Bikeability the new 'National Standard' for Cycle Training

  
     
 

'National Standards' cycle training was developed by the Department of Transport in conjunction with 'British Cycling'  and the Cyclists Touring Club together with ROSPA, to raise the quality of cycle training. It has now been given the name 'Bikeability' to identify it and to distinguish it from the obsolete Cycling Proficiency.

Bikeability Level 1

Level 1 can be delivered 'off road' and is for those cannot ride a bike at all; or whose level of skills is insufficient for them to start 'on road' training

 

Bikeability levels 2 and 3 must be delivered 'on road' by instructors who ride with the trainees. The standards have been designed to take into account 'best practise' from all the various cycle training schemes. All the instructors must be regular cyclists used to cycling in modern traffic.

 

The levels below represent an abbreviated syllabus, but are sufficient to judge your own capabilities if you are not sure of them. Trainees have to complete level 1, before level 2 (on road) training can start. For safety reasons we cannot certify someone as capable of dealing with modern road traffic, unless we have seen them coping under supervised conditions first.

 

The safety requirements of 'on road' training mean that trainee/instructor ratios are quite low  with a maximum of around 2 : 6 for youngsters. However for schools, level 1 can be delivered 'off road' with a much higher ratio of pupils to instructors.

  
     
 

All level 1A & B basic control skills to be delivered off road

Level 1A    Trainee who has never been on a bike before

  • A1  Getting on and off

  • A2  Starting off an pedalling without help

  • A3  Stopping without help

  • A4  Riding without help

  • A5  Steering where the rider wants to 

 

Level 1B   Trainee can ride a bike without any support

  • B1  Using gears

  • B2  Stopping quickly under control

  • B3  Swerving to avoid objects

  • B4  Looking behind without wobbling

  • B5  Signalling without wobbling

  • B6  Looking behind and signalling without wobbling

 

Level 2  Trainee now ready for on road training

  • 2.1  Starting from side of road

  • 2.2  Stopping from side of road

  • 2.3  Looking all around including  behind

  • 2.4  Understanding road positioning

  • 2.5  Passing a parked car or small moving vehicles

  • 2.6  Passing side roads

  • 2.7  Junction turns 1 (turn right into a major rd and left into a minor rd) plus U turns

  • 2.8  Junction turns 2 (turn left into a major road and right into a minor road)

  • 2.9  Road narrowing

  • 2.10 Pros and cons of cycle lanes

  • 2.11 Adequate understanding of Highway Code

 

Level 3  More complicated situations

  • 3.1  Roundabouts

  • 3.2  Traffic light controlled junctions

  • 3.3  Multi lane roads

  • 3.4  Filtering

  • 3.5 Understanding other issues:- suitable clothing, lighting, cycle equipment and maintenance.

We also offer specialised training that goes well beyond the scope of the national syllabus! Training for riding long distances, or for personal fitness. Bike maintenance courses, specialised training for groups.

 

Whatever your needs, just contact us and we will endeavour to help.