look for asphalt or concrete surfaces when possible. Depending on the selected site, a variety of materials may be needed to lay out the course. Multi-colored tapes, softball field markers (remember to use flour rather than lime) chalk, old garden or fire hoses and lawn chair webbing are all forms that have been used in the past. Signs can be made or purchased. Cones or other items can be used to simulate street hazards.

4-H City Streets Course/Score Sheet: The course layout and score sheet have been combined to make it easier for the judges to score each contestant. (A separate score sheet is included if the layout is changed locally.) In the upper right hand corner is a place for name or number and state or county. In the upper left hand corner are instructions and explanations where you will find dimension recommendations for course layout. These will vary depending on your site. It is not required to put intersections and streets at the same angle as found on the score sheet. This was done in order to include all possible information on the score sheet. However, if you find you have limited physical space to work with, you may need to do something similar. Two judges are the minimum number required; more would be better for larger layouts. The bicyclist will move quickly through the course and judges must see the action and record points quickly.

Judges for City Streets: Although City Streets is considered a safety skills event, it is also about evaluating an individual’s ability to handle a bicycle in traffic environments. Judges should not only have knowledge of safe handling but also a practical competency of street and highway riding. Judges are often chosen from law enforcement agencies that normally would be expected to be knowledgeable of traffic rules. If they do not have first hand experience at riding in traffic environments, it is suggested you pair the officer with someone from a bicycling organization or club who has street skills.

Set of Performance Skills and Scoring Procedure

The skills to be tested while riding a bicycle are grouped into five categories.
1. Scanning, or looking back for oncoming traffic while riding straight ahead
2. Turning for lane changes and at intersections
3. Stopping by planting foot, which is separate from slowing or braking
4. Unexpected car or other hazard, maneuvering safely around it
5. Railroad crossing for which a cyclist has a choice of walking or riding across tracks

In addition, bicyclists must show signaling and general handling control at all times.

Scoring is via penalty points, and thus better bicyclists earn few points (as with golf). The course can be divided into two zones for judging. Both judges will have a score sheet and should check error location directly on the course/score sheet. The occurrence of the penalty is noted on the separate scoring lines, multiplied and added accordingly. Each set of performance skills is weighted by multiples of five points. Both score sheet totals are combined. The sum of all weighted errors will be the score for the City Streets event.

Locations for judges are recommendations only, as individual judges may prefer to walk behind the cyclist although the bike moves quickly or observe the student from other angles. Judge #1 is responsible from the start to the ‘scan front tire’ of the unexpected car hazard. Judge #2 starts immediately at the ‘sign right’ after the car through the end of the course.

History of 4-H City Streets

In the early 1990s, Indiana 4-H adopted for the state fair a bicycle event called City Block from Minnesota 4-H. A few years after Purdue University began hosting the National 4-H Engineering, Science, & Leadership Event, the Bicycle Event Chairs worked with the host Indiana 4-H program to introduce the City Block as a pilot program. Two of the original six skill events used for many years were removed to add this more realistic road skill event. After several years of testing and alterations, City Streets emerged in September 2002. In September 2003, the 4-H City Streets Event was included with four other skill events as the riding portion of the national bicycle safety event.

Committee members: Dr. David S. Ross, Chairman, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension; Richard Vonnegut, Indiana 4-H volunteer; Eric Blank, Indiana 4-H Bicycle Volunteer, and Cheryl D. Wyatt, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. May 2003.

City Streets Skills Event – Test 5

Course Diagram

City Streets Skills Event – Test 5

Scoring Sheet

Name/Number__________________

State/County ___________________

City Streets Skills Event – Test 5

Instructions for Scoring and Teaching

The following activities may be included in the Event. Instructions are given below for both teaching the activity and for scoring the activity. The course will involve one-way and two-way roads and proper turns from intersections. Note the illustrated examples given below and the instructions for each. Bicyclists are bicycle drivers who must obey vehicle traffic laws.

1. Right Turn (two way to two way) — Bicyclists should signal by giving a right turn signal (left arm pointing upward at elbow, upper arm horizontal or right arm fully extended parallel to ground). Before turning, the biker needs to scan for traffic. Scan Left, Right, and Left.

2. Scanning Exercise — The bicyclist is expected to scan to the rear before moving left in the lane and in preparation for making a turn. In the riding event, the bicyclist should identify the letter on a card held by a judge to indicate scanning was done. The bicyclist should look over the left shoulder.

3. Stop - Left Turn (two way to two way) — Bicyclists are to stop before the crosswalk, yielding right of way to any pedestrians. While approaching the intersection and before moving to the center of road, the bicyclist should signal a left turn (left arm fully extended parallel to ground), and scan to the rear for motor vehicles. After getting to the road's center, the bicyclist should signal his or her intention to stop (left arm bent down at the elbow). Before turning, the bicyclist should scan for traffic. This scanning is to look Left, Right and Left again. After making the turn, the bicyclist should move to the center of the road. The bicyclist should signal a right turn (left arm bent upward at elbow in a right angle or right arm fully extended parallel to ground) before moving from the center to right side of the road).

4. Parked Car (or other hazard) — Bicyclist should ride in a straight line and stay at least three feet from parked vehicles when passing them. Bicyclist should not weave between parked vehicles. The bicyclist should look at the front tire of an occupied parked car while passing to detect any motion and to note the direction the car would move into traffic. The front tire shows any motion and direction.

5. Left Turn (two way to one way) — Biker should signal a left turn by fully extending left arm parallel to ground. Left turn signal must be given before moving to the center of two-way street. An additional left turn signal may be given after moving to center of street but prior to making the left turn.

   Note: The second left turn signal is optional and the biker will not be penalized for failing to give the signal. Before turning, biker should scan for traffic.

   
6. Stop - Left Turn (one way to two way) — For teaching purposes, draw a crosswalk or use an existing one. The bicyclist must stop before the crosswalk, yielding right of way to any pedestrians. While approaching an intersection, the bicyclist should signal a left turn (left arm extended parallel to ground) to indicate the intention to turn left at the intersection. The bicyclist must come to a complete stop. Before turning, the bicyclist should scan for traffic (Left, Right; Left). After making the turn, the bicyclist should signal a right turn (left arm bent upward in a right angle or right arm fully extended parallel to ground) before moving from the center to the right side of the road.

7. Railroad Tracks — Approaching a railroad crossing, the bicyclist should give the slowing down (left arm bent down at elbow) signal. Two ways of crossing a railroad track are: 1. dismount bike and walk across tracks, or 2. slow down and ride bike across tracks at a 90-degree angle to the rails (see below).

The bicyclist must look both directions (scan) for a train prior to crossing the railroad track. The bicyclist also should look behind (scan), prior to crossing the tracks, to ensure the bicyclist does not weave in front of a motor vehicle while crossing. Proper signals must be given for moving in the lane to position ones self for riding across the tracks.

 

8. Right Turn (two way to two way) — Bicyclist should signal a right turn (left arm bent upward in a right angle or right arm fully extended parallel to ground). Before turning, the bicyclist should scan for traffic (Left, Right, and Left).