ROAD SAFETY & CYCLE TRAINING
incorporating ‘Bikeability’ and bringing Cycling Proficiency into the 21st Century ( www.bikeability.org.uk )

What qualifications do you hold?

Ø     I am qualified to National Standards and have my Bikeability accreditation having been checked by an independent body at the behest of the Cycle Training Standards Board.  National Standards and Bikeability was set up by Cycling England, RoSPA, CTC, LAROSA and the DfT etc., I was also one of just a handful of NSIs (and the only independent instructor) in the country that have been approached by Cycling England and the CTC to pilot Bikeability during the ‘gearing up’ period until it was rolled out nationally in the spring of 2007.  Additionally I'm a qualified First Aider (at Work).  I also hope to be doing my training as an Instructor Trainer under Cycle Experience auspices in the not too distant future which means I will then be able to work with trainee Assistant Instructors and provisionally accredited National Standard Instructors.

What about the Criminal Records Bureau checks., who does those and how regularly have they been done?

Ø     My last CRB check was November 2006 by Cornwall County Council and when I go back to college/university on a part time basis in September '07 to study Sports Science and Coaching over the next 3 years as well as teaching, Truro College will run another check on me then too because of work experience placements.  Prior to that again Truro College as I'd studied with their Business Unit, had also done one before I began trading the summer of 2005 ~ I do try to ensure that I am checked regularly by an umbrella body for the benefit of anyone commissioning me outside of schools or associations such as the Guides and Scouts although theoretically they should do their own checks on me.

Is your scheme Bikeability accredited and what does that mean?

Ø     Yes it is, I received my formal provisional accreditation in April 2007, at which time I was also mentored by a consultant for both Cycling England and the Cycle Training Standards Board who had commissioned the report to ensure that I am delivering the courses correctly and to standard.  The formal accreditation means that the respective policies required by law and paperwork is scrutinised, to ensure that they are in order and  appropriate for what we are aiming to achieve.  Anyone can request to see my Health & Safety and Child Protection Policies at any time, in fact, you’re welcome to do so.  My full accreditation will come when the CTSB have ratified the report following a second visit from the independant consultants acting on behalf of Cycling England, the CTSB and the DfT etc which happen in September 2007.  It's somewhere between a quality control inspection and practical teaching exam with regard to teaching practices, to ensure I'm doing what I claim to do 'on the tin' type thing and the objectives are being achieved.  I must still review my policies on an annual basis and submit to further checks if required to do so which is fair enough.

Are the services you will be offering in addition, controlled to the same high standards?

Ø     Indeed they are – Steven Rowsell, like myself has had his own scheme accredited and is also a trained and accredited MTB Instructor, also to the CTC.  Future plans for RSCT and Cornwall MTB include further training.  As an Instructor Trainer I would train up Assistant Instructors and would mentor them in the weeks and months afterwards.    However I will also be monitored and mentored myself for precisely that reason.  From the bike maintenance course angle I have linked up with the Roger Knight at the Bike Barn, and will be going on training modules for working with people who have special needs, which will again be originating from the CTC Development team. All of which will be subject to scrutiny by the CTSB, who will also handle any complaints that cannot be resolved locally, their official function being to ensure we (All qualified, professional Cycling Instructors) do deliver a quality product. 

So if my child needs a little extra help then what?

Ø     We can run courses adapted to your child's needs and that of their friends too., cycling is an activity that everyone can enjoy if approached from the right angle.  I am also going back to college part time to do a Sport Science course as a route to Uni to do a Sports Coaching degree, mainly because I get quite a few requests from parents to help children with Aspergers, Dyspraxia and/or ADHD as well so want to learn as much as I can about different ways of working with anyone who requests a little help.  Joanne Lord is going a similar route but from the counselling angle, putting her own personal experience to good use and putting a positive spin on it.  From there once we are qualified in that respect, you will have to make your own minds up but everything will again be quality controlled by the CTSB, my being an accredited NSI and Bikeability accredited.

What about funding, Cornwall isn’t a rich county and this isn’t a free service?

Ø     Cycling England is seeking to roll out its pilot project with the Youth Sport Trust (who manage the partnership network) so that Partnership Development Managers are given grants to distribute in their School Sports Partnerships.  They in turn, will be free to commission freelance trainers themselves or work with the local authority or both.  We are hoping to have this in place for the new academic year 2007-2008.  Currently I am working with both Cycling England and the 4 PDMs within Cornwall and we have £80k coming into the county to train 2000 Year 6 children before the end of the summer term 2008.

How do I know my child is safe?

Ø     I think the best answer to that is if you care to go to my ‘Feedback’ section, then you can see what parents who know me think.  Before we go out I will always have done risk assessments on sites I intend using and no-one is allowed to go out on the roads on a bike that is anything less than legally roadworthy.  The first day is always playground based for this reason and so I can assess their bike and cycling skills. You however, can also contribute, not only by ensuring their bike is both the right size and safe but also by providing them with a correctly fitted helmet too.

What happens if there is a medical emergency?

Ø     We accept no responsibility if we have not been told of anything that might affect you/your child.  If either you or your child suffers with any disorder that might need to be treated, we need to know about it especially if we are talking diabetes, anaphylactic shock, angina or asthma and might require either self medication or in a dire emergency when the paramedics wouldn't necessarily get there quickly enough, your written authorisation to use whatever medication you/they would use in such a situation.

What happens if the weather is bad in winter or at any other time come to that?

Ø     Unless we are talking prolonged and heavy rains (especially if there is a risk of flooding or areas of standing water that will affect those training), high winds, snow, ice, thick fog or a combination of any of the above, then the sessions will go ahead. At all times I would ask that you please ensure your child is appropriately dressed with a change of clothes if it is inclement.  If you go to my ‘Links’ page, you will find a link to the BBC Weather page and if you put your postcode or town in, you will be able to get a 24 hour forecast and duly prepare accordingly. There will be rare occasions when it will either be postponed or will run classroom based general theory sessions [I need to have access to run PowerPoint to go through road positions] if there are extremes that make outdoor training unsafe.

 What happens if it is a sweltering day in spring or summer?

Ø     Especially at this time of year, due to high temperatures, you need to think about things like sunscreen,  a drink to prevent dehydration and a hat to protect your child from sunstroke and perhaps sunglasses too (especially if they are prone to hay fever or similar) and of course, a sweater to put on if the sun goes in.  More so even although in this day and age, the seasons are doing some very peculiar things so are not so predictable.  Also please be sure that they always carry any medication that they self medicate using and in an emergency, that we have written authority to administer it, especially for those who are unfortunate enough to suffer asthma attacks or react to wasp/bee stings and go into anaphylactic shock as time would not be on our side in that kind of a situation!  Again check the weather so you can duly prepare accordingly.

 Will I get a report and/or a certificate?

Ø     At the end of the course yes.  I will be consistently assessing the trainees rather than ask them to do a test at the end of the course.  The report will highlight their strong points but also advise you of areas where they may still require your support and guidance.  PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER, completion of the course is not licence for them to go out on the roads on their own.  The ultimate decision whether they are allowed to do so after the course, is yours as their parents.  The certificate will only confirm completion of the course but if they fall short of the standard it will be withheld until such time as they do come up to standard. 

What happens if my child falls short of the required standard?

Ø     That very much depends on the reason – if it is because they preferred to mess around then I accept no responsibility but if there is a genuine reason such as a disability or a disruption no-one had any control over such as a family bereavement, then of course I will work with you to do what we can so that they can gain their certificate.  If it is due to no fault of their own, I will offer ONE extra 1:1 session for an hour at no extra cost which in most cases, would resolve the situation however if we need to carry on after than, then you would need to formally engage me to continue.  For example I have a young lady aged just 7, who took her stabilisers off on day one but wasn't quite signalling etc. by the end of the course.  Two weeks later after cycling at every opportunity she got, she is now capable of doing what is required to gain her certificate however she did get a certificate of 'encouragement' at the end of the course so that she wasn't left out when everyone else got theirs.

 What is the coursework they will get ?

Ø     Amongst other publications, they will get a copy the junior Highway Code and various other booklets that are relevant.  Their assignments will be based on what they have learnt during the various sessions.  I have no problem if you help them and discuss it, talking things through with them especially if they do have learning difficulties such as dyslexia.  It is designed to reinforce what I have taught them and give them something to refer back to after I have left.  They will also be given DfT activity books, again to reinforce what they are learning but in a more relaxed and fun environment.

 Are you covered if there is an accident?

Ø     Yes, I am fully insured through the CTC., I have Public Liability Insurance which also covers me as an instructor.  If you go to the CTC website, you can take a look yourself at what the policy covers exactly.

What would happen if an incident occurred where the training is being conducted?

Ø     That very much depends on what the nature of the incident .. Obviously the safety and well being of the trainees always takes priority.  I have a First Aid kit and Accident/Incident Report book, to comply with HSE directions should any of them be involved.  Calling the emergency services would also be a priority although hopefully it would be more a routine thing than because we needed their assistance.  It is why I always insist on at least one other adult being present, preferably two whenever possible.  If whatever it is causes an obstruction that would put the children in danger in any way, then we would change simply change location.

What would happen if a child had an accident whilst training?

Ø     The first thing would be to ensure their safety and wellbeing.  Should they be a casualty they would be treated according to the type of injury sustained and the emergency services called if required.  It may simply be a graze but I don’t take chances.  If a trainee has a head injury however slight, they will go to hospital and if you refused, I would ask you to sign a waiver in case there are any subsequent repercussions.  Either way I always have a second adult with me and my mobile phone.

Where does training take place?

Ø     Always somewhere local to the client’s home wherever possible, where they would normally cycle themselves and at level 3 when route planning comes into the equation, perhaps undertaking a journey they would make, to school or work for example.  When Steve runs MTB courses, they too will be done where he has previously done risk assessments and possibly on one of the many trails we are lucky to have here in Cornwall. depending on where you're at both geographically and in terms your ability.

 How does one decide what level of training is appropriate?

Ø   That depends on what the client tells me, their previous experience, what they want to achieve etc.  It may be a case of starting at the beginning [L1] and working right through, or starting with basic on road training [L2] for a child who has ridden for while and has good bike control skills or if someone a little older, a teenager or mother of young children for example who has ridden all their lives but isn’t confident riding on multi lane roads with roundabouts and traffic lights, then it is just a matter of doing the advanced cycling level [L3].

 Are there any age limits?

Ø     My youngest client is 5 and my oldest is 78 so no, not really. It comes down to ability more than age and I only tend to teach those who have managed to leave their stabilisers behind although there is always the odd exception to any rule! Cycling is good for your health and is non weight bearing too.  So long as it is what you want to do, age is pretty well immaterial and it is almost certainly beneficial however I do ask my older clients to please complete a quick Health Check Questionnaire.

What is this ‘BikeAbility’ that you refer to?

Ø     Bikeability is the new brand name for National Standards replacing the rather outdated Cycling Proficiency and bringing cycle training into the 21st century.  It is part of the government programme to reach out to all Y6 children in the next few years, hence the injection in the summer of 2006 of £15m – Bikeability has its own website at www.bikeability.org.uk and you can register there for any updates.

I’ve never ridden a bike before, can you help me?

Ø     Yes of course., I’ve just helped a 53 year old whose partner has ridden from John O’Groats to Lands End the summer of 2005 and gave them a bike as a Christmas pressie together with a few lessons as they’d never even sat on a bike previously.  Within 4 hours she had gone from scooting along the first time out to get the feel of it to being able to pedal on her own, steering the bike and going through cones, doing an emergency stop and signalling.  Her friend however, was pedalling on her own totally unsupported within half an hour and amazingly after just 2 hours instruction, rode all the way from Wadebridge to Padstow and back.  Another 60 year young grandmother was also going solo within an hour and having borrowed one of my bikes for the first session, stopped off and bought her own on the way home and went out cycling with her husband the following morning. On the other hand, I took the stabilisers of a child's bike one day and it was 3 days later that they finally had the courage to cycle completely on their own without anyone running beside or behind them and managed a greater distance (on average 100m give or take) when I ran in front of them so they focused on me than when I didn't but in all cases, once they knew they could do it, there was no stopping any of them ....

How long will it take me to learn from scratch?

Ø     Everyone is different as the previous response illustrates, so we go at your own pace as it is important that you are comfortable and enjoy doing it., when you get tired or feel overloaded it is important you say rather than suffer in silence because you’ve engaged my services so feel you have to see it through!  It also depends on things like how athletic you are in terms of your balance or why you’ve just decided to learn now., is there something in your past that stopped you for example and if you have an inbred fear, what is the cause so that we can you past it. 

Is there a test that I need to pass?

Ø     No, there is no formal test but a continual assessment is undertaken by the instructor who is qualified to do this and the decision to award the certificate or continue with training and the length of time that needs to happen, on will be based on those assessment results.

Do I need to wear a helmet?

I've heard rumours of a cycling academy - what is that about?

Ø     It is a project which has been suggested to me by my tutor next year, now that I have been offered a place to study Sports Coaching and Therapy as foundation degree.  We are currently looking at the logistics of it, given it is a feasible objective. It would be open to all college students primarily at FE level but if I have anything to do with it, it will also be available to HE students too especially now there are more mature students coming back to school as well!  The college already have off road cycling as part of the curriculum but not on road training.  Another part of the criteria for setting it up will be to encourage the older FE students coming through to take responsibility and train up themselves.  For example I have had a GCSE student from a local school who is a natural cyclist and wants to be a PE Teacher professionally.  She goes to college on day release from school throughout Years 10 and 11 and would be a prime candidate to train as an Assistant Instructor.  Later on, if she wants to branch out on her own, then she would just need to do the upgrade to become a fully fledged National Standard Instructor!