Bikeability

It has been developed by Cycling England and the Department for Transport (DfT) and is supported by a huge range of organisations including the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), RoSPA, and the Department of Health. It is underpinned by the Government's National Standard for Cycle Training.

There are three levels:

Level one will offer basic bike handling skills in a controlled environment away from roads.

Level two will teach children to cycle planned routes on minor roads offering real cycling experience.

Level three will ensure cyclists are able to manage all traffic conditions.

It must be delivered by qualified 'National Cycle Training Standard' instructors and training schemes must be Bikeability registered to participate.

How do I get Bikeability in my school?

Many Local Authorities now support Bikeability so it's worth contacting yours to see if they can work with you to provide training. Cycling England also provides funding for Bikeability through School Sports Partnerships so it's worth contacting your local School Sports Coordinator or Partnership Development Manager to find out if they are interested.

Bikeability and special needs

Most children with special needs will be able to undertake the training with their peers. Currently, work is being undertaken to develop specific modules of the National Standard to cater for young people who need additional training provision.

Bikeability in your area

Bikeability is rolling out across the country and so it will not be available everywhere immediately.

There are now many Bikeability schemes across the country and more are registering all the time. To find out where your nearest scheme is please visit the Bikeability Near You section.

Get ahead with a school cycling policy

Bikeability is the key to getting kids cycling but it works best when supported by a range of other measures. One of the best ways of raising the profile of cycling in your school is to create a cycling policy.

You could form a cycling policy working group comprising of a member of the senior management team, a governor, children and parents.

Your cycling policy could form an integral element of your School Travel Plan (STP).

The Government will award a grant to English state schools that implement a STP to help fund measures identified in the plan. This could include things like cycle parking and lockers. Details are available from local authority school travel advisers.

A cycling policy can also help you achieve the key themes of the Healthy School Standard:

PSHE

Healthy eating

Physical activity

Emotional health and well-being

Getting started

Audit the views of the school community, including parents and staff.

Audit the school's cycling facilities (storage, safe routes etc) and make a list of possible improvements.

Assess the barriers to cycling to school.

Set some targets such as an percentage increase in the number of children cycling to school.

Facilitate Bikeabilty training for older Key Stage 2 children.

Integrate cycling and health into your PE and PSHE teaching.

Run a special event such as a cycling awareness evening.