A Boy Goes Cycling (1963) | BFI National Archive

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/in.... 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.e....
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[@simonnelson7770]

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]

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

[@deedeedodo8092]

​@@peterpedant things are even worse in 2024 😞

[@TheWorldofGood79]

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.

[@peacockpaula4723]

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!

[@benjohnson3022]

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]

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 .

[@dfddwm]

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

[@dfddwm]

@@Geardrive427-ip8vj You did ha ha

[@melb6528]

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]

Every thing on all Levels have been Dumped Down

[@jaimz33]

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.

[@alzeNL]

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

[@dfddwm]

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

[@denishoulan1491]

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

[@kevinmothers904]

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!

[@imdbist]

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]

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

[@BokorRider]

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

[@pleatedskirt18]

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

[@michaelturner4457]

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

[@davidrayner182]

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]

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

[@stephenlever419]

Give a thumbs up to the Beatles that emerged in the same year 😊😊😊😊

[@johnchurch4705]

Proper policeman in proper uniform.

[@bawns9416]

I did my cycling test in 1977

[@steverhodesvideos6244]

I grew up in the states about this same time, but I notice that none of the British bikes had coaster brakes, which most kids' bikes had in the states. Why is that?

[@jimmywormholes2053]

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

[@anthonyfoster2605]

9:37 Tuesday 25 July was 1961 not 1963.

[@Giantdwarf00]

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

[@gregtaylor6146]

Anyone recognise the school?

[@pleatedskirt18]

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

[@KevinDoyle-r1w]

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

[@lighthousecollector]

Gosh. Hard to believe they went to so much trouble teaching kids to ride . Yet they didn't need to wear a helmet .

[@cosycleaner]

When bicycles were not ridden on/off pavements!

[@gregtaylor6146]

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

[@michaelturner4457]

LOL yeah sure.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

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

[@steverhodesvideos6244]

Brilliant