Bikeability In Schools
Cycle Training

Bikeability Cycle Training In Schools

It’s like cycling proficiency, but better! 

Bikeability is today’s cycle training programme. It’s about gaining practical skills and understanding how to cycle on today’s roads.

Bikeability Cycle Training gives everyone the confidence to get out on their bikes and enjoy all the additional benefits that cycling brings.

There’s a Bikeability level to suit you, whether you’re just starting out or want to use your bike more safely and more often. Our professional instructors will help you develop better, safer cycling habits.

The training is funded by the Department of Transport. It has been running for over 14 years. During this time Cyclewise, in partnership with Cumbria County Council have delivered training to over 60,000 children.

Bikeability On The Playground

What is Bikeability?

Bikeability Cycle Training is about gaining practical skills and understanding how to cycle on today’s roads. It is the only government-recognised cycle training scheme underpinned by national standards. All providers delivering this training must operate within a quality assurance system, which ensures all training is delivered to the highest standards.

Bikeability trained cyclists receive a badge and a certificate in recognition of the level they have achieved.

Bikeability Levels 1 & 2 are delivered to children in either in primary Year 5 or Year 6. Level 3 is delivered in secondary school.

Please do not hesitate to contact us or your school to find out when that training will be taking place.

Bikeability Levels

Bikeability Level 1

Level 1

The Bikeability Level 1 course aims to develop mastery in cycle handling in an off-road environment. It prepare riders for cycling on the road. Riders must be able to cycle (i.e. pedal and glide) to participate in Bikeability Level 1.
Bikeability Level 2

Level 2

Bikeability Level 2 will develop riders’ skills and confidence for cycling on single-lane roads and simple junctions with mostly moderate motor traffic flows. Preparing riders to deal with short journeys such as cycling to school or the local shops.
Bikeability Level 3

Level 3

Bikeability Level 3 equips riders with the skill and confidence to ride in more challenging roads and traffic situations. Busier streets, queuing traffic, complex junctions, and roundabouts are covered. It also includes planning routes for safe cycling.

Our Bikability Instructors

Cycle training providers delivering Bikeability must use professional National Standard Instructors. They should operate within a quality assurance system.

The Cyclewise Bikeability team are fully qualified ‘National Standard Instructors’.  As an ‘Accredited Bikeability Provider’ we are able to give out badges and certificates to all participants.

All instructors are all fully enhanced DBS checked, have first aid qualifications and also hold many other coaching, leadership, and maintenance qualifications.

They regularly undertake other training courses to ensure their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This enhances our reputation as one of the most qualified training providers in the U.K.

Our instructors all live in Cumbria and know the roads and area very well. Above all, they are all regular cyclists and very passionate about what they do. They are extremely proud and excited to be developing the cyclists of the future. Last year we reached the amazing total of 50,000 children trained in Cumbria.

Get Bikeability Ready

Bike

Make sure you check that your bike is in good working order, with the tyres inflated and the moving parts working well. If you need to take it to a bike shop before-hand, don’t leave it to the last minute!
Make sure your saddle, handlebars and wheels are fixed on tight
Ensure both your front and rear brakes work properly
Run through all of your gears
Clean and oil your chain regularly
Check your tyres are pumped up

Helmet

Your helmet should sit on top of your head comfortably. (not too tight or too loose) The peak should sit about two fingers width from your eyebrows.
The side adjusters should sit just below your ears forming a nice V on the side of your head. The chin strap should allow for two fingers to fit between it and your chin.
Cyclewise can provide helmets on the day for your child.

Clothes

You should wear whatever you would normally wear to school. You must also be prepared for different types of weather.
On cold or wet days bring your coat and gloves, and a change of clothes.
On warm days make sure you have put on suncream and keep drinking water throughout the day.
As you will be using a bit more energy than normal make sure you’ve had a good breakfast before school.

Important Information for Parents / Guardians (Terms & Conditions)

Bikebility Level  1 & 2 Cycle Training Course Information

Bikeability is a national cycle training programme funded by the Department Of Transport. (DfT) The Bikeability course will give your child the skills and confidence required to safely ride their bikes for the rest of their lives. Funding is secured from the DfT by Cumberland Council & Westmorland and Furness Council. Cyclewise are contracted to deliver this training to your child FREE of charge. Bikeability is delivered by qualified, professional, DBS checked instructors. Please see www.bikeability.org.uk for more information.  The aim of Bikeability is to get everyone cycling more safely, more often. As of 2024, Cyclewise has successfully delivered this training to over 60,000+ young people throughout Cumbria.

 

Course Duration – 4 x 2 Hour Sessions (dependant on group size)

Level 1 Session 1: Playground based session – trainee shown how to check their cycle & control & master bikes. Participants must reach the required standard in cycle control in order to proceed to the Level 2 sessions which follow.

Level 2 Sessions 2-4: Road training – basic manoeuvres at local junctions, including left & right turns & overtaking parked vehicles.

This course is not designed to teach children how to ride. To help your child before the course, please check they are able to –

  • Start & stop safely.
  • Ride in a straight line.
  • Use their gears.
  • Control their cycle when looking behind and when signalling.

If your child is struggling to ride our top tip is to take the pedals off their bike so they use it like a balance bike. Once they have the balance put the pedals back on.

 

Important – Your Child’s Bike

Their bike must be in good working order & roadworthy. All bikes will be checked over by our instructors & any child with an unsafe bike will be unable to continue with the course.

  • Fitting – Check that the cycle fits the child i.e. that the balls of both feet are on the ground whilst sitting on the saddle with legs straight. Check that the handlebars are at a comfortable height.
  • Mechanical condition – make sure that all parts are in good repair and no parts are loose
  • Tyres – worn tyres are unsafe. Tyres must have a reasonable amount of tread with no bald patches. The sidewalls should have no splits or bulges. Make sure they are correctly inflated
  • Brakes – the bike needs a front & rear brake in good condition being operated with the minimum amount of ‘pull’ – if levers touch the handlebar in the ‘on’ position, the cables are too slack.
  • Being safe – If your child has a helmet make sure they bring it on the course. It should conform to BS EN 1078 or equivalent. We also suggest that a bell is fitted to the left of the handlebar within easy grip reachPlease follow this link for some very useful information to help your child before the course commences.

 

Further Information For Parents / Guardians

To benefit from Bikeability your child should attend every session and then practice what they have learnt after training – bikeability skills will be lost without regular cycling. Please support and encourage your child to continue cycling during and after training.

Please note that this course is not designed to teach children to ride.  Please click here for some very important information about how you can prepare your child for the Bikeability course.

 

How To Book A Place On The Bikeability Course

The training will take place on a suitable date that has been arranged with your school.
You will receive a booking link via the school to complete online. If you are unable to complete the booking online please contact your school.
Please complete your consent before the cut-off date on the booking link.

You MUST complete the consent process before the consent cut-off date. Numbers may be limited and any booking requests received after this date may not be accepted. No child can participate without prior consent to take part.

All children that can ride and have their own bike are encouraged to take part.
We will bring along spare helmets for those who do not have their own.

 

Parental / Guardian Agreement

By completing the booking consent  I understand that:

  • My child may take part in cycle training.
  • My child can already ride a bike (may be refused if not).
  • The instructors my refuse to train my child if they deem their cycle to be un-roadworthy.
  • It is my responsibility to ensure my child does not ride an un-roadworthy bike and if I am in doubt, I should seek the advice of a professional mechanic.
  • Instructors may at any time refuse to continue to train my child if their behaviour or cycling ability is deemed unsuitable.
  • Cyclewise will not be responsible for any injury or liable for any loss or damage to participant’s cycles and other belongings.
  • My child will wear a helmet and clothing appropriate to the expected weather conditions. (Helmets will be provided for those that do not have their own)
  • I consent to the Bikeability instructor ‘adjusting’ my child’s helmet if required, however I confirm they are not responsible for the physical condition or appropriate fitting of the helmet.
  • I understand that pupil data collected will be used to support the delivery and monitoring of training sessions/courses – see https://www.bikeability.org.uk/terms-and-conditions/ for further details.
  • I agree to encourage my child to practice between each session and after completion of the training.

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Bikeability Office on 01768 -898775 or email sue@cyclewise.co.uk.

Contact Us

Please contact us for more information about our Bikeability Cycle Training In Schools.

We will be able to let you know when delivery will be happening in your school and answer any questions you may have about the training.

We also offer Adult Bikeability Training and Cycle Training For Organisations. Click here for more information.

Bikeability Cycle Training

Bikeability Cycle Training
Visit the Bikeability website for more information

Bikeability Cycle Training

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