Level 1 - The basic skills of riding a bike
The basic skills are taught off public roads and give the less confident cyclist a chance to practice in a traffic free environment.
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
What you must do to meet The National Standard:
- Know the likely requirements of clients requiring Level 1 training
- Have assessed the needs of clients individually and have a programme of training to achieve Level 1
- Know methods, techniques and exercises to deliver the Level 1 training
- Be able to train in both the theory and practice of cycling
- Demonstrate all skills and activities
- Be able to give feedback on progress towards Level 1 standards
- Assess achievement by a variety of methods
You must demonstrate that you can train and assess clients to:
- 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.
You must also carry out additional training in:
- Different types of cycle and their purpose
- Keeping a bicycle roadworthy
- Clothing for cycling (including relevant safety equipment)
- Relevant accessories
You must demonstrate by your work that you have been trained to take Level 1 clients with both basic skills and some experience, male/female and different ages.
Remember that teaching styles will have to be modified to reflect the particular needs of adults and teenagers but the essential contents are the same whatever your client group.
Level 1 Course Content
Click here to download Level 1 Course Content and examples of best practice training material
