Over the summer, 60 children and young people have geared up their cycling skills to stay safe while riding on the county’s roads.
Bikeability, Dorset Council’s accredited National Cycle Training Scheme has been offered throughout the summer at Safewise, the community skills for life centre in Weymouth.
There are three Bikeability levels, each designed to improve cycling skills, no matter what is known already. The courses take trainees from the basics of balance and control, all the way to planning and making independent journeys on busier roads.
- Level 1 teaches basic skills off road at SafeWise Weymouth’s full-size road layout.
- Level 2 develops riders’ skills and confidence for cycling on single-lane roads and simple junctions with mostly moderate motor traffic flows, preparing riders to deal with short journeys such as cycling to school or the local shops.
- Level 3 equips riders with the skill and confidence to ride more challenging roads and traffic situations – busier streets, queuing traffic, complex junctions, cycle routes and roundabouts. It also includes planning routes for safe cycling.
Ben Heath, Safewise Centre Manager, said, “This is a brilliant partnership that fits our purpose of teaching people new ‘Skills for Life’. 40 children have completed their level one and level two Bikeability courses. This is something that we hope to offer on a regular basis during the school holidays so watch out for more in the future.”
Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, Cllr Ray Bryan said: “We have been able to offer the popular Bikeability courses through partnership working with Safewise and the use of their excellent facilities. It’s been great for children who are unable to access training through their local schools. The feedback from parents and children has been very positive.”
For more details about Bikeability cycle training visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/Bikeability
