First Gear and On Two Wheels are UK Youth's Vehicle Education programmes. They aim to encourage young people aged between 14 and 17 to develop positive attitudes towards the responsibilities inherent in the safe use of motor vehicles.
The programmes address two specific areas of young people's interest:
- First Gear - focuses on driving, and the responsibilities of car use and ownership.
- On Two Wheels - focuses on riding, and the responsibilities of motorcycle use and ownership.
First Gear is aimed particularly at the 15-17 age groups and On Two Wheels is aimed particularly at the 14-17 age groups. Experience has shown that the First Gear and On Two Wheels process is also relevant to young people over the age of seventeen, even those who have already passed the Driving Standards Agency driving/motorcycle test. Adjustments can be made to the practical driving/riding element to take their greater experience into account. UK Youth cooperates with the DSA in the delivery of young driver education and there is direct synergy between the Arrive Alive programme and First Gear.
This programme has been developed by UK Youth with assistance from a range of organisations with expertise within the fields of road safety, driver and rider education, traffic management and the motor vehicle industry. They include: Association of British Insurers, Association of Chief Police Officers, Camrider, Department for Transport, Kawasaki Motor UK, Local Authorities Road Safety Officers Association, Motor Cycle Industry Association, Motorcycle Rider Training Association, Motor Schools Association of Great Britain, RAC, Thames Valley Partnership and Thames Valley Police.
The main aims of the First Gear and On Two Wheels programme are to:
- Challenge young people’s attitudes to vehicle ownership and use;
- Provide participants with the correct information to help them become safe and responsible road users;
- Provide an opportunity for participants to acquire basic practical skills in vehicle use and care;
- Provide an opportunity for young people to explore a range of issues using the motor vehicle as a focus.
In addition to the obvious benefits that can be gained from participating in the programme, engaging young people in this way opens the door to a much wider agenda. Issues such as road safety, the law and vehicle related crime, insurance and accident reduction can be underpinned with other important messages such as those concerning alcohol and drugs, the environment, employment and training, personal safety, image and peer pressure and the development of self confidence, a sense of achievement and social skills.
Young people who have taken part in First Gear and On Two Wheels have found the course:
- Increases confidence
- Increases self esteem
- Increases the ability to work as part of a team
- Increases organisation skills
- Builds decision –making ability
- Helps build relationships
- Encourages personal growth, challenge and initiative
To download the First Gear and On Two Wheels Information Pack, please download from the link below:
