Cycle Training for Adults and Children
Cycle training for adults
‘Cycling Proficiency’ is now called the National Standard is a comprehensive, three level cycling training scheme that puts making a journey at the heart of the training.
The cycling proficiency test was developed by the CTC in the 1930s before being taken over by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) after WWII. By the 1970s, courses were run by schools and local authorities, with varying standards of, er, proficiency.
Cycling was often portrayed as dangerous, the trainers were often motorists not cyclists and ‘real world’ traffic never got a look in. The ‘training’ was more about weaving in and out of road cones than dealing with motorized traffic.
In 2003, the National Standard for Cycle Training was launched by cycling bodies, led by CTC.
Cycle training for children
This government-funded scheme teaches children – and adults – on-road skills as well as bike handling. By training cyclists to a recognized and nationally cohesive standard, CTC believes cycling will be “normalized as a means of transport.” The three-level National Standard will also “profesionalise the sector,” believe CTC.
LEVEL ONE
Off road instruction focusing on bicycle handling skills and basic manoeuvres.
LEVEL TWO
On road training incorporating simple junctions in moderately built up areas.
LEVEL THREE
On road training involving complex junctions, making journeys and route planning. Here is more info on the National Standard and here are more cycle training links on Bikeforall.
YOU COULD BE A TRAINER
Thanks to funding from Cycling England, CTC can offer bursaries of £300 to those wishing to become an accredited National Standard instructor.Tel: 0870 607 0415