Bikeability

Training programmes to develop cycling skills

Bikeability is the government’s national cycling programme which is managed by The Bikeability Trust. It helps school‑age children develop the skills they need to ride confidently and safely on today’s roads.

Hampshire Outdoors delivers Bikeability cycle training across the whole of the Hampshire County Council area.

Through our Bikeability programmes, we help riders to:

cycle safely
learn practical cycling skills
understand how to cycle on today’s roads

Visit the Bikeability website

Courses

Dates to be confirmed for the summer holidays 2026.

For additional Bikeability enquiries or for 1:1 or adult training, email: [email protected]

trainees on balances bikes going round cones

What we offer

The Bikeability Trust supports a range of cycling initiatives. Most of our work focuses on providing cycle training in primary and junior schools, with some additional training available for secondary‑age riders.

Bikeability training can lead to Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Awards.

We may also be able to provide additional courses for a wider range of riders. These include:

Learn to Ride
Balance Bikes
Family Rides

Bikeability award levels

Level 1

Level 1 is for primary school children who can already ride a bike. It teaches the key skills in controlling a bike which they need before before moving on to cycling on the road.

Training takes place in a traffic-free area, usually a school playground.

Level 1 - Maintain your cycle, glide, and control your bike

Level 2

Level 2 helps riders understand the road environment and develop safe on-road cycling skills.

Participants will learn how to:

start and stop a journey on a road
make a U-turn
pass side roads and parked vehicles
turn left and right in and out of minor and major roads
use different road positions
be aware of other road users and hazards
make decisions whilst cycling
recognise signals, signs and road-markings.

The Level 2 course lasts between two and six hours, depending on the group size. It is most suitable for riders in Year 5 and above.

Level 2 - Start and stop, passing vehicles and understanding the road

Level 3

Level 3 is the final stage and is available to riders who have completed Level 2.

The course is three hours long and builds on the skills gained from the previous Bikeability courses. It introduces more complex road environments like traffic lights and larger roundabouts. Training areas may include roads with speed limits above 30mph. Riders will also learn how to plan safe cycling routes.

Level 3 is usually offered to riders in secondary schools.

Level 3 - Riding position, complex roads and confident responses

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.
Programme feedback (participating school)

Trainee putting helmet on

In-school Bikeability programmes

We deliver Bikeability training to schools across Hampshire. We offer Bikeability Learn to ride, Bikeability Balance, Level 1, Level 2 and 3. Contact us to discuss available funding.

Our dedicated vans and experienced instructors allow us to deliver the training directly to your school. We provide all the required 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 2026-2027, complete the Bikeability form.

If your application is successful, we will only be able to work with one year group from your school.

Terms and Conditions Bikeability Training (Schools)

Parents wrote in to say that their children loved the training. Some children ride to school now as a result.
Programme feedback (participating school)

Two trainees practicing cycling in the school playground

Holiday and Food (HAF) programmes

We provide Bikeability cycling training as part of Hampshire's HAF programmes.

The Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) is funded by the Department for Education. It offers holiday schemes that provide healthy food and engaging activities to children who receive income-based free school meals. A small number of places are also available on HAF schemes for other vulnerable families.

The programme is run by Hampshire County Council and includes 140 schemes which take place across Hampshire. The schemes are delivered by schools, childcare providers, community groups,  sports providers, Hampshire Outdoors Bikeability and other organisations.

Eligible children and families are those receiving benefits-related free school meals.

Learn more about Hampshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)

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!
HAF programme feedback

Trainee practicing cycling with a trainer as part of a Holiday and Food (HAF) programme

Cycling instructor training

If you are interested in becoming a cycle training instructor, we offer the 1st4sport Level 2 Award in Instructing Cycle Training. This Ofqual-recognised qualification is prepares learners to deliver sessions to adults and children in line with the National Standard for Cycle Training.

The three-day course includes online written assessment tasks, practical delivery and a final practical assessment.

Bikeability Balance Training

Bikeability Balance is a series of school-based sessions that give children a positive first experience of being on two wheels. The programme involves fun games carried out on balance bikes (bikes without pedals) to develop key skills. Children taking part will learn how to: