Cycle Training
Frequently Asked Questions
I'll try and answer the most important questions first and for parents and guardians it's the children that come first. However you will find all your questions answered somewhere on this site. If you don’t please use my mail address or the Feedback form to raise any other questions and I'm sure to put them on here when I next edit the pages.
What standard of training will my child expect to receive?
What qualifications do you have?
Can you tell me what the Criminal Records Bureau check is?
Do the Trainers and Helpers have these checks done?
Do you run Bikeability course?
How do I know this course will be safe for my child?
What about wearing a cycling helmet?
How do you deal with the different weather conditions we have here?
Are you covered if there is an incident or crash on the course?
Is there procedure you follow if there is an incident?
How do you what type of training is appropriate for me?
Where is the training going to take place?
Who is eligible to have the training?
How long is it going to take me to learn?
What standard of training will my child expect to receive?
All our instructors are Accredited National Standard Cycling Instructor trained by Wiltshire County Council Road Safety Unit (who are Accredited by Cycling England to train trainers) to deliver Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the National Cycling Standard. Within this Standard is the 'Bikeability' scheme which I also run, mainly for young people who like a badge and certificate to mark they achievement at each level.
What qualifications do you have?
Qualifications for this course are, National Standard Cycling Instructor accredited to deliver Level 1, 2 and 3 of this standard. C&G in Adult Teaching, Full driving licence for car, Class 1 lorry CE, motorbike A, First Aided.
Other qualification not relevant to course but may give you an idea of me;
ITB Electrical and Electronic Engineer, British Wheel of Yoga trained Yoga Teacher, Currently Masters in Advanced Environmental Building Design.
What experience do you have to run this course?;
I have for the pass 12 years’ trained Year 6 students in Cycling Proficiency at local school. Amongst these groups I have taught students with behaviour and learning difficulties.
I have a vest amount of experience of the road and its’ users. I have cycled since I was 14 and raced for a number of years. I have driven Class 1 Lorries in Europe and the UK, both day and night. I ride a motorbike for pleasure and a car to stay dry in (smile).
I have organised seminars and run courses in stress management and Yoga for adults. I have also taught as a teacher for the LEA in Swindon.
Can you tell me what the Criminal Records Bureau check is?
The Criminal Records Bureau or CRB Standard Check is a check done on adults work with children and vulnerable adults to see if they have any convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings held on the Police National Computer. It also checks against the following lists Protection of Children Act List, Protection of Vulnerable Adults List and the DfES under Section 142 of the Education Act 2002 people unsuitable or banned from working with children. A CRB Enhanced Check contains the same information as the Standard Check but with the addition of local police force information considered relevant by the Chief Police Officer.
The check is normally requested by an employer as they have a ‘duty of care’ to the people they offer services too.
A CRB certificate is updated every 4 years.
Do the Trainers and Helpers have these checks done?
All our instructors have been CRB checked and all currently have CRB Enhanced Check certificate. As an instructor working for Cycling Now it is mandatory to hold a current CRB and we would expect parents/guardians, school/establishment to ask to see my CRB certificate.
If there is a helper working with one of our instructors they do not have to hold a CRB, but they do need to be supervised by us at all times and they will be. Helpers normally come from the school like teachers and assistants who always have CRB Enhanced Check certificates.
What is Bikeability?
Put simply, Bikeability is the award scheme which overlays onto the National Cycling Training Standard. An incentive for young people to gain the appropriate training to be safe on our roads. However this is not limited to young people. Adults can also take the award scheme or simply undergo the cycling training.
Many adults may remember doing their Cycling Proficiency Test. Bikeability is the Cycling Proficiency Test for 21st Century designed to give the next generation the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on today’s roads.
In spring 2007, the new Bikeability award scheme rolled out across England. To get their Bikeability award, children (and adults) are instructed on how to ride their bikes to the Government-approved National Standard for Cycle Training, which sets out the training and skills essential for making cycling trips in today’s road conditions.
The standard was developed by over 20 organisations and is maintained by the Cycle Training Standards Board. (Members of the CTSB are the UK’s leading bodies in road safety and cycling.
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.
The aim is to increase the numbers of children who receive quality cycle training by qualified instructors and by 2008/9 to ensure that as many as half of year six pupils be trained through schemes awarding Bikeability. The ultimate vision is that within five years no child should leave primary school (in England) without the opportunity to get their Bikeability training.
Do you run Bikeability course?
Yes we running Bikeability courses.
How do I know this course will be safe for my child?
We take the greatest of care to see the clients on our courses are as safe as they possible can be. To ensure this by constant monitoring and assessing each child's riding abilities on Risk Assessed off road and on road areas. Each child has a alumnus tabard on at all times. Emphasis is always made on good observation and if in doubt be safe.
What about wearing a cycling helmet?
Yes wear one! It is very strongly advised for all client and particularly children wear a cycling helmet. It must be in good condition with no cracks or scratches that may cause the helmet to fail. It must fit well.
How do you deal with the different weather conditions we have here?
Good old British weather! We train come rain or shine, but there is some import points to make.
Rain; if there is a thunder storm or there is driving rain that reduces visibility the lesson will be cancelled and a new date arranged. In other wet conditions we continue, but it is important for appropriate clothing to be worn and if you know you are going to have wet clothes then bring spare clothes.
Ice and snow; We do not go out and the lesson is re-scheduled. However if its above freezing then we do go out and all clients must wear appropriate clothing to keep them warm, including gloves.
High winds; This may lead the instructor to cancel the lesson and re-scheduled.
Sun; (We wish). Hot days will mean you will need to bring water and sun block cream.
Are you covered if there is an incident or crash on the course?
All our instructors have Cycling Touring Club (CTC) insurance and Provider Public Liability insurance.
Is there a procedure you follow if there is an incident?
Yes. we have a clearly defined incident procedure which includes reporting to Health and Safety Executive in the event of serious injury and near misses.
How do you know what type of training is appropriate for me?
All clients will undergo Level 1 of the National Standard as a prerequisite for Level 2 and/or Level 3 of the Standard. During this time the instructor can assess the type of training/course level required for the clients cycling skills.
Where is the training going to take place?
Level 1 training is always done in a traffic free area that has been risk assessed by an accredited trainer.
Level 2 and 3 will be on the road with other road traffic with each practise locations or routes will have been risk assessed by an accredited trainer.
Who is eligible to have cycle training?
EVERYONE. No age limit. No ability limit. We have a course for everyone. Course Types
How long is it going to take me to learn?
It is very much down to the skill sets already gained by individuals. A level 1 National Standard Cycle course can take up to 3 hours for a complete beginner, 1 1/2 hours for a trainee who can cycle and for trainees who want a refresher it may take only an hour.
Level 2 NSC training taking 6 trainees on a course will take a minimum of 5 x 1½ hours over five weeks, but it is normally longer. It is dependent on how fast the pupil gains the skills required and the ongoing assessments made by the instructor.
Level 3 NSC is a 1 to 1 with an instructor and this will take a minimum of 5 x 1 1/2 hours over five weeks, but again this is very dependent of skill level and is often 7 x 1 1/2 hours. Remember Level 3 is also Level 1 & 2.
Bikeability Level 1 & 2 courses in are 8 to 10 hours and are divided into 2 hour slots run daily or weekly.
More details can be found in the Training link.
How much will it cost me?
Cost off Bikeabilty training to Level 1 & 2 is free for schools.
Cost of National Standard Cycle Training for Level 1 is £25 per hour. Level 2 varies, but we work on a price of £37 per trainee with 6 trainees on a course. Level 3 is £25 per hour.