What to Expect

OUR PRINCIPALS
Where we are all coming from ..

Promoting Cycling:

We all believe in using cycling as a mode of transport and take cycle training serious as there is safety in numbers so the more people who are trained to ride on our roads, the more effective it will be and the safer it will become as is the case with Plymouth. Our objective is to counteract any negativity or restrictions imposed on them by school or their parents and raise their levels of awareness and confidence so they are able to cycle to school, for work or purely for leisure activities and fun.

Realistic Training:

The Nationals Standards or Bikeability replaced the now rather outdated Cycling Proficiency and takes today's roads and traffic into account. After the first session which is playground based to ensure that students have the necessary bike control skills to go out on road, we use quiet roads initially gradually building up to busier roads so the conditions in which they train, are genuinely realistic and trainees realise that they must adapt each junction and the constantly changing road conditions.

Training is for EVERYONE:

Cycle training is no longer just for Years 5 and 6 in primary school .. these days, irrespective of age or ability, cycle training under the new system, is available to everyone from someone who is aged just 4 or 5 to someone who is in their seventies or eighties. Courses are tailor made to you, on a one to one basis, working with an entire family including parents so you can go out as a family on road or starting from the very beginning as increasingly, older people who never learned to cycle, are now looking to do as an alternative, cleaner, cheaper and healthier form of transport as well as an activity to be enjoyed with the grandchildren when they come to stay. The new Bike Club scheme which is currently being piloted around the UK, is focused mainly on teenagers and those with varying degrees and types of disabilites.

Assertive Cycling:

You have as much right as any other vehicle to be on the road if you are also adhering to the Highway Code and being considerate in your cycling practices. We will teach you how to cycle assertively as your road position, behaviour and visibility to other drivers is key in keeping you safe. You will be shown how to take the lane and when to do so, so that you can cycle without fear and in the certain knowledge that you have rights too.

Simplicity:

You do not need special clothing or anything else to be able to cycle but to have a bike is always a good starting point. If you are working for a company who encourages their employees to cycle, then check and see if they are involved with Cycle Scheme at all, so you can get a tax free bike. Protective clothing such as hi-viz tabards and helmets are all a matter of choice although we would advise that in terms of clothing, you do not wear anything that could get caught in the chain or wheel, your shoe laces are done up and what you do wear does not make you just blend into the background but does give you a presence.

Sustainability:

Cycling is a very sociable past time as well as being eco friendly and economically viable particularly in the current financial climate. As previously mentioned, there is safety in numbers and the more people cycling, the more cycling will become accepted as the norm. and facilities will both conditions and facilities improving (such as more secure cycle parking or city cycle rental schemes such as the one in Paris.)

Co-operation:

We have all trained professionally and committed National Standard Instructors, who believe in quality not quantity so although a course is over a certain amount of time, if someone needs that little extra help, they will get it from us as we would go back and work with them again on a 1:1 basis if that is what is required. We also believe in working together as part of the bigger picture and put a very positive spin on cycling, wanting to make it a fun thing to become involved in, although we also appreciate there is a serious aspect to it as well.