Bikeability
Training programmes to develop cycling skills
Bikeability is the government’s national cycling programme which is managed by The Bikeability Trust. The programme aims to develop life skills to school children, encouraging them to cycle more confidently and competently on today’s roads.
Hampshire Outdoors delivers Bikeability cycle training across the whole of the Hampshire County Council area.
Through our Bikeability programmes, we empower riders to:
- be able to cycle safely
- gain practical cycling skills
- develop an understanding of how to cycle on today’s roads
Upcoming Bikeability events
Courses
Sofa to Saddle scheme in the Havant and Gosport areas - November 2024 to March 2025
Monday 7 April
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8LS
Tuesday 8 April
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8LS
Wednesday 9 April
Weeke Primary School, Stoney Lane, Weeke, Winchester, SO22 6DR
Thursday 10 April
Merdon Junior School, Merdon Avenue, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 1EJ
Friday 11 April
St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Stakes Hill Rd, Waterlooville PO7 7BP
Monday 14 April
Knights Enham Junior School, 17 King Arthurs Way, Andover SP10 4BS
Tuesday 15 April
Weeke Primary School, Stoney Lane, Weeke, Winchester, SO22 6DR
Wednesday 16 April
St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Stakes Hill Rd, Waterlooville PO7 7BP
Thursday 17 April
St Bede's, Catholic Primary School, Popley Way, Basingstoke, RG24 9DX
For additional Bikeability enquiries or for 1:1 or adult training, email: [email protected]
Our offer
There are a number of cycling initiatives supported by The Bikeability Trust. Currently, the majority of work that we are involved with focusses on the delivery of cycle training in primary and junior schools, with some additional cycle training available for secondary age riders.
The cycle training Bikeability Awards can cover Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
Bikeability award levels
Level 1
Aimed at primary school children who have already learnt to ride a bike, this two-hour course covers all of the necessary skills of controlling a cycle in preparation to move to the road environment.
This course is conducted in a traffic-free environment, most often a school playground.
Level 1 - Maintain your cycle, glide, and control your bike
Level 2
Having completed Level 1, Level 2 is the first introduction to road-based skills.
Working in urban environments with speed limits of 30mph or less, this course introduces riders to safely beginning and ending their cycling journeys, safely passing junctions and parked cards and performing U-turns.
As the course develops, riders learn how to negotiate T-junctions. The four core functions of observation, positioning, communication and priority are taught throughout.
The Level 2 course is between two and six hours long depending on the instructor-to-rider ratio. The nature of the training means this is most suitable for riders who are at least of Year 5 age.
Level 2 - Start & stop, passing vehicles & understanding the road
Level 3
Having successfully completed Level 2, Level 3 is the final step for riders.
This three hour course builds on the skills gained from Level 2 and brings riders to more complex road environments like traffic lights and larger roundabouts.
Training areas may include roads with speed limits above 30mph and riders will also learn how to plan a journey to undertake the most appropriate route.
Typically this training is offered to riders in secondary schools.
Level 3 - Riding position, complex roads and confident responses
In addition to the above award levels, we are able to consider additional courses which can benefit a wider range of riders. These include:
- Learn to Ride
- Balance Bikes
- Family Rides
The instructors were fabulous. They were adaptable, friendly and kept us very well informed about how the children were progressing and the plans for each day. They were great! We were really impressed.
In-school Bikeability programmes
We deliver funded Bikeability training for schools across Hampshire, prioritising year 6 students before they move on to secondary school. We offer Bikeability Level 1 and Level 2 in schools.
With our dedicated fleet of vans and through our experienced and professional instructors, we are able to deliver the training directly to your school. We provide all the necessary equipment, including bikes and helmets for students who are not able to use their own.
If you would like to receive Bikeability cycle training in your school for 2025-2026, complete the Bikeability form.
If you are successful, we will only be able to see one year group from your school.
Please complete the following form to express an interest for training.
Parents wrote in to say that their children loved the training. Some children ride to school now as a result.
Holiday and Food (HAF) programmes
We support Bikeability cycling training as part of the HAF programmes which occur across Hampshire.
The Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) is funded by the Department for Education. It offers holiday schemes that provide healthy food and enriching activities to children who receive income-based free school meals during term time. A small number of places are also available on HAF schemes for other vulnerable families.
The programme is administered by Hampshire County Council. It has now grown to 140 schemes taking place across the whole of Hampshire this summer with schools, childcare providers, community groups, sports providers and Hampshire Outdoors Bikeability amongst those delivering activities.
Eligible children and families are those accessing benefits-related free school meals. Visit HAF for more information on eligibility:
The feedback and engagement from parents was incredible and really nice to be a part of at the end of the day. One parent even phoned us to say they were on their way to get their grandson fitted for a bike!
We also had some stories of children never riding a bike before the day, yet by the end they were completing full lengths of the astro turf - amazing!
Cycling instructor training
For those interested in becoming an instructor, we offer this Ofqual recognised qualification which prepares learners to deliver National Standard for Cycle Training for all ages and abilities.
This four day course involves online written assessment tasks, practical delivery and a final practical assessment.
We also offer the RPL qualification for instructors who are already qualified.
Bikeability Balance Training
Hampshire Outdoors would like to offer your child the opportunity to take part in Bikeability Balance training. This is mainly aimed at children in Year R. This cycle training programme is supported by the Department for Transport. Bikeability also has three other levels which your child will be able to access in KS2 and KS3 - Level 1 which is based on the playground and builds confidence in children who can already ride a bike, Level 2 which teaches children to cycle on local roads and Level 3 which uses more challenging roads.
Bikeability Balance is a series of school-based sessions that will provide your child with a positive early experience of being on two wheels. The programme involves fun games carried out on balance bikes (bikes without pedals) to develop handling and awareness. They will learn how to: identify parts of a balance bike, get on and off a balance bike, push and glide, stop safely, control and steer a balance bike, be aware of their surroundings, share space with others.
Children may use their own balance bikes, but balance bikes will also be provided, if you need to borrow one. If your child is already able to cycle, on a balance bike or bike with pedals, they can still take part to practise their skills.
All our Bikeability training is delivered by qualified, professional, DBS checked, National Standard Instructors.
At the end of the training the children will be given a certificate and sticker confirming they have completed the course.
Policies and Procedures
2023-2024 Hampshire County Council Employers Liability Certificate
Hampshire Outdoors - Corporate health and safety policy statement - organisation and arrangements
Hampshire Outdoors Bikeability Equality and Diversity Policy 2023
Hampshire Outdoors Safeguarding and Prevent Policy and Procedures
Hampshire Outdoors Bikeability Complaints & Compliments Policy & Procedures 2023
Hampshire Outdoors Bikeability Code of Practice 2023
Hampshire Outdoors Bikeability Privacy Statement
Complaints and Compliments Policy
Conflict of Interest Policy and Procedures
Malpractice and Maladministration Policy
Contact details
If you would like to find out more information about any of the options that we offer, email: [email protected]
For further information about the Bikeability Trust, visit the Bikeability Trust website, and read the Bikeability Blogs.