Nottingham's Road Safety Team is preparing to pilot a new approach to cycle training with the help of Nottingham's schools. The aim of the scheme is to make a positive contribution to shaping the attitudes of young people towards sustainable transport, physical activity and road safety. The intention is to provide structured training via an integrated and progressive scheme from the age of five until they become competent at the age of ten/eleven to take part in Cycle England's Bikeability Level One and Two training courses.

The scheme will provide accessibility to all city schools by ensuring children can participate irrespective of whether they own a cycle or not. It will also deliver a programme of training linked to the curriculum which progresses with the child through primary school. Introducing the child to appropriate cycle training at this young age offers opportunities to engage the family, school and community with key support information at each stage of the child's cycling development.

As the child develops demonstrable safe cycling and road user techniques it could help alleviate the concerns of most primary head teachers, governors and parents to allow school cycle journeys. It is anticipated that early and then staged interventions will encourage a new generation to choose cycling as a mode of transport and produce a more risk averse, disciplined future adult vehicle users. 

For further information on this project please contact:
Kaye Smith: Tel 0115 915 6556 or
E-mail kaye.smith [at] nottinghamcity [dot] gov [dot] uk

Or write to:  
Kaye Smith Cycle Education Officer,
Nottingham City Council, Road Safety,
Environment and Regeneration, Lawrence House,
Talbot Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 5NT

Nottingham City Council Cycle Training

One of the government's key strategies is to increase sustainable travel and also promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by encouraging more children to cycle as a means of transport, exercise and leisure.  However as the promotion of this initiative grows we have become aware that there has been a corresponding increase in reported injury accidents to cyclists both nationally and locally.

Nottingham City Council, in association with Ridewise, has adopted the Department for Transport's preferred Cycle England's Bikeability scheme to address some of these issues.

As a road user, cyclists must obey the rules in the Highway Code and be considerate towards other road users including pedestrians. Cycle training gives children the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to participate safely and learn about managing the changing risks associated with cycling whilst still providing a challenging and exciting activity.

Cycle Training in Schools

Nottingham City Council runs training courses for children in year six. School based courses are free. The on-road sessions are led by qualified Ridewise cycle instructors who have been Criminal Record Bureau checked. All on-road sessions are subject to a location risk assessment in and around the area the training will take place.

Level One Training consists of three one hour off-road sessions; this is delivered by a member of the school staff/volunteer trainer with support from the road safety staff. The children learn how to

• carry out a simple bike check
• get on and off the bike without help
• safe starting and stopping procedures
• stop quickly with control
• manoeuvre safely to avoid objects
• use the gears correctly
• look all around, including behind without loss of control
• signal right and left without loss of control

At the end of Level One the course the trainees should be able to

• ride their bike under full control, including starting, stopping and signalling
• identify faults on the bike that may affect their safety and understand the need to maintain their bike in a roadworthy condition

Level Two Training consists of five/six one and a half hour on-road sessions delivered by Ridewise cycle instructors. The children learn how to

• start and finish an on-road journey safely
• be aware of everything around and behind them
• understand how and when to signal their intentions to other road users
• pass parked cars or slower moving vehicles
• pass side roads
• turn left into a minor/major road
• turn right from a minor to a major road
• turn right from a major to a minor road
• explain decisions made while riding
• demonstrate basic understanding of the Highway Code
• understand the need for safety equipment and clothing

At the end of Level Two the course the trainees should be able to

• understand the dangers involved in riding on the road and how to cope with a variety of traffic situations
• recognise potential hazards and take appropriate actions
• understand the benefits of protective equipment such as reflectors, high visibility clothing and helmets

Cycle training information for schools

We can run cycle training courses at any time of the year in as long as it is in school time, but after school courses are only run between March and October because of the darker nights. The period between May and July is always extremely busy, so it is advisable to book at a quieter time to guarantee a course. You will also need a volunteer instructor to run 3 off-road sessions.

Please complete the registration form and either e mail it to:
kaye.smith [at] nottinghamcity [dot] gov [dot] uk or send to:

Cycle Training Registration
Nottingham City Council, Road Safety,
Environment and Regeneration, Lawrence House,
Talbot Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 5NT

Becoming a Volunteer Cycle Instructor

Our volunteer Cycle Instructors teach level 1, they mainly work between March and October, but the busiest time is May-July. The training takes place on the playground and the children learn how to carry out simple bike safety checks, safe start and stopping procedures, turning left and right and how to use the gears correctly.  As a volunteer you will receive training and support from the Road Safety Team.

If you are interested in volunteering to help deliver level 1 training, or  you would like your child to take part in this scheme please contact your school or alternatively ring us on 0115 915 6556 for more details.  

Useful links:   
http://www.ridewise.org.uk/
http://www.bikeability.org.uk/