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Cycle Safety Training
Cycling and road safety organisations have
joined together with the Department for Transport to
create a new National Standard for Cycle Training. Training for children,
and adults, in real situations under the supervision
of qualified instructors.
Whether it's for children who can learn and
remember so much crucial information at this
stage of their life or just the confidence and assurance adult cyclists need
correct training is useful for all of us who travel by
bike. Cycling to school, commuting, off-road recreational cycling are
all covered either by one-to-one
lessons, group sessions or after school clubs.
The National Cycling Proficiency Test and the more in depth National Standard Cycle
Training.
The National
Cycling Proficiency Test
Helps to develop observation and
manoeuvrability skills, introduces the Highway Code for Young Road Users,
teaches the importance of cycle maintenance and hazard awareness, and
provides information and advice on being conspicuous and wearing protective
headgear. Training courses are usually taught over 6-8 hours run in three or four
sessions following the principles of safe cycling. The course includes the
basics of off-road training and on-road training, progressing from
quiet roads to building confidence on busier roads.
Adults too
National Standard Cycle Training
- Beginner (Level 1) Bicycle control and handling skills, including use
of gears. Carried out away from traffic, this may be offered as a
separate course or at the start of a level 2 course. For children, this
training will typically be offered at age 7.
- Introduction to on-road cycling (Level 2) This is on-road training.
Following the course, students should be able to cycle safely on their
own on quieter local roads. Most child students should be able to cycle
to school. Training will usually be offered to children at ages 10-11,
enabling them to put new skills into action in the last year or two at
primary school.
- Advanced training (Level 3) Learning how to cope with busier roads and
hazards. Children will generally be taught in the first year or two
(Year 7 or 8) at secondary school and will be able to plan and ride
their safest routes to and from school but equally, this training is
suitable for many adults.
Who to contact
For children, get in touch with the school to check if they
participate
in cycling safety programmes. For adults, children too if the school is not
closely involved with cycle safety, get in
touch with the Cycling Officer or Cycling Development Officer at your
local authority (council). If you are getting still stuck then get in touch with
us at cycle-n-sleep.co.uk
and we'll find the right contact for you.
Useful links:
ROSPA
National
Standard Cycle Training
A
- Z of Local Authority Councils
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