Cycling is fun, keeps us fit and helps keep the air we breathe cleaner.

This course is designed to be a fun prelude to the Year 5 Safer Cycling Course. The children involved will not yet be independently riding on the roads.

By improving skills such as balance, coordination and ability to ride with one hand off the bars, the children will become more proficient cyclists. These skills are a vital step towards mastering safer on-road cycling in later years.

Children will also be encouraged to discuss safety issues, and consider basic bike maintenance.

The course is designed to be fun , and encourages children to become actively involved.

Each June we will ask all primary schools to let us know approximately how many children wish to take part in the next school year. From this we prioritise schools, based on when they last received training, and arrange suitable dates.

The course is most effective when it is part of an on going programme of road safety education.

Who can take part?
How does the course work?
What do the children get?
What does the school need to provide?

A maximum of 20 children can take part in each course. These children should already be able to ride a bike (they can use stabilisers or a trike if this is what they are used to). Each child needs a bike that is in a road worthy condition. Parents are responsible for providing this. We also advise that children wear a cycle helmet, but this is not compulsory.

A bike check is included in the training, and tutors may not allow children to continue if they consider that the bike will put them at risk.

We recommend that children in Year 3 are offered this training.

If more than 20 children want to take part, it may be possible to run a second course. Speak to the Road Safety Officer if this applies to your school.

Once dates have been arranged the Road Safety Unit (RSU) will provide the school with consent forms and information for parents. The consent forms must be returned to the RSU by the date specified. Only those children whose forms have been returned will be allowed to take part.

Each course lasts for 1½ hours. During this time the training takes place in the playground. It consists of a series of practice sessions followed by “challenges” to test the skills learned.

The course is delivered by trained tutors who work with 10 children each. A member of staff from the school is required to supervise– this can either be a classroom assistant or a teacher.

If you would like a copy of the risk assessment, or further details, contact the Road Safety Officer.

At the end of the course each child will be given a certificate of attendance and a “goody bag”.

What does the school need to provide?

Training is provided free of charge, but the school is responsible for the following :

• The school is responsible for returning the official consent form to the Road Safety Unit

• A member of staff at the school must be available to help supervise the course

• Access to the playground is required

• At the end of the session the tutors require access to a classroom / staff room
   to complete their paper work

• The school is responsible for maintaining good behaviour and discipline