Students over 12 in Shanghai will not be allowed to go to school by bicycle without a license.

Nine Shanghai middle school students took a bicycle riding license test on Tuesday. Two of them failed. This special new test will apply to Luwan district in Shanghai. Students over 12 will not be allowed to go to school by bicycle without a license. Several Shanghai media reported the news on Wednesday.

Around the campus of Zhongshan School in Shanghai's Luwan district, traffic lights, signposts and other traffic symbols were placed near and far in order to build a simulation road environment. There was also a motor vehicle lane and a bicycle and pedicab lane. A total of 9 seventh graders of Zhongshan School were tested by traffic police officers of Luwan district.

According to the teaching director of ZhongShan School, to obtain a "license," students must pass five different tests on traffic regulations, distinguishing right or wrong, self-protection, riding manners and riding skill. They will then qualify for a "bicycle appraisal certificate" and ride to school.

All of the 9 passed the first four tests, but were not very used to the expectations for the riding skills. Two testers failed.

One of the failed students said he used to ride extremely fast in order to be more macho, but his failure reminded him of the importance of safety.

Cha Anqi, an eligible participant, said she felt more confident after passing the test.

Most parents supported this test. Mrs. Li is always worried about her child's safety because the child hasn't received any formal training in riding a bicycle. Safety education in practice at may relieve parents' anxieties.

Each year, more than 16,000 primary and middle school students die from non-natural causes, with traffic accidents ranking third. This test may reduce traffic accidents, said Wang Suyun, a traffic policewoman of Luwan district.

A student has got his license after passing the bicycle riding license test.

(CRI November 23, 2006)