National Standards
The National Standards for Cycle Training
The National Standards for Cycle Training sets out the training and skills essential for making cycling trips in today's road conditions. The standard developed by over 20 organisations and maintained by the custodian body for cycle training, the Cycle Training Standards Board (CTSB).
Members of the CTSB are the UK's leading bodies in road safety and cycling. By establishing National Standards, the Government is setting out a nationwide uniform programme of formal training ,which will reassure parents in particular, that young people wanting to cycle have been instructed in the essential skills and procedures wherever they may live.
There are three National Standard levels:
Level 1 is usually covered in a traffic free environment. Those completing Level 1 will be able to demonstrate the skills and understanding to be able to make a trip and undertake activities safely in a motor traffic free environment and as a pre-requisite to a road trip.
Level 2 is covered on quiet roads but with real traffic conditions. Those completing Level 2 will be able to demonstrate the skills and understanding to be able to make a trip safely to school, work or leisure on quiet roads
Level 3 is covered on busy roads incorporating real traffic conditions and advanced road features. Those completing Level 3 will be able demonstrate the skills and understanding to be able to make a trip safely to school, work or leisure on busy roads and using complex junctions and road features.
For more information on each of the three levels click on the links to the left of this page.
Bikeability and The National Standards
In September 2006, Cycling England launched Bikeability, (the new cycling proficiency for the 21st Century) as the Award Scheme for cyclists trained to The National Cycle Training Standard. The Bikeability badge will be a worthy successor to the old cycling proficiency scheme, updated for today?s world.
The launch marked the start of the gearing-up phase involving more than 5,000 children across eight regions; Merseyside, Exeter, Essex, Cornwall, Isle of Wight, London Borough of Kingston, Manchester and Hertfordshire. During this period nearly 10,000 badges were awarded.
The most important aspect of the gearing up phase was to gather information in order to enable a smooth and successful national roll-out. Extensive in-depth interviews were undertaken with children, parents, teachers, scheme organisers, providers and instructors. From this research, materials and the method of their distribution were further improved; and the research indicated that:
- 83% of training organisers and instructors saw an increase in the number of children cycling to school
- 67% of children were cycling more after taking part
- 71% of teachers had more confidence in children cycling on roads post Bikeability training
- 60% of parents felt more confident with their children cycling on the roads
- All of the teachers and parents surveyed agreed that Bikeability training is necessary for today?s children
Download the full Gearing up report on the Cycling England website www.cyclingengland.co.uk/bikeability.phpwww.cyclingengland.co.uk/bikeability.php
The start of the National Roll-Out of Bikeability across England will take place from April 2007. All providers of cycle training, from local authorities to independent trainers, will be able to participate in the Bikeability award scheme. Bikeability will be a mark of quality and commitment to teaching an important life-skill, and will become a nationally recognised scheme.
To give out Bikeability badges and certificates to your trained cyclists, you must first ensure that:
- your training scheme meets the National Cycle Training Standard and
- your instructors have been trained and accredited to this Standard
Bikeability - Accreditation
To ensure that schemes awarding Bikeability badges are of a consistent and high quality, the Department for Transport and Cycling England have worked with the Cycle Training Standards Board to manage a simple checklist process. This will register and formally accredit each scheme.
For further information about accrediting schemes, visit the Cycling England website www.cyclingengland.co.uk/bikeability.php
If you are unsure whether your scheme already meets the National Standard, or do not have a National Standard cycle training provision at all, there is a “ready made” course and step-by-step guide available free of charge. It explains both how to train to The National Standard and what is required by way of standard documentation so that you can deliver the Bikeability award scheme.
Click here to download the “ready made” Bikeability course
