A Boy Goes Cycling (1963) | BFI National Archive

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6 жыл бұрын

You can almost smell the chalk dust and hot asphalt in this colourful film about two schoolboys, who take their cycling proficiency test so they can cycle safely to school from their homes in South East London. Helped by some very-60s visual aids - dummy road signs, a slide show and a real-life policeman - the lads pass with flying colours and get dad out of a fix with a broken-down motor.
The wry commentary is spoken by Johnny Morris, a popular mainstay of children's television from the 60s to the 80s, who became famous for his role as the zookeeper and 'voice' of the animals in the long-running BBC series Animal Magic.
This video is part of the Orphan Works collection. When the rights-holder for a film cannot be found, that film is classified as an Orphan Work. Find out more about Orphan Works: ec.europa.eu/internal_market/c.... This is in line with the EU Orphan Works Directive of 2012. The results of our search for the rights holder of this film can be found in the EU Orphan Works Database: euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en...
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Пікірлер: 36

@simonnelson7770 3 жыл бұрын

I wasn't born when this film was made but I can't help think this was an amazing time to be alive. No chavs, less aggression, more manors and respect for each other. What is becoming of this world and how scary it will be in another 50 years from now.

@peterpedant Жыл бұрын

You forgot to add, no mass third world immigration too.

@deedeedodo8092 Ай бұрын

@@peterpedant things are even worse in 2024 😞

@jaimz33 2 ай бұрын

We could do with that now. Here they ride black bikes in black clothes with no lights on very dark nights, even on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic. The cops totally ignore it.

@peacockpaula4723 2 ай бұрын

I wasn't born so those boys probably are in their early seventies,bless them,they had to do a lot and learn. Interesting and lovely times all those years ago...a pleasure to watch,listen and I certainly identify myself with that life style, very neat...Amazing!

@johnchurch4705 3 жыл бұрын

Proper policeman in proper uniform.

@alzeNL 3 ай бұрын

1:43 'every morning they wait for the bus' - these days 'mummy takes them in the chelsa tractor'

@dfddwm Күн бұрын

Plus experience of cycling everyday as a kid makes you more careful driving a car later.

@melb6528 4 жыл бұрын

Sadly the Cycling Proficiency Test was discontinued in the mid 2000's to be replaced by 'bikeability' which was neither welcomed by instructors or parents at the time. A poor substitute that contributed little to road , cycle, or as we now see pedestrian safety. Another case of fixing something that was not broken , in the name of progress.

@mindblast3901 3 жыл бұрын

Every thing on all Levels have been Dumped Down

@dfddwm Күн бұрын

I got my first bike about then. Never stopped since then. Plus Greece, Italy, London /Brighton, Devon, Midlands...

@imdbist 6 жыл бұрын

This could have been me. I was 11 in 1963 and had to cycle 3 miles to get to school each morning. Rain, snow, hail I always cycled. I'd passed my cycling test a year earlier. Kids should do the same today and perhaps there wouldn't be so much obesity.

@dfddwm Күн бұрын

Exactly, plus temperament. Too much mother molly cuddling today. 😅

@TheWorldofGood79 4 жыл бұрын

This is brilliant all youngsters should be given the chance to take the cycle proficiency test at school these days. I took mine in 1979 and it was very similar to this. It has held me in good stead ever since and I still ride nearly everyday. It would also be so beneficial for the environment if more people got on their bikes. And as a pedestrian it is so annoying when I have to step in the road as a teenager is riding on the pavement! More cycle paths and more road safety awareness for cyclists is needed.

@denishoulan1491 4 жыл бұрын

I took the Cycling Proficiency test in 1968. In my school you took this at aged ten, although it was not obligatory.

@kevinmothers904 3 жыл бұрын

I passed my test aged 11on Friday 18th July 1969 just before I moved to secondary school. I have just dug out the badge and certificate to compare it with the one in the video only to out find it was signed by the then President, a certain Richard Beeching of railway line closure fame!

@michaelturner4457 3 ай бұрын

I passed my cycle proficiency when I was 10 in 1973.

@benjohnson3022 2 ай бұрын

Love these old movie, it must have been great to live then. I also love how the teacher is teaching about cycling by having a child sat on a bike on top of a table :)

@samsum3738 2 ай бұрын

My first grown up bike was given to me brand new by my father in 1962 , when i was 10 . The most unique thing about it was the white tyres .

@BokorRider 3 жыл бұрын

still got me badge :D ( you got a little trianglular badge when I passed probably in 77 or 78)

@pleatedskirt18 6 ай бұрын

Mine is on my saddle bag along with my Scout Standard, Advanced Scout Standard and my YHA/SYHA badges.

@davidrayner182 6 жыл бұрын

I don't think it was compulsory at that time to take such a test. I had a bicycle when I was a youngster and never took the test.

@michaelturner4457 3 ай бұрын

At my school it was compulsory if we wanted to ride a bike to school.

@bawns9416 21 күн бұрын

I did my cycling test in 1977

@jimmywormholes2053 Жыл бұрын

AnoTher PlaneT... GoddeSS God BleSS JohnnY...

@pleatedskirt18 6 ай бұрын

A slight aside - when did anyone last see a policeman [yes, I'm old, a policeman] on point duty?

@anthonyfoster2605 4 жыл бұрын

9:37 Tuesday 25 July was 1961 not 1963.

@Alloneword-cp2xw Жыл бұрын

the year date is the date it was released not filmed.

@gregtaylor6146 Жыл бұрын

Anyone recognise the school?

@user-wq1cf7ms5r 2 ай бұрын

Much better days. People are so lazy and self entitled these days,

@cosycleaner 6 жыл бұрын

When bicycles were not ridden on/off pavements!

@gregtaylor6146 Жыл бұрын

Absolute tosh, of course they were! ........though due respect was given to pedestrians if we did so.

@michaelturner4457 3 ай бұрын

LOL yeah sure.

@ShakespeareCafe 2 ай бұрын

David and his "friend' now share a flat and recently bought a electric bike from China, while charging it, the battery burst into flames in a thermal runaway event destroying an entire city block