Are you just starting to commute to work or does your workplace want to boost their Green Travel Plan ?
Please get in touch to discuss what we would be able to offer ..... A course is available combining road cycling skills with basic maintenance, this is the best way to get to really know your bike and use it to the maximum..

Individuals and groups up to twelve are catered for- please ring or email for a quote and to talk through your needs.

The rest of this page is a detailed account of the National Standards for Cycle Training, so if you would like to learn all the aspects covered please read on .....

We are able to offer courses in cycle handling and road riding to all age groups.

Cycling England has just introduced Bikeability, a professional cycle training scheme to teach the National Cycling Standards, along with their flagship Cycling Demonstration Towns. Both initiatives designed to get more people cycling , more safely, more often.

Q.Who is the cycle training aimed at ?

A. 1. Absolute beginners of any age - cycle skills and control teaching for children and adults, the emphasis being on fun and getting fine control of steering, brakes and gears. Building confidence !

A. 2. Children in later years at primary school or early secondary to help them get on their bikes to school.

A. 3. Families -  cycling is a good way for the whole family to ghet exercise and spend time together.

A. 4. You want to cycle to work - we will help you find a good route and give you the tools to cycle confidently on the roads to work.

A. 5. People whose work involves cycling - messengers, rickshaw owners, etc. Insurances require the qualification.

Our instructors have CRB checks, Appointed Person First Aid qualifications and insurance from the CTC.

Bikeability is the name for  the modern scheme to teach the new National Standards . It is replacing the original Cycling Proficiency Test.

Bikeability is an outcome based teaching programme, each level building upon the previous level.

We are able to offer cycling training to National Standards for all ages. The National Standards syllabus consists of three levels that progress a cyclist from basic control skills:
Level 1- starting, stopping, emergency stopping, gears, looking behind and signalling
Level 2, on-road riding using quiet roads
Level 3.  riding on busy roads including multi-lane filtering techniques and busy roundabouts,

What the instructor must do to meet The National Standard:

1. Know the likely requirements of clients requiring Level 2 training
2. Have assessed the needs of clients individually and have a programme of training to achieve each Level. 
3. Know methods, techniques and exercises to deliver the each Level  training
4. Be able to train in both the theory and practice of cycling as required by clients
5. Demonstrate all skills and activities
6. Be able to give feedback on progress towards each Level  standards
7. Assess achievement of standard by a variety of approaches

The objectives of Level 1 training are:

• Cycling is introduced as an enjoyable, healthy activity that the vast majority of people can enjoy
• Nervous clients should be relaxed on their cycles and be enthused about progressing to Level 2 and making their first on-road cycle trips
• Clients will be able to control their cycle competently, confidently and consistently - the three C's - through a series of cycle manoeuvres
• Any obviously unsafe behaviours or habits will have been addressed by the instructor
• Clients will be introduced to their cycle, how it operates, how it is used and how it should be looked after

The instructor will train you in the following:

• 1A Get on and off the bike without help
• 1B Start off and pedal without help
• 1C Stop without help
• 1D Ride along without help for roughly one minute or more
• 1E Make the bike go where they want
• 1F Use their gears
• 1G Stop quickly with control
• 1H Manoeuvre safely to avoid objects
• 1I Look all around, including behind, without wobbling
• 1J Signal right and left without wobbling
• 1K Carry out a simple bike check

By the end of the training programme clients will be able to make the manoeuvres outlined above as a pre-requisite to a road trip.

The objectives of Level 2 training are:

• Cycling is developed as an enjoyable, healthy activity that enables people to make short local journeys
• The client may select a specific journey such as a trip to work, leisure or school locations that can be made regularly
• At the end of a programme of Level 2 training clients should enjoy taking cycle trips on a variety of roads and cycle path
• Nervous clients should be relaxed on their cycles and in the company of traffic and be enthused about progressing to Level 3 and cycling in wide range of road conditions
• Clients will be able to control their cycle competently, confidently and consistently - the three C's - through a series of cycle manoeuvres on lightly trafficked roads
• Any obviously unsafe behaviours or habits will have been addressed by the instructor. Clients will be taught not to ride on pavements

The instructor will train you in the following:

• 2A All Level 1 manoeuvres
• 2B Start an on-road journey
• 2C Finish an on-road journey
• 2D Be aware of everything around them, including behind, as they ride
• 2E Understand how and when to signal their intentions to other road users
• 2F Understand where to ride on the roads they are using
• 2G Pass parked or slower moving vehicles
• 2H Pass side roads
• 2I Turn right into a major road and left into a minor road
• 2J Turn left into a major road and right into a minor road
• 2K Be able to take the correct carriageway lane when they need to
• 2L Decide where cycle lanes can help their journey and demonstrate correct use (if cycle lanes can be incorporated within the training)
• 2M Explain why they have made decisions during riding and thereby demonstrate understanding of safe riding strategy
• 2N Demonstrate a basic understanding of the Highway Code, in particular how to interpret road signs
• 2O Demonstrate an understanding of safety equipment and clothing

You will also be trained in:

• Different types of cycle and their purpose
• Keeping a bicycle roadworthy
• Clothing for cycling (including relevant safety equipment)
• Relevant accessories

Level 3 - Advanced cycle training

This programme is for those who have completed Levels 1 & 2, or those who have been cycling regularly on off-road and quiet roads but still lack confidence in busier more complex traffic conditions. Alongside the teaching of more advanced manoeuvres, clients will also have an opportunity to review and polish techniques taught in earlier courses. The purpose of Level 3 training is different to Levels 1 and 2 - instructors will now be asking clients where they want to go on cycle journeys, and equipping them to set out with confidence rather than just teaching cycling skills. As well as the traffic manoeuvres, additional training is available on the other elements that make up a journey such as carrying luggage.

The objectives of Level 3 training are:

• The client may select a specific journey such as a trip to work leisure or school locations that can be made regularly
• At the end of a programme of Level 3 training clients should enjoy taking cycle trips on a variety of roads and be developing a variety of trips
• They will have learned techniques for moving fluidly through traffic and moving more efficiently than congested vehicles
• Clients will be able to control their cycle competently, confidently and consistently - the three C's - through as series of cycle manoeuvres on roads
• Cycling is developed as an enjoyable, healthy activity that enables people to make journeys through a wide variety of traffic conditions

Experienced cyclists at levels 1 and 2 will have to significantly develop their skills to complete a Level 3 course. In particular, they will have to plan on road journeys for themselves. The instructor will recognise when less confident clients are uncomfortable and need additional coaching.

What the instructor is required to do:

1. Know the likely requirements of clients requiring Level 3 training
2. Have assessed the needs of clients individually and have a programme of training to achieve Level 3
3. Know methods, techniques and exercises to deliver the Level 3 training
4. Be able to train in both the theory and practice of cycling as required by clients
5. Demonstrate all skills and activities and accompany clients on all trips
6. Be able to give feedback on progress towards Level 3 standards
7. Assess achievement of standard by a variety of approaches

By the end of the course you will be able to carry out all these  manoeuvres, plus those in Level 1 and 2:-

• 3B How to use roundabouts
• 3C How to use junctions controlled by traffic lights
• 3D How to use multi lane roads and turn off into them
• 3E An understanding of filtering and an ability to decide when to filter and when to wait
• 3F How to use both on and off-road cycle facilities
• 3G Hazard perception and strategy to deal with hazards
• 3H An understanding of route planning
• 3I Demonstrate a basic understanding of the Highway Code, in particular how to interpret road signs
• 3J Demonstrate an understanding of safety equipment and clothing
• 3K Different types of cycle and their purpose
• 3L Keeping a bicycle roadworthy
• 3L Relevant accessories

By the end of the training programme, clients will be able to make a trip safely to school, work or leisure on busy roads and using complex junctions and road features.

Bicycle Doctor and Hire Service
CYCLING and MAINTENANCE TUITION

This Agreement is between Bicycle Doctor Cycling Tuition and the undersigned.  It relates to all teaching run by Bicycle Doctor Cycling Tuition from the date given below.

My name (BLOCK CAPITALS please)

......................................................................................................................


I accept that Bicycle Doctor and Hire Service will not be liable for any injury or loss suffered by me except in the following circumstances: Death or personal injury caused by the negligence of Bicycle Doctor and Hire Service.

Bicycle Doctor and Hire Service has advised me to wear a cycle helmet, reflective tabard and cycling gloves and also protective workshop clothing, gloves, goggles and ear protectors.  Should I choose to ignore this advice, Bicycle Doctor and Hire Service will not be held liable for any injury that may arise from taking this decision.

I undertake to make instructors aware of any medical condition that may affect my safety, the safety of others, or the training outcome.

I accept that instructors may refuse to train me on the grounds of unacceptable behaviour, or if my ability level is deemed unsuitable.

I understand that the outcome of this training does not necessarily make me a proficient and safe cyclist or cycle mechanic.  My abilities will depend on further practising of the skills learnt during Bicycle Doctor and Hire Service Tuition sessions.

I understand that my personal details may be passed to any organisation paying for my training, together with details of the lessons.


Signed..........................................................Date............................................

Address....................................................... Post Code………………………………………….

Tel No..........................................................Mobile..........................................

E.mail address.................................................................................................

Date of Birth...............................Specify medical condition..................................

Next of Kin...................................................Contact tel no.................................

Reasons for cycle tuition: (Please underline)

Physical fitness / Mental well-being /  Pleasure  / Cheap transport / Commuting

Other reasons (please specify) ...........................................................................