Faqs
Bikeability - All your questions answered
Want to know what Bikeability is all about and what it means for you? Check out the FAQs relevant to you below.
FAQs – Cycle training scheme organisers and instructors
FAQ'S – GENERAL
How does Bikeability promote health and safety?
Does Bikeability encourage respect for other road-users and sticking to the Highway Code?
What is the National Cycle Training Standard?
There are three levels to Bikeability - do children have to do any/all of them?
At what age can my child start the training?
Will Bikeability cater for children with special needs?
Is Bikeability available in my area / my school?
If Bikeability is not available in my area, when will it be?
How much will the Bikeability awards cost?
What if my child has missed out on this training in year 6, can they get it later?
My child has already done National Standard training – do they get a badge?
My child has lost their badge. Can I have another one?
My child has done their level 2, can they cycle to school?
Will children need a special bike or other equipment?
My child's head teacher won't allow cycling to school, is there anything I can do?
My school does not have adequate bike storage / cannot store their bike safely. What can I do?
I/my family already cycle. What does Bikeability mean to us?
I'm interested in becoming a cycling instructor. What should I do?
Is Bikeability available outside England?
Q. Why is Bikeability important?
Bikeability is Cycling Proficiency for the 21st Century. It provides appeal and incentive for children and parents alike to undertake quality cycle training to ride safely and well on today's roads. Cycle training is the vital life-skill required before 'more children cycling, more safely, more often' can become a reality, and all the associated benefits of a new generation of young people cycling can be realised - including better health and fitness for cyclists and less congestion for us all.
Q. How does Bikeability promote health and safety?
Cycling promotes good health and longer life. Any risks associated with cycling for both children and adults are far outweighed by the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. Growing levels of inactivity directly increases the likelihood of illnesses such as coronary heart disease, which now kills more than more than 100,000 people in England every year.
Cycling for at least 30 minutes a day gives people a level of fitness equivalent to being 10 years younger. In terms of life-years gained and lost, the Government acknowledges that the health benefits of cycling far outweigh any risks involved – by a factor of 20:1 according to information provided by CTC, the UK's national cyclists' organisation.
The National Standard for Cycle Training, which underpins Bikeability, has been designed by the leading experts in the field of road safety as well as cycling. It is designed on similar principles to lessons for motorcycle riders and car drivers, assessing the likely risks and obstacles faced by cyclists at each stage of their development and created training that encourages them to make their journeys with the skills to manage these risks as far as is practicable.
The information accompanying each level of the award gives clear advice to both children and parents on what trips the child is trained to make following their training, parents are then encouraged to give the child as much practice as possible to keep their skills fresh and build experience. The daily journey to school is ideal for this.
Q. Who recognises the award? Which organisations?
A. Bikeability is the only Government approved and nationally recognised award for cycle training today. The standard developed by over 20 organisations and maintained by the professional body for cycle training, the Cycle Training Standards Board. For more information visit www.ctsb.org.uk.
Q. Does Bikeability encourage respect for other road-users and sticking to the Highway Code?
A. Yes. Sharing road space is an essential skill for all road users from pedestrians to drivers. Cycle training is an essential part of making the transition from using traffic free places and shared routes to travelling on the carriageway. The National Standards are designed to encourage cyclists to cycle safely on the road and to obey all road signs and signals. The government believes Bikeability is an important step in ensuring young road users obtain the relevant skills and knowledge from an early age and will encourage a long term climate of respect between users regardless of what transport choices they make in the future.
Q. What is the National Cycle Training Standard?
A. The National Standard for Cycle Training sets out the skills needed for cyclists to be competent and confident using their bikes for all sorts of journeys. Building on the experience of cycling proficiency the National Cycle Training Standard has been developed by over 20 expert organisations in response to public demand for a modern, nationwide scheme that caters for today's road conditions. The Standard is a progressive scheme that moves through three levels to give parents the reassurance that their children have the necessary skills and confidence to cycle at each stage of their development and particularly to cycle to school.
Q. There are three levels to Bikeability - do children have to do any/all of them?
A. No, this is not on the national curriculum and is not compulsory. However, we expect the vast majority of families will to want the take advantage of the training, and the Government is committed to giving young people the skills they need to lead active lives in the future.
The priority for government is to help children make the regular trips in their daily lives easily and healthily. Level 2 of the National Standard has been designed around shorter trips made by older primary school children, while level 3 is aimed at secondary pupils and adults who are expanding the range of their activities and will want to travel more widely. The government's current strategy is to focus its funding on level 2 of the National Standard, which has been designed to enable children to cycle to school on quieter roads.
Q. At what age can my child start the training?
A. Children start learning the skills of Bikeability as soon as they ride a bike. It provides a useful guide for parents about the essential skills needed. Assessment for the level 1 award is designed for children aged up to 9 when they start to cycle on off-road facilities or when supervised by adults, while level 2 training is usually offered to children aged 10 – 11 years old (in school years 5 or 6), allowing them to put their new skills into action on the school trip and riding with parents.
Level 3 training is aimed at older children and adults who want to travel freely in a wide range of conditions and when they are likely to do longer journeys and seek independence.
Q. Will Bikeability cater for children with special needs?
A. Yes. Any young person who undertakes a cycle training scheme based on the National Cycle Training Standard would be able to work towards achieving their Bikeability awards. Most special needs children 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. Once these are completed and tested then nationally accredited instructors will be able to teach these modules (perhaps with additional training themselves). Modules will be determined for each of the three levels and a child completing such a module would achieve the appropriate Bikeability award.
Q. Is Bikeability available in my area / my school?
Bikeability is rolling out across the country and so it will not be available everywhere immediately.
Many local authorities will begin to offer Bikeability training as the scheme rolls out and this is often provided through local schools. It is also possible that Bikeability training will be available directly from your school, if they are part of a participating School Sports Partnership (a partnership of local schools who work together on sport and physical activities.) For more information about whether Bikeability is in your area yet click on the Bikeability Near You map.
There is also a network of independent National Standard cycle training providers who would be able to train your child privately. Details of all National Standards providers are also available on the Bikeability website.
The important thing is that Bikeability can only be delivered by quality instructors accredited to the National Standards. This gives you the confidence that your child is receiving quality training to the right standard giving them the skills and confidence to cycle safely and well.
Q. If Bikeability is not available in my area, when will it be?
Cycling England's aim is that within five years no child should leave primary school without having the opportunity to do their Bikeability. We will work very hard towards achieving this aim, working with local authorities, schools and cycle trainers. If Bikeability is not yet available in your area or in your child's school then this does not mean it will never be available.
Over the next two years, funding is being provided to give an extra 100,000 children the accredited training, for which the Bikeability badge may be awarded. The Bikeability website will have regular updates on the schools and local authorities who are participating — check out the Bikeability Near You map.
Q. How much does training cost?
A. This will vary between local authorities. There is already an extensive range of cycle training in England mainly funded by local authorities. Some do provide child cycle training entirely free, while others operate subsidised schemes — often to enable more children to be trained.
The DfT's new grant of £5million per year to support Cycling England's 'Young People' programme will be invested in getting more children trained to the National Standard than ever before. It will allow those local authorities already adopting this training to increase their numbers of trainers, and others to get started. Special consideration will be given to children in deprived areas, and with the help and advice of the DCFS, certain schools will be able to offer training free. In addition, there are many independent providers willing to train adults as well as children who offer training schemes at competitive rates. A series of lessons to achieve level 2 of the Standard would typically cost £40 - £60.
Q. How much will the Bikeability awards cost?
A. The award itself costs only a few pounds. In order that the award scheme is sustainable and long-lasting, a small charge must be made to cover the costs of materials and Cycling England recommends that the cost of the badge and certificate should be included in the overall cost of the training itself. In those cases where local authorities make a separate charge to parents, we do not anticipate the cost to be more than £2.50 to £3.00
Q. My Local authority / School makes a charge for Bikeability. Why should I have to pay for my child's training / badge?
Cycling is an important life-skill and a right of passage for most children, much like learning to swim. It not only provides additional skill and confidence, but can help to make your child healthier, fitter and happier. An award scheme is an important part of recognising the important achievement and milestone of a child learning to ride safely and well. In order that the award scheme is sustainable and long-lasting, a small charge is necessary to cover the costs of materials or in some cases to cover asmall proportion of the costs of the training itself. We believe that the small cost represents good value for money.
Q. What if my child has missed out on this training in year 6, can they get it later?
It may be still be possible for your child to get trained. As children get older you may also want to consider level 3 training which is more appropriate for older children and will teach them wider skills relevant to secondary school lifestyles.
Q. My child has already done National Standard training – do they get a badge?
A. Children trained to the National Standard in the last six months may be able to get their Bikeability badge retrospectively provided that a record of the training has been kept by the trainer who trained your child. In most cases there will be a small charge to cover the additional cost. In all cases parents should contact the training provider who did the original training as Bikeability will not be able to provide retrospective badge awards centrally.
Q. My child has lost their badge. Can I have another one?
This should not be a problem provided that a record of the training has been kept by the trainer who trained your child. In most cases there will be a charge to cover supplying additional badges. In all cases parents should contact the training provider who did the original training as Bikeability will not be able to provide retrospective badge awards centrally.
Q. My child only got a level 2 badge because our training did levels 1 and 2 together. Can I have a level 1 badge and folder?
This should not be a problem provided that a record of the training has been kept by the trainer who trained your child. In most cases again there will be a small charge to cover the additional cost. In all cases parents should contact the training provider who did the original training as the Bikeability helpline will not be able to provide retrospective badge awards centrally.
Q. My child has done their level 2, can they cycle to school?
We recommend children do their Bikeability Levels 1 and 2 before cycling to school. Level 2 is designed to cover trips on quiet roads but with real traffic conditions. Children should work either with their parents, teacher or school travel planner to work out the safest route to school that uses mainly quiet roads with low levels of traffic. In some cases there may already be a safe route to their school. Parents might also consider initially accompanying their child to school.
A. Training is provided by instructors accredited to the National Standard whose qualification has been approved by the Cycle Training Standards Board. Instructors are accredited by approved centres and the training schemes they run are also accredited to meet National Standard outcomes. For more information on the CTSB please visit www.ctsb.org.uk
A. Yes but the Bikeability awards have been designed with mainly children in mind and the funding being put behind these schemes is for developing young cyclists. However the National Standards for Cycle Training are designed for the journeys we make in life, regardless of age. Adults who wish to be trained should contact their local authority. Although some Authorities offer it for free, a fee is likely to be needed.
Q. Will children need a special bike or other equipment?
A. Children do not need any special equipment to learn to cycle. They can use their own clothes and their own bicycle providing it has been checked by a qualified instructor to see whether it is road-worthy. Instructors can help set up and make minor running adjustments, but most instructors are not mechanics so if the cycle needs serious repair they will have to ask you to take it to a bike shop.
While no special clothing or accessories are required, parents, schools and cycle instructors may recommend the use of a cycle helmet. They may also recommend a high visibility tabard for poor conditions, especially when training on the road.
Q. My child's head teacher won't allow cycling to school, is there anything I can do?
Although most people recognise the importance of learning to ride safely and well as a life skill, like learning to cross a road or swim, in a minority of cases some head teachers are worried about the safety of the children in their care. Cycling England has found that in many cases it is possible for a parent / teacher who is prepared to 'champion' cycling for their school to change opinions and make a real difference.
For more information about becoming a cycling champion please visit www.saferoutestoschools.org.uk
Q. My school does not have adequate bike storage / cannot store their bike safely. What can I do?
The security of your child's bicycle is important and Cycling England, the DfT and DCFS recognise the need for secure cycle storage at schools. In many cases grants are available from DCFS as part of your school's travel plan (a plan which all schools must have considering the travel needs of all pupils). Contact your school or local authority to find out if any grant or subsidy is available.
Q. I/my family already cycle. What does Bikeability mean to us?
A. You will already realise the benefits in terms of independence and healthy, low cost mobility that cycling brings to your lives. While you do not have to take a test, and consider yourself a safe cyclist, you may still be able to improve your skills. Like most skills cycling does improve with training and does require practice.
Q. I'm interested in becoming a cycling instructor. What should I do?
A. Please see the National Cycle Training Helpline web site www.ctc.org.uk/cycletraining, or email/call cycletraining@ctc.org.uk or 0870 607 0415 for more information. You may find that you are eligible for a bursary (up to 50% of the cost of the training) to help pay for your training as an accredited trainer of the National Standard programme.
Q. Is Bikeability available outside England?
Cycling is a devolved responsibility. The Bikeability award is only available in England at the moment. There are schemes and instructors who will deliver training to National Standard in Scotland and Wales.
FAQS – LOCAL AUTHORITIES
How does it fit into other policy areas?
How does it fit into other cycling initiatives?
How have local authorities been consulted on this initiative?
Who pays for the cycle training? Is there any funding available?
How can I get involved with Bikeability?
What does the Bikeability Award package comprise?
Is there a charge for accessing / ordering these materials?
Can we charge parents/schools for the badges?
What's a Scheme Organiser Number?
Who controls the quality of the award?
Q. Why is Bikeability important?
Bikeability is the modern form of cycling proficiency updated for the 21st Century. It will provide appeal and incentive for children and parents alike to undertake quality cycle training to ride safely and well on modern roads. Cycle training is the vital lifeskill required before 'more children cycling, more safely, more often' can become a reality, and all the associated benefits of a new generation of young people cycling can be realised - including better health and less congestion.
Q. How does it fit into other policy areas?
Bikeability and 'more children cycling, more safely, more often' contribute to a range of outcomes local authorities are tasked with:
- LTP objectives of reducing pollution and congestion
- Every Child Matters
- School Travel Plans
- The work of School Sport Partnerships
- Road Safety Strategies
- Healthy Schools
Q. How does it fit into other cycling initiatives?
Bikeability is being launched as a major initiative under Cycling England's Young People's programme worth £21 million over 4 years. Cycling England is the national body charged with getting 'more people cycling, more safely, more often'. Please see www.cyclingengland.co.uk for further details of their work.
Q. How have local authorities been consulted on this initiative?
Cycling England set up a Bikeability Steering Group with membership across a wide range of disciplines including the Local Authority Road Safety Officers Association (LARSOA), and the Local Authority Cycling Association (LACA) representing the interests of road safety officers and cycling officers. Research was also undertaken into many of the best local authority cycling award schemes that already exist. The 'gearing up' period between September 2006 and March 2007 was designed to work very closely with a number of local authorities already training to the National Standard with in-depth feedback and evaluation procedures. The results of the pilot phase can be found on the Cycling England website www.cyclingengland.co.uk/bikeability.php
Q. Who pays for the cycle training? Is there any funding available?
Current local authority provision for cyclist training provides lessons for around a third of school children as they pass through years 5 and 6, mainly coming from road safety budgets but extensively supported by additional funds from grants, health budgets, schools budgets and external sources. Many authorities also make a limited charge for child training and fully charge for adult and teenage training which extends their available monies. The launch of Bikeability will not affect these funding streams.
In 2007/8 Cycling England made available a £1.5m cycle training fund, £1.15m of which was exclusively for Local authorities. There was huge demand for the grants, which paid for additional child training places for those Authorities delivering cycle training to the National Standards. The fund was oversubscribed within 2 weeks, a testament to the enthusiasm of those keen to deliver quality cycle training. Since launch in the Spring, over 60 National Standards schemes across England have already applied and been registered and more than 20,000 badges handed out to trained children.
In 2008/9 Cycling England is doubling its commitment, making available a £3m cycle training fund. At least £2m of this will be exclusively for Local authorities. The Department for Transport will be handling the application process and grants on behalf of Cycling England this Winter so check this website for details and apply early to avoid disappointment! This time, those schemes offering Bikeability will be prioritised and extra funds provided to cover the costs of award materials; badges, certificates, etc. For more information on getting your scheme Bikeability accredited please visit the Scheme Accreditation section in the Professionals area of this website.
Q: How can I get involved with Bikeability?
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 ensure that your training scheme meets the National Cycle Training Standard and your instructors have been trained and accredited to this Standard. You will therefore need to get your scheme Bikeability accredited.
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.
This process has been designed so that those already delivering national standard cycle training will be able to provide easily the documentation required, demonstrating that they deliver high quality cycle training. It is anticipated that registering and provisionally accrediting your scheme will take around 30 days.
For more information on getting your scheme Bikeability accredited please visit the Scheme Accreditation section in the Professionals area of this website.
Q. What does the Bikeability Award package comprise?
The Bikeability award package comprises:
- Badges – one each for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3
- Booklets – with relevant information appropriate to each level; one for each Level
- Folders – the Level 1 folder contains the badge and booklet for Level 1, and has spaces for the other two levels as completed.
- Certificates – as appropriate for each level
The badges are of high quality metal, with luminous enamel paint colours for each level; the booklets and certificates are full colour with photographs.
Q. Is there a charge for accessing / ordering these materials?
Yes. In order that the award scheme is sustainable and long-lasting, a small charge must be made to cover the costs of materials, warehousing and postage.
Pricing is as follows: £2.50 for each Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 award purchased. For a limited amount of time only, we are also pleased to be able to offer a discount for those training schemes wishing to order Level 1 and Level 2 awards together. The price for ordering Levels 1 and 2 together will be £4.00. These prices include VAT. Cycling England recommends that the cost of the badge and certificate should be included in the overall cost of the training itself. In those cases where you already make, or wish to make, a separate charge for the badge materials directly to parents, it is not anticipated that this should be more than £2.50 - £3.00, in addition to any charges you already make.
Badges will need to be ordered in batches of 50 for Level 1 and Level 2, and 20 for Level 3.
Q: Can we charge parents/schools for the badges?
A: Cycling England recommends that the cost of the badge and certificate should be included in the overall cost of the training itself. In those cases where local authorities already make, or wish to make, a separate charge, it is not anticipated that this should be more than £2.50 - £3.00, in addition to any charges you already make.
To order materials, you will need to contact the Bikeability Professional Enquiry Line on 01234 848451. You will need your unique 'Scheme Organiser Number' to order materials which only accredited schemes will have. If you are not part of an accredited scheme or have not received your Scheme Organiser Number then email bikeability@sdgworld.combikeability@sdgworld.com.
There are several payment options, including credit card or traditional invoice/cheque settlement. Once you've placed an order, you will receive your Bikeability awards within three working days.
There is a discount available for a limited time for those training providers who deliver Levels 1 and 2 of the training together rather than separately. This may particularly affect Local authorities. Ordering levels 1 and 2 together will cost £4.00.
Q: What's a Scheme Organiser Number?
Once your scheme has been Bikeability accredited, you will receive a confirmation email containing your unique 'Scheme Organiser Number'. Your 'Scheme Organiser Number' enables you to order Bikeability materials for your scheme and instructors. You will need to visit the Bikeability website to fully register your details to being ordering materials.
Please note that as a scheme organiser, you may also be an instructor as well. This means that you will have two unique numbers related to Bikeability. Individual instructors will also receive a CTSB number – a personal identification code - which will enable them to register online at www.bikeability.org.uk and access the dedicated Instructor Forum. Every instructor accredited to the National Cycle Training Standards is given this unique number beginning CTSB….CTSB stands for Cycle Training Standards Board, the body which maintains and regulates the standards. You cannot order materials with a CTSB number.
Q: We're already running a cycle training scheme. What does the introduction of Bikeability mean for us?
A: Many instructors may already have their own schemes which are popular and well recognised in their area. The concepts for the National Standard for Cycle Training are based on the extensive best practice developed by those schemes. It is not intended that any existing cycle training should stop as a result of the introduction of nationally recognised schemes. However we do hope that these schemes will register and become recognised National Standard schemes.
Bikeability is the new award scheme which has been introduced to encourage take up of the National Standard for Cycle Training, and to provide national recognition for the young people who achieve it. If you're already delivering National Standard Cycle Training, you will be qualified to hand out Bikeability awards.
Q. Who controls the quality of the award?
The standard has been developed by over 20 organisations and is maintained by the professional body for cycle training, the Cycle Training Standards Board. Members of the CTSB are the UK's leading bodies in road safety and cycling, for a list visit www.ctsb.org.uk.
Quality of schemes and instructors is maintained by bodies approved by CTSB for the purpose. Currently CTC, the national cyclists' organisation is the main approved body for maintaining the register of qualified instructors on behalf of CTSB
FAQS – CYCLE TRAINING SCHEME ORGANISERS AND INSTRUCTORS
How can I get involved with Bikeability?
How do I get my scheme Bikeability accredited?
What does the Bikeability Award package comprise?
Is there a charge for accessing / ordering these materials?
Can we charge parents/schools for the badges?
What is a Scheme Organiser Number?
Will I be inundated with parents and children wanting Bikeability?
Q: How can I get involved with Bikeability?
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 ensure that your training scheme meets the National Cycle Training Standard and your instructors have been trained and accredited to this Standard. You will therefore need to get your scheme Bikeability accredited.
Q: How do I get my scheme Bikeability accredited?
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.
This process has been designed so that those already delivering national standard cycle training will be able to provide easily the documentation required, demonstrating that they deliver high quality cycle training. It is anticipated that registering and provisionally accrediting your scheme will take around 30 days.
For more information on getting your scheme Bikeability accredited please visit the Scheme Accreditation section in the Professionals area of this website.
Q. What does the Bikeability Award package comprise?
The Bikeability award package comprises:
The badges are of high quality metal, with luminous enamel paint colours for each level; the booklets and certificates are
full colour with photographs. Q. Is there a charge for accessing / ordering these materials? Yes. In order that the award scheme is sustainable and long-lasting, a small charge must be made to cover the costs of
materials, warehousing and postage. Pricing is as follows: £2.50 for each Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 award purchased. For a limited amount of time only, we are
also pleased to be able to offer a discount for those training schemes wishing to order Level 1 and Level 2 awards together.
The price for ordering Levels 1 and 2 together will be £4.00. These prices include VAT. Cycling England recommends that the cost
of the badge and certificate should be included in the overall cost of the training itself. In those cases where you already
make, or wish to make, a separate charge for the badge materials directly to parents, it is not anticipated that this should be
more than £2.50 - £3.00, in addition to any charges you already make. Badges will need to be ordered in batches of 50 for Level 1 and Level 2, and 20 for Level 3. Q: Can we charge parents/schools for the badges? A: Cycling England recommends that the cost of the badge and certificate should be included in the overall cost of the training
itself. In those cases where local authorities already make, or wish to make, a separate charge, it is not anticipated that this
should be more than £2.50 - £3.00, in addition to any charges you already make. To order materials, you will need to contact the Bikeability Professional Enquiry Line on 01234 848451. You will need your
unique 'Scheme Organiser Number' to order materials which only accredited schemes will have. If you are not part of an accredited
scheme or have not received your Scheme Organiser Number then
email bikeability@sdgworld.com. There are several payment options, including credit card or traditional invoice/cheque settlement. Once you've placed an order, you will
receive your Bikeability awards within three working days. There is a discount available for a limited time for those training providers who deliver Levels 1 and 2 of the training
together rather than separately. This may particularly affect Local authorities. Ordering Levels 1 and 2 together will cost £4.00. Q: What is a Scheme Organiser Number? A: Once your scheme has been Bikeability accredited, you will receive a confirmation email containing your unique 'Scheme
Organiser Number'. Your 'Scheme Organiser Number' enables you to order Bikeability materials for your scheme and instructors.
You will need to visit the Bikeability website to fully register your details to being ordering materials. A: If you are a scheme organiser, you may also be an instructor as well. This means that you will have two unique numbers
related to Bikeability. Individual instructors will receive a CTSB number – a personal identification code - which will enable
them to register online at www.bikeability.org.uk and access the dedicated Instructor Forum. Every instructor accredited to the
National Cycle Training Standards is given this unique number beginning CTSB….CTSB stands for Cycle Training Standards Board, the
body which maintains and regulates the standards. You cannot order materials with a CTSB number. If you are a National Standard accredited instructor and you haven't received your CTSB number then please contact the CTC on
0870 607 0415 (office hours) or email cycletraining@ctc.org.uk A: Many instructors may already have their own schemes which are popular and well recognised in their area. The concepts for
the National Standard for Cycle Training are based on the extensive best practice developed by those schemes. It is not intended
that any existing cycle training should stop as a result of the introduction of nationally recognised schemes. However we do hope
that these schemes will register and become recognised Bikeability schemes. Bikeability is the new award scheme which has been introduced to encourage take up of the National Standard for Cycle Training,
and to provide national recognition for the young people who achieve it. If you're already delivering National Standard Cycle
Training, you will be qualified to hand out Bikeability awards once you have had your scheme accredited. Q: Will I be inundated with parents and children wanting Bikeability? A: Our aim is that every child in the country should have the opportunity to gain their Bikeability award. Over the next three
years the promotional and marketing programme behind the awards will grow. A significant increase in demand is expected over the
coming years. The availability of bursaries for instructor training (covering at least 50% of the cost of the four day course) will be
promoted. The Cycle Training Standards Board, the recognised professional and standards body for cycle training has been working to
understand what opportunities and barriers exist to making recognised best practice training available to every child in England.
It is working with local authorities who are enthusiastic about the standard but have yet to start implementation as a priority. The CTSB will accelerate a plan to make the national standards more accessible to current training providers and enable them to
access the additional funding in these proposals. Please see www.ctsb.org.uk for more details. Is cycle training part of the National Curriculum? How much time will Bikeability training take? Can we deliver cycle training as part of PE lessons? Can we deliver cycle training as part of Extended Schools and Healthy Schools? Does my school have to participate? Can I draw down funding directly for my school? I'm a School Travel Advisor – how does Bikeability affect me? Q: Is cycle training part of the National Curriculum? A: No Bikeability is not part of the National Curriculum although under the Government's 'Travelling to school' action plan
teachers are encouraged to use geography, PSHE, citizenship and other lessons to explain the benefits of sustainable travel
including cycling. Q: How much time will Bikeability training take? A: A typical session lasts about 90 minutes. To achieve level 2 competence a child generally needs to participate in about 8
sessions. Q. Can we deliver cycle training as part of PE lessons? A. Yes, the DfES have confirmed that it is acceptable to deliver cycle training as part of PE lessons. Q. Can we deliver cycle training as part of Extended Schools and Healthy Schools? A. Yes. Cycle Training is a way of offering activities that meet the objectives of many associated programmes. Not only can
it be an activity in its own right, it is also a means of transport to access off-site activities. Q. Does my school have to participate? A. Bikeability and cycle training is not compulsory. Increasingly more parents will want their children to get their Bikeability. If you
do not offer it at present and are interested please contact your local authority. Q. Can I draw down funding directly for my school? Significant amounts of funding are being provided for cycle training and a majority of this will be provided to your local
authority. Bikeability is currently rolling out across the country so check out the Bikeability Near You map to find out whether
your local authority is delivering Bikeability yet. You may also find that there is a local independent training provider in your
area that would be able to deliver Bikeability in your school. Cycling England, the Department for Transport and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, in conjunction with the
Youth Sport Trust, have also evaluated a pilot project in 2006/07 to deliver cycle training directly to schools through a number
of SSPs and their Partnership Development Managers. The project is to be extended to more SSPs in 2007/08. If you are a Partnership Development Manager and want to find out more then please contact the Youth Sport Trust
on 01509 226600 or email cycling@youthsporttrust.org The ultimate vision is that within five years no child should leave primary school in England without the opportunity to
receive cycle training and SSPs will help to achieve this. Q. I'm a School Travel Advisor – how does Bikeability affect me? A. As a School Travel Advisor, you are already working to get children to participate in active travel to school. Cycle
training therefore forms a key part of the Travel Plan which you will create for your schools. Bikeability will come under the
remit of the person responsible for cycle training within your local authority.
FAQs – Schools, LEAs and SSPs
