Cycling Awareness

Level One - Bikeability

Cycling Awareness courses are designed for key stage 1 and key stage 2 (7- to 9-year-olds).

This basic course will concentrate on developing control skills but will not include any road riding.

The course comprises:

• Basic maintenance
• Stopping and starting
• General control
• Cycling along a straight line
• Cycling around obstacles
• Cycling with one hand off the handlebars

Practical Cyclist Training

Level Two Bikeability

These are practical courses that help children develop their cycle control skills, road safety knowledge and traffic awareness, and will be carried out both on and off the road.  The courses are aimed at children aged 9 and over, because younger children have difficulty in judging speed and distance of traffic and should not be riding in the road without adult supervision.

The course includes:

• A cycle safety check
• Safety equipment
• Conspicuity
• Highway Code and general cycling matters
• Cycle control skills
• Starting and stopping
• Turning left
• Turning right
• Overtaking
• Signalling

Trainees will have developed the basic skills of safer cycling but that does not mean that they will always remember to put into practice what they have learned. Some traffic situations and stretches of road will still be too complex for them, so parents are advised to provide continued help and guidance.

The following template letters are available as downloadable PDF files:

Cycling Awareness Letter (47Kb)

Cycling Proficiency Letter (37Kb)

Level Three Bikeability

This is for Year 7 (12-year-olds) and above.

Level 3 is moving up to busy roads and advanced road features. It's like driving or motorbike lessons and once you have done it you should be able to cycle most places safely, certainly after some practice.

This training will be carried out by an accredited National Standards Cycling Instructor to the appropriate level and there may be a charge made for this training.

We Need Cycle Instructors, Are You Interested? If so, please telephone Margaret Tester on 01793 466399.

Helmet Wearing

Cycling is healthy and enjoyable but it is not risk-free. Wearing a cycle helmet will not stop your child becoming involved in an accident but will help to prevent serious injury.

For useful information, facts and quizzes please see the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust (BHIT) website (www.bhit.org).

Cycle Routes Across the Country

For more information on cycle routes please see the Sustrans website (www.sustrans.org.uk).