Cycling training

Please tell us what you think about our website, we welcome your feedback.

Wiltshire has developed a programme of cycling to encourage children to have a healthier lifestyle. Wiltshire Council is also committed to the government’s casualty reduction targets. In 2008, 2000 county children enrolled on the Bikeability course.

Road Safety Education also has connections with the Healthy Schools award.

Bikeability Programme

Bikeability is the Cycling Proficiency Test for the 21st century, designed to give the next generation the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on today’s busy roads. From spring 2007, thousands of children have had the chance to get the new Bikeability award in a national scheme now available across England. Wiltshire Council is proud to be one of the first local authorities to offer the complete Bikeability programme.

To get their Bikeability award, children (and adults) will be instructed on how to ride their bikes to the Government approved National Standard for Cycle Training. This sets out the training and skills essential for making cycle trips in today’s road conditions. The National Standard was developed by over 20 organisations and is maintained by the Cycle Training Standards Board. By establishing a National Standard, the Government is setting out a nationwide uniform programme of formal training which will reassure parents that young people wanting to cycle have been instructed in the essential skills and procedures wherever they may live in England.

All training is carried out by fully qualified National Standard instructors. There are three levels of training. Children will be encouraged and inspired to complete all three levels, recognising that there is always more to learn and enjoy on a bike:

Level 1:

• Usually covered in a traffic free environment. Children completing Level 1 will be able to demonstrate the skills and understanding to be able to make a trip and undertake activities safely in a traffic free environment and as a pre-requisite to a road trip.

Level 2:

• Covered on quiet roads but with real traffic conditions. Children completing Level 2 you will be able to demonstrate the skills and understanding to be able to make a trip safely to school or elsewhere on quiet roads.

Level 3:

• Covered on busy roads and incorporating real traffic conditions and advanced road features. Children completing Level 3 will be able to demonstrate the skills and understanding to be able to confidently cycle on busy roads and navigate complex junctions and road features

Bikeability is not just about teaching children to ride a bike and equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to ride a bike safely throughout the rest of their life. It’s also about introducing them to cycling as an everyday activity - an alternative mode of transport, an enjoyable pastime, which brings a healthier lifestyle and ultimately lots of fun. Bikeability will give children a life skill that once they’ve learnt, they will never forget.

Bikeability at Holt School

Payment

There is a £5 charge to participate on a Bikeability course. This covers administration costs, course resources and badges/certificates.

National Standard Instructor Training

Wiltshire Council is an accredited Instructor Training Organisation and offers instructor training courses for adults from within the county and elsewhere in the country, to train to become National Standard (Bikeability) cycle instructors. The courses are 4 days long and run from road safety in Melksham. You can find out more about the council's Instructor Training Organisation from our information factsheets. 49kb

Cycle Proficiency Programme

Wiltshire Council Road Safety has been running cycling courses for many years, under the Cycling Proficiency scheme. In 2007, the Bikeability scheme was introduced using accredited National Standard instructors. In 2008, 1500 county children participated on the Cycling Proficiency course.

Wiltshire is committed to the training of cyclists at all ages.

National Cycling Proficiency Scheme (NCP) is available for children aged ten years and above. It consists of basic on-road training and a Highway Code theory test at an elementary level. Cycling proficiency is run in those schools that have not transferred to Bikeability training.

Payment

NCP is free of charge, badges can be provided at a cost of £1.00 each.

Last updated: 20 January 2011