To find out how the courses are organised your school should contact the Traffic and Safety Team by email roadsafety@leics.gov.uk
Training in Leicestershire schools
Bikeability is the government’s national cycle training programme. It helps riders learn practical skills and to understand how to cycle on today’s roads. Bikeability gives everyone the confidence to cycle and enjoy this skill for life.
The training is funded by the Department for Transport and delivered to a national syllabus at Leicestershire schools. It aims to equip your child with the skills and confidence to cycle in a safe way.
All training is fully risk assessed and led by a team of qualified cycle instructors, who deliver to the National Standard for Cycle Training and Bikeability cycle training.
The four levels to Bikeability
Riders are usually trained in small groups:
- Learn to Ride and Level 3 is delivered in smaller groups of 3 riders per instructor
- Level 1 is delivered up to 12 riders per instructor
- Level 2 is delivered up to 6 riders per instructor
Learn to Ride
Aimed at children who can balance but have not yet mastered how to pedal (without stabilizers).
Level 1
The Bikeability Level 1 course aims to develop mastery in cycle handling in an off-road environment and prepares riders for cycling on the road.
Criteria: riders must be able to cycle (ie. pedal and glide) to participate in Bikeability Level 1.
Your child will learn to:
- Prepare for a journey
- Check the cycle is ready for a journey
- Set off, pedal, slow down and stop
- Pedal (including looking behind, cycling one handed, turning and controlling speed)
Level 2
The Bikeability Level 2 course aims to develop riders’ skills and confidence for cycling on single-lane roads and simple junctions with mostly moderate traffic flows (where riders encounter vehicles with more frequency, with each module), and prepares riders for cycling on more complex, busier or faster roads and junctions.
Criteria: riders must have fully demonstrated Bikeability Level 1 National Standard assessment criteria before they start Bikeability Level 2 training.
Your child will learn to:
- Cycle safely and responsibly
- Identify and respond to hazards
- Start and stop on-road journeys
- Maintain suitable riding positions
- Share the road with others and communicate with other road users
- Comply with signals, signs and road markings
- Manage risk when cycling
- Negotiate junctions (pass side roads, turn at T junctions, and crossroads and roundabouts if present)
Level 3
The Bikeability level 3 course aims to develop riders’ skills and confidence so they can ride in diverse road environments, including complex, often busy roads and junctions, sometimes with speed limits above 30 mph.
Criteria: successful demonstration of National Standard Level 2 is a prerequisite for participation in Bikeability level 3.
Your child will learn to:
- Plan to ride assertively
- Plan a journey
- Ride assertively
- Ride everywhere cycling is permitted
- Maintain suitable riding positions
- Cooperate with and respect other road users
Courses during school holidays
We also offer parents the option of booking their child directly onto Level 1, 2 or 3 courses (during the holidays). However, please note that your child will need to have completed levels 1 and 2, before qualifying for Level 3.
Course levels are subject to availability – please check Eventbrite for courses:
Book a place for the school holidays
The holiday courses are run as part of school holiday schemes, and are available to book for all school holidays (except Christmas holidays).
All riders receive a certificate and badge for taking part in the Bikeability training.
Pre-course requirements
For your child’s comfort and safety and to make sure they receive the best possible training experience, please read the following pre-course requirements:
Check bikes
Brakes
Must have 2 working brakes! This is a legal requirement for riding on the road and has to be strictly enforced by instructors who check the brakes are working by applying them in turn and rocking the wheels back and forth – there should be no movement. Make sure brake blocks are not loose and are touching the rim of the wheel when applied.
Saddle
Should not move, either up or down or side to side.
Tyres/wheels
Both tyres should be fully inflated and in good condition (ie. no cracks or splits or worn out tread). Wheel nuts should be tight – if fitted with quick release levers they should be firmly closed.
Chain and pedals
Chain should be lubricated and not dry or brown or rusty. Pedals should spin freely on spindles.
Handlebars
Stand with the front tyre gripped between your legs and try and turn the handlebars from side to side – they should not move independently of the wheel. Handlebar ends should be fitted with plugs so no bare metal is exposed.
If you're not sure about any aspect of bike checking, any local bike shop will be able to carry out a basic safety check as described above, though there may be a fee for this service. In addition, there's this helpful video by The Bikeability Trust on how to check a cycle:
Check helmets
It is a condition of your child receiving Leicestershire County Council Bikeability training that a helmet must be worn (unless religious or cultural exemptions apply).
Helmets
Should be in good condition with no cracks or splits and an appropriate size for the wearer.
Side buckles
Should be adjusted to sit just below each ear.
Chin strap
Should be able to fit two fingers only, between strap and chin.
Check clothing
Should be appropriate for current and forecast weather. Training will continue in the rain and is very rarely cancelled for bad weather.
In the summer please provide sun cream and a drink, while in the autumn and winter, gloves are essential – cold hands means brakes become difficult to operate and may result in your child being unable to complete training.
Leggings, tracksuit bottoms or shorts are best – baggy trousers can catch in chains.
Your child will be provided with a high-viz vest to wear during the training.
Shoes
Flat soled with tread or grip – trainers or plimsolls are good, smooth soled school shoes are not appropriate.
Instructors will carry out a check of bikes, helmets and clothing before a course starts. They may make minor adjustments for comfort and safety, but cannot carry out repairs or maintenance.
If a bike is not in the condition described above, then in the interests of themselves and the wider group your child will not be able to participate in training.
Medical conditions
If your child has any medical conditions or medication that you consider will impact on this training, then it is your responsibility to inform the Bikeability Team.