Cycle training

Cycle training in schools

It is expected that the demand for cycling will grow as new networks of cycle trails develop throughout the country. Therefore by changing the way we travel by increasing the amount of people walking and cycling, will improve our lives in the future. It is Plymouth City Council’s Road Safety Team aim to encourage young cyclists in becoming safer road users by training them from an early age. The Road Safety Team provides the following courses:

Cycle skills course

This course is aimed at pupils aged 8 years and over and consists of three sessions of about 1 hour based in the playground. It is designed to cover the following areas:

• bicycle safety check
• bicycle control
• personal safety/helmets/clothing
• awareness of hazards

Pupils who complete the course receive a certificate and can go on to take the on-road training when they are ten years old.

On road cycle course

This course is aimed at pupils aged 10 to 11 years and is conducted on-road over six sessions. Pupils are assessed weekly and receive a certificate of attendance. Each child attending must be able to ride with good balance and control. The course is designed to cover the following areas:

• hazard awareness
• risk management
• personal safety
• basic manoeuvring
• highway code

Pathfinders course

The course is aimed at pupils in secondary schools and includes planning and riding around Plymouth and the local area. The course is in two parts, theory and practical. There is a choice of cycle rides of 10 or 20 miles depending on experience. The course is designed to cover the following areas:

• enhancement of riding skills
• identification of safer cycling routes
• hazard perception
• risk management
• highway code

All our cycle courses are run by volunteers, who gain a sense of satisfaction and pride in knowing they are helping to improve the children’s awareness of safer cycling.

How do I become an instructor?

You can attend a free half day training course which will include teaching methods, how to organise a course, hazard awareness and safer cycling techniques. An Instructors' Handbook will be provided. All you need to bring is a bicycle and a cycle helmet. Once registered as an approved volunteer cycling instructor, you will be issued with a certificate which is valid for three years.

You will be covered by Plymouth City Council’s public liability insurance. Attending a training course does not commit you to becoming an instructor but we find the majority of attendees leave us keen to start training. The instructors are assisted by helpers on a ratio of one to every four cyclists which ensures close supervision and visual contact at all times. Please use the form below if you are interested in becoming a volunteer cycle instructor.

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks

You will need to go through the process of being checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) before you start instructing at a school.

If you would like cycle training for your children

If you want cycle training for your children, please contact your child's school in the first instance. Ideally, children should be trained in groups of ten. The school should contact the Road Safety Team to establish if there is a trained instructor in their area or complete the cycle training enquiry form which is available to download below.

If you would like more information on cycle training, please contact the Road Safety Officer on 304316 or email roadsafety@plymouth.gov.uk.

Complete the form if you would like to undertake cycle training at your school or organisation.

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