Cycle Training
To encourage more people to cycle for both the health benefits and to increase the numbers of staff using more sustainable modes of transport we are offering free adult cycle training. If you are interested please complete the attached form and we will be in touch.
Details of training on offer:
- Complete Beginners - Training is undertaken on a large traffic free area, such as an empty car park or playground. A three hour course broken down into two, one and a half hour sessions which can either be run on the same day or over two separate days. This course is aimed at adults new to cycling and will cover: balance, steering and effective braking. We would expect participants to leave the course being able to ride a bike.
- Confidence Booster Level 1 - Training takes place on a large traffic free area, such as an empty car park or playground. A two hour session for adults who can balance but need to develop better bike control skills. The course covers: starting and stopping, riding one handed, signalling, dealing with obstructions and looking behind. The course prepares the participant for going out on the road.
- Confidence Booster Level 2 - Training initially takes place on quiet roads progressing to busier roads in the locality. A two hour session aimed at individuals who already have good cycle control skills but who need to know how to ride safely on the road. The course covers: road positioning, left and right hand turns, junctions, small roundabouts, passing a side road and passing parked cars.
- Confident Rider Level 3 - Training is undertaken on busy roads in the locality. A two hour session aimed at confident cyclists who want to be able to cycle more safely on busy roads. The course covers: traffic lights, filtering, multi - lane roads, junctions and large roundabouts.
If it is a long time since you have ridden a bike, particularly on busy roads we would strongly advise that that you get some cycle training and ensure that you have the correct safety equipment. You may find the following useful:
- Get Cycling Newcastle (PDF: 1.31 MB) - a guide for beginners with information about how to get started, maintenance tips, traffic signs and road markings etc. Hard copies can be obtained from ESS. Or go to their website at http://www.getcycling.org.uk/
- The Bicycle Users Group (BUG) for Newcastle University - information for those new to cycling and/or Newcastle.
- Get Cycling - a guide from Sustrans on choosing and using your bike