Cycling courses for children

Holiday courses

There are two types of cycling holiday courses for children offered by the Safety Education Team - they are both free.

Both are designed to benefit children who either live or attend a school in the Borough and who have either not had the opportunity to be trained in school or who have been recommended for further training after taking part in a school course.

On-road holiday courses

On-road holiday courses are open to children who will be 11 years or over by 31 August 2010 who live or attend school in the borough and who have either not had the opportunity to be trained in school or who have been recommended for further training after taking part in a school course. These courses are only suitable for pupils who are able to ride without assistance - otherwise, the beginners' course described previously would be more suitable.

Trainees will be expected to attend each of the five 2 hour sessions held over one week and bring suitable clothing/sun protection. Their cycles will be checked on the first day of the course and any faults noted will be highlighted on a checklist for your attention - pupils will not be permitted to continue on the course if their bike is not in a roadworthy condition.

The first day of the course will be held within the school grounds but the remainder of the course will take place on risk assessed roads in the area.

All children joining the course are required to wear a correctly adjusted cycling helmet and we will provide each child with a fluorescent waistcoat to wear whilst on the training course. The Scheme is covered by the local authority insurance policy but this does not include personal accident insurance.

All children who complete the course will receive an enamel badge and a certificate as well as a personal feedback form of their progress which parents may find helpful in deciding whether to allow their children to cycle on the road. We strongly recommend that all children of this age (including those who have received this training) are accompanied on the road by a responsible adult cyclist riding behind as often as possible as they acquire experience of riding on a variety of roads, beginning with quieter ones.

The next course will be held at Waldegrave School, Twickenham TW2 5LH on 12-16 April 2010.  Full details of this course and how to apply can be obtained by downloading and printing this form(pdf, 44KB).

Beginners' course (Wobblers and Non-Riders)

This course is intended primarily for Y5 and Y6 children who are either complete non-riders or who need to improve their control skills if, for instance, they are unable to take a hand off the handlebars to signal and/or look behind properly without excessive wobbling. This course will aim to bring such children up to the minimum standard required for on-road training in Y6 either at school or on a holiday course.

These courses are held in an off-road area (for example the school playground) and usually consist of two 2 hour sessions over 2 consecutive mornings or afternoons. They are not suitable for children who already have good/average cycle control skills as they are likely to find this course too easy and uninteresting. A roadworthy bike suitable for the size of the child is essential and a properly fitting cycle helmet is strongly recommended.