Pedal Ready offers Bikeability training in Sheffield and Rotherham schools. Courses are fully funded by the council and all schools are encouraged to take up the offer of training for pupils in Y5 to Y8.
We aim to provide a friendly, local service and have years of experience in providing quality Bikeability training in South Yorkshire.
The course format
The school course starts with a morning spent in a traffic free environment on the playground. This session begins by showing pupils how to check that their bike is safe to ride before setting off. However, we must stress that each pupil should bring a bike in full working order, as our trainers can only make minor adjustments on the day and cannot allow a pupil to take part in the training if their bike is unroadworthy.
The rest of the morning then covers basic skills that the pupils will need before starting a road journey. This includes: signalling, looking behind, braking and basic bike control.
The remainder of the course is spent on quiet roads near to the school. Occasionally, we may need to ride to roads slightly further away from the school in order to train the pupils (if there are too many parked cars, for instance). If this happens we will risk assess the route and safely escort the pupils to the alternative venue. These sessions will cover road skills in real traffic conditions. The trainers will take the pupils out in small groups and teach them how to ride safely on quiet roads.
Booking a course
Booking a course is straightforward and can be done by email or phone. One of our booking coordinators is normally available during office hours (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm). They are happy to talk through the course with school staff and can book in dates immediately. When you get in touch please let us know how many pupils will be taking part, all of whom need access to a roadworthy bike.
Once booked, the school will receive an email confirmation with the necessary paperwork. This includes a template parental letter / consent form and a register for participant names. We also send though a contract which contains details of what to expect from the course and a generic risk assessment. A site specific risk assessment will be provided on day one of the course before pupils are taken out onto local roads.
Pupils will be provided with a high-visibility bib during the training and we encourage pupils to wear cycle helmets. However, if pupils arrive with cycle helmets that are unsuitable for road use (eg cover ears or limit visibility – as some BMX helmets do), we will advise that the helmet is not used on the road.
In poor weather, we ask all children to bring their bikes as the weather often changes through the day and the course will go ahead in all but extreme or unsafe conditions.
All pupils who take part will be issued with a Bikeability badge, certificate and a copy of Tales of the Road, a road safety manual for pupils.
All of our trainers live and work in South Yorkshire, have enhanced CRBs and are trained Bikeability instructors. They carry a photo ID card with their CRB number on the back.
Sheffield Schools
Bikeability courses run over 2 full days usually in consecutive weeks for 12 or 18 pupils. In secondary schools shorter half day sessions can also be provided with 2 pupils being taught by one trainer. This system allows greater flexibility for the school and allows trainees to cover specific journeys to school and incorporate some Level 3 training on busier roads if they demonstrate the relevant skills.
Rotherham Schools
Bikeability courses run over a number of consecutive days depending on the number of pupils booked: 12 pupils = 2 days; 16 pupils = 3 days; 24 pupils = 4 days. In secondary schools shorter half day sessions can also be provided with 2 pupils to one trainer. This system allows greater flexibility for the school and allows trainees to cover specific journeys to school and incorporate some Level 3 training on busier roads if they demonstrate the relevant skills.
For further information please contact our booking coordinators on 0114 241 2775 or via email: admin@pedalready.co.uk