Bikeability

Launched in March 2007, the programme was created in consultation with leading road safety campaigners and cycling experts – from established scheme organisers to instructors.

It is supported by the National Standard for Cycle Training and takes learners through three different levels, awarding development at each stage of the training process.

Level One – teaches basic skills and bicycle handling.

Level Two – gives children the skills they need to cycle safely to school on quiet roads.

Level Three – covers more complicated traffic environments.

A child will typically start Bikeability lessons once they have learnt to ride a bike, with Years 5 and 6 (10-11 year olds) progressing through to Level Two, and then Level Three at secondary school.

However, many adults are also keen to prove their Bikeability – either to learn the basics or refresh their skills.

From its early pilot days in 2006, Bikeability has now been adopted by 90% of the local authorities in England and around 250,000 children are trained each academic year. It is fully backed by the Department for Education with significant ministerial and cross-party support.

Regular media campaigns like Bike to School Week have maintained the high public profile created by the national and regional launches of 2007, creating powerful marketing opportunities at a local, grassroots level.

By 2012, half a million children are expected to have taken part in Bikeability training, setting the wheels in motion for a revolution in English cycling.