Bikeability - Years 5 & 6
29 Nov 2021
We have an extension until after Christmas for the return of the forms. Please let me know this morning if you would like me to print them off for you. We need a minimum of 8 students to run this course so please send the forms back as soon as possible or it will not go ahead.
Bikeability /National Standard Course
26th & 27th Jan
Forms (See end of article) to be completed and returned by Friday 10th December to confirm a place on the course.
Dear Parent / Guardian,
Bikeability courses will be running at your school in January 2022 for Year 5&6 pupils, and your child has the opportunity to take part.
The National Standard for Cycle Training / Bikeability, has been introduced by the DFT with the aim of helping more people, cycle more safely, more often. Bikeability provides riders with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to cycle safely on today’s roads. The course is a unique opportunity for your child to improve their understanding of how roads work, and to develop safe and responsible cycling skills. Cycle training can also improve spatial awareness and hazard perception. Further information about this course is available at www.bikeability.org.uk
This two-day course delivered by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) consists of two levels.
Bikeability Level 1. (Morning on the school playground) includes:
helmet and bike check; cycling control skills; starting/stopping; manoeuvring at different speeds; looking behind then signalling left or right without wobbling; correct use of gears.
If the outcomes are successfully completed, the rider can progress to Level 2.
Bikeability Level 2. (One and a half days on local roads) Level 2 is more advanced than Level 1 and includes: starting and stopping on-road; road positioning; passing parked cars; passing junctions; left and right turns from major and minor roads; road and traffic awareness; decision making and hazard perception; understanding rights of way, road markings, and road signs.
At the end of the course. There is no test with Bikeability, levels are awarded when outcomes are completed competently and confidently. All riders will receive either a Level 1 or Level 2 badge /certificate and booklet with all the course information and outcomes, and they will receive a high quality Hi-Vis waistcoat to use on the course, which they can then keep.
Road Safety. NYCC provides experienced, fully qualified cycling Instructors who know the local roads and traffic conditions. When cycling on the road your child will be fully supervised. The roads used during the course are assessed by your local Road Safety Officer to ensure they are suitable for this training.
NYCC COVID-19 prevention measures are adhered to throughout the course.
For your child to take part, you will need to ensure that your child has:
- The ability to ride a cycle. Bikeability is not a course to learn how to cycle, rather it is a starting point for the life skill of safe and responsible on-road cycling.
Therefore Riders must be able to pedal / glide, and have the ability to balance when communicating with traffic. If your child currently cannot do so, it would be very helpful if you could give them opportunity to practice their basic cycling and balance skills before the course starts.
- A roadworthy cycle. The attached checklist should be used to check a cycle prior to the course starting. A child will be unable to take part if the cycle is considered unsafe.
- An approved, well- fitting cycle helmet. Helmets should conform to standards -EN 1078. Damaged helmets, full-face motorbike style helmets, and helmets used for other sporting activities are not suitable.
- Suitable outdoor clothing for cycling. Depending on the weather and the time of year. (Comfortable, warm layered clothing, sensible footwear, coat, waterproofs, sun cream, water, medications). Gloves are highly recommended.
Bikeability Bicycle Check List
Bikeability Parent Consent & Medical Information