This Summer holiday Island youngsters and their families can sign up for Bikeability cycle safety courses – or just drop by for a free bike check.
During August, children aged 8-12 and families can learn to cycle safely on Island roads thanks to the Isle of Wight Council’s team of cycling instructors.
Instructors will teach children road safety skills, under the national Bikeability cycling scheme.
Alec Broome, sports development officer at the council, said:
“It really is worthwhile getting children signed up to one of our summer holiday Bikability courses. We are offering both Level 1 and Level 2 courses with prices starting from £10.
“We can teach children how to ride on the roads and grow their confidence; the children can also encourage their parents to ride with them.
“Getting some family Bikeability sessions can help inspire generations of a family to cycle safely together. Spaces on all our courses are limited so book before Monday 17th July to make sure you don’t miss out.
“Understanding the rules of the road and following them makes the road a safer place for all road users. You can also get your bike checked for free at one of the Dr Bike drop in sessions — no booking required.”
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The council has also partnered with Adrian’s Bike Shop to offer free bike safety checks and services to local children. A qualified mechanic will be available at 1Leisures Medina Leisure centre in August.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet member for leisure, said:
“It’s a great course that gives children the opportunity to practice real life road safety, such as navigating junctions and road positioning. Regular active travel can also help children develop positive habits that are useful now and in the future.
“We hope these courses will give children both the confidence and skills to consider cycling to and from school in the future rather than by car, as well as taking steps towards improving children’s physical and mental health.”
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for the environment, said:
“Not only are we teaching children to be safer when out cycling, but we are also promoting our Active Travel scheme which aims to get all members of the Island’s community travelling in active ways that are better for their own health and local air quality, as well as reducing congestion.
“Active travel is better for the planet and all the life that it sustains.”
Road safety cycle training, booking required
Level 1 – 7th August
£10 per person. 2-hour course in a playground environment. Morning and afternoon sessions available.
Level 2* – 8th and 9th August
£15 per person. Four-hour course on local roads. Morning and afternoon sessions available.
*Rider assessment required prior to level 2.
Combined level 1 and 2 – 7th, 8th and 9th August
£20 per person. Riders to attend all three days.
Family sessions
£15 per family. 3-hour session, morning, and afternoon sessions available. contact us for more information.
The closing date for sign up to courses is 17:00 on Monday 17th July.
Dr Bike – free bike check, drop-in service no booking required
Medina Leisure Centre, 09:00 to 14:00 on Monday 7th August and Monday 21st August
If you would like to discuss or book a Bikeability course, please email [email protected] or call 01983 823818. *Limited space available and booking is required.
Further information about the national Bikeability scheme can be found at https://bikeability.org.uk/bikeability-training/.
A great addition to cycle safety, should be mandatory learning for all schools, could easily save a life and at the very least make riders safer and more confident.
Do they teach them about traffic signals, that red means stop? And what one-way arrows mean and one way streets, and no entry signs?
And that when you’re trundling along at 10mph on a country road with a long line of traffic behind you, that it might be courteous to pull over and let some vehicles past you? I agree with the sentiment expressed by Jonathon Bacon in the article that cycling is ‘better for the planet’, but it’s counter-productive if you have a whole line of cars, all in 2nd gear, following you for several miles.
I’m not joking, I actually hope they do cover these things and test the riders on the Highway Code etc. Motorists have to pass a test to use the road, and perhaps cyclists should too.