Cycle Training
This part of the site will help you find out about the wide variety of cycle training that is available today.
From training children to take those first steps (or should it be “pedals”) on their bike to very advanced mountain bike riding.
There are even courses to learn how to keep your bike in top condition.
Free Family Cycle Training
If you would like to get on on the bikes with the family but are not sure how to ride the roads or wher you could go for a ride out then this may be for you. Swindon BUG has secured funding to enable us to offer free training to ten families on low incomes. If you think your family would benefit from 5 hours of free training this summer please contact Lew lawton on 01793 763162 for more details. If you are not on a low income we can still offer this training on a pay as you train basis with our National Standard Cycle Trainers, all of whom are fully qualified, insured and CRB checked
Across the UK the most popular form of cycle training today is Bikeability. This is the Government recommended and funded cycle training scheme. So, Young or old, if you're thinking about getting on your bike, why not complete your Bikeability?
It's fun and gives you the skills and confidence to cycle in modern road conditions just as these Highworth children found out on their Level 2 bikeability course.
Bikeability is delivered in 3 stages.
Level 1 teaches the basic, but necessary cycle control skills to ensure you can get on, pedal, balance, steer and stop your bike. It is generally done in a couple of hours on a site with no traffic (e.g a school playground). Level 2 teaches the road skills necessary to ride on quiet low traffic condition roads. As you would expect it covers starting off, stopping, Right and Left Turns. Where applicable it will also include how to use cycle paths and cycle lanes crossroads and mini-roundabouts. On your course you will also learn how to check that your bike is safe, how to carry stuff safely on your bike and other stuff about lights and reflectors. You can expect a level 2 course to take between 6 and 8 hours. Typically a course will have 5 or 6 trainees to one instructor Level 3 is there to equip cyclists to deal with any type of road that they are legally allowed to ride on. Generally you will work with an instructor on a 1:1 basis. With your help your instructor will assess your current level of ability. You will tell him about the real journeys you wish to make (ride to work, ride to the gym, ride to evening classes etc ) and then your instructor will explain and demonstrate how to negotiate the roads required. Typically you will ride these routes with the your instructor behind you helping you learn and gain the confidence you need to make these journeys on your own. It is important to note that all Bikeability Instructors are keen regular cyclists who have been specially trained to deliver a National Standard of Cycle Training and to pass on their cycling experience to trainees. To find out more about bikeability visit the bikeability web site .
FOR CHILDREN
Bikeability Training
Bikeability training is delivered in some schools in Swindon by Cycling Now whose professional instructors are also available to teach families and small groups. For more details visit the Cycling Now web site. Cycling now Instructors regularly deliver Bikeabilty courses at schools in Wiltshire, West Berkshire and Reading areas
If your primary school is in Wiltshire then they are probably able to offer Bikeability training for Year 6. for more information on what is available call the school or speak to someone at Wiltshire Road Safety.
Cycling Proficiency
Swindon Borough Council provides Cycling Proficiency courses to year 6 children in Swindon. Ask at your school for more details or go to the SBC web site for more information.
School Holiday Cycling Courses in Swindon
2009 saw the first highly successful school holiday cycling courses being delivered in Swindon. Cycling Now, offered courses of up to 5 days for children between 11 and 16. The courses included Bikeability to Level 2, Cycle orienteering, basic bike maintennce and some off road skills. Everyone who took part enjoyed it; some children even came back for more. Cycling Now is currently developing its 2010 program but you can register your interest by emailing Cycling Now
Cycling now is also able to offer free cycle training to families on low incomes. To find out if you qualify for this free training or to find out more about training your family as a group, contact Cycling Now
TRAINING FOR ADULTS
Many adults are now considering the benefits of cycling.
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Cycle journeys cost less than car journeys
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Bike parking is normally free. (Though look out for details of a secure parking scheme for Swindon soon)
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Bikeability cycle training is designed to be practical, rather than theoretical and give you the real skills you need to make your way safely on the road on two wheels.
Private Tuition
Professionally qualified instructors are available from Cycling Now or the national database of cycling instructors. You should ensure that your instructor is qualified and insured. The CTC maintains a list of qualified instructors on the instructors listing page.
Public Courses
Public cycle training courses are available. Choose from:
The Cycle for Health project
Cycling through the years - free lessons for the over 50s.
Contact Gladys Barr or Anna Cipullo on 01793 617782 for more information.
Mountain Bike training courses are generally available in the mountain biking locations throughout the country. One good source of information is the CTC web site
Don't forget you can enjoy the skills trails built by volunteers in Croft Country Park. There are two routes, Blue and red. The blue routes is a recommended starter and taster for those who have little or no off road experience whilst the red route offers some more tricky and difficult challenges. Please take heed of the advice posted on the Swindon MTB web site which is repeated here :
Remember that mountain biking is, like all sports, potentially dangerous so please do take care, ensure your bike is properly maintained and wear appropriate safety clothing/helmet.
Keep an eye on this section as we hope that basic cycle maintenance courses will be available soon.
Instructor and Professional Training
If you are interested in becoming a cycling instructor, there are several types of course available.
The following organisations offer National Standard Instructor training courses: Wiltshire Road Safety. CTUK (in London), Life cycle (in Bristol), Kingston Council (Greater London), British Cycling (UK Wide).
