Cycle Instructor Courses
Bikeability
The original Cycle Training in Devon course that our volunteer instructors previously ran for young people was devised in Devon and for nearly 20 years has met the highest standards of good practice in cycle training. However, a new standard has recently appeared – the National Standard – which helps cycle instructors across the UK work towards achieving the same goals for their trainees.
The National Standard is not a course but it does tell us what our own course should be trying to achieve. To help organisations like Devon County Council make sure that their course delivers what the National Standard expects, the organisers of the National Standard have introduced Bikeability. Bikeability is the stamp of approval given to any course that meets the National Standard objectives.
The original Cycle Training in Devon course offered by volunteer cycle instructors in Devon was of an extremely high standard but we have now had the opportunity to make some adjustments to it and, in so doing, achieve the Bikeability stamp of approval and produce the new Bikeability Training Guide.
Please note however that the National Standard doesn’t just require courses to be of a certain design before they can be Bikeability approved. National Standard instructors need to have specific training also. In Devon the volunteer instructor training lasts one full day. National Standard instructors will need to attend a four day training course and, at present, the nearest training centres are in Bristol, Wiltshire and London. We recognise that whilst some instructors will want to be National Standard qualified they will not be in the majority. We will therefore continue to offer one day training options in Devon for those who cannot commit more of their time. Although instructors attending the one day option will not be National Standard approved they will still be offering an excellent quality of service to their trainees and delivering the same course content.
Whatever the reason, if you would like to be trained as a cycle instructor, and are over 18 years of age, contact us at the Road Safety Help Desk to find out more and book your place. You can call on 01392 446124 between 10am and 1pm Monday to Friday, or email us.
A typical training day for instructors will run from 0930 to 1630hrs and will include the following subjects:
The course will also cover practical exercises to help you develop your skills as an instructor. You will need a bicycle!
Cycle Training Resources from Devon County Council
The following resources are issued in hard copy free of charge to all qualified instructors in Devon. You can also download them here and you are welcome to do so if you just wish to have a few ideas of the sort of training you could give your own child.
Existing instructors can also use these downloads to renew their stock if they need items at short notice.
| Resources | Description |
|---|---|
Bikeability cycle instructors guidance notes. |
The complete guide to training,and running a complete course. |
Bikeability Forms |
All the forms you will need to run a course, including risk assessments, consent forms registration forms and also completed examples to show you how to fill the forms in. |
Bikeability course advertising poster  (31KB - pdf help) |
A blank A4 poster that can used to advertise the dates, times and location of your training course. |
Other resources, though not available for download, are also commonly used on cycling courses and these can be ordered through the Road Safety Helpdesk. These include:
| Safer Cycling |  |
| Starting to Cycle |  |
| Arrive Alive (the Highway Code for Young Road Users) |  |
Call us direct or visit the Catalogue of Road Safety Resources and place your order from there.
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