The National Cycle Proficiency Test
Cycling on roads requires competence and this can be supported by taking the RoSPA National Cycling Proficiency Test. It is offered to children over the age of nine for free, often through their school and generally administered by local authorities in the UK. Some local authorities offer training for adults too - the Road Safety or Cycling Officer may be a useful first contact.
The National Proficiency Test helps to develop observation and maneuverability 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.
RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents):'Cycling training and education should be available to every child, as far as possible reflecting local needs and environment, but in accordance with a nationally agreed ‘Code of Good Practice’. Ideally, cycling education and training should be available throughout every child’s school life (using the model of a spiral curriculum) incorporating separate stages of cycling education appropriate to their ages and stages of development. All practical training schemes involving children over nine years of age should incorporate training on public roads'.