Road Safety Cycle Training - What they say

What people say about Cycle Training

Anil (and mum Lisa) Eight year old Anil jumped at the chance when he was given the opportunity to do a First Skills Cycling Course through his school, Woodloes Junior School in Warwick. Having been bought a new bike for his birthday last year, both Anil and his mum, Lisa, thought it would be a good way to increase his confidence on two wheels - and stay safe. All schools in Warwickshire are offered cycle training courses, run by Warwickshire Road Safety trained instructors. The Cycle Skills Course is specifically aimed at pupils aged eight years and over. It lasts about two hours and takes place off-road. Asked whether he thought the course was difficult, Anil says "Well it wasn't easy because there were things I didn't know yet. But now I've done the course I feel great - very confident and better. The best thing was learning the emergency brake and the hand signs I did." Anil doesn't cycle cycle to school on his own yet because both he and his mum think he is too young, but he does cycle outside school.

Students from Welcombe Hills School Fiona Richings, a teacher at Welcombe Hills School, whose pupils have a wide range of special educational needs, tells us about the time their students went out on the road with our cycle instructors ... "We had a few secondary students who were keen to ride their bikes to school, so wanted to support them in this by arranging training and the County Council were very enthusiastic to make a link with a special school. The pupils that took part were a credit to the school, they were enthusiastic, listened carefully and were extremely supportive of each other. All the pupils made fantastic progress over the course. The instructors were all brilliant and they engaged the pupils in every aspect. As well as learning about safe cycling and developing their cycling skills and control, all of the pupils gained in confidence and self esteem." But what did the Welcome Hills pupils themselves think about their cycle training? Did you enjoy the cycle training? Karl/Liam/Tom: Yes, it was brilliant Ashleigh: Fantastic, because I'm getting good at practising at home. I want to do it again Did you find it easy or difficult? George: Some easy and some difficult Tom: Easy for me because I already rode my tandem with Mum to school What did you learn? Angharad: How to be safe on the road and look and listen. I liked the bit when I learnt how to go round the corner and stop What was the best thing about it? Sam: I won certificates Jasmine: The people, because they helped us to bike ride Why do you like cycling so much? George: I can ride on my own Tom: Being outside in the summer, when it rains I put my bike in the car. Any other comments about the course? Karl: Instructors were brilliant, it was fun and we had jokes Tom: I liked Willie and all the staff and they listened Angharad: I'd like to try the course again!

Marilyn Crichton, Long Compton "I was one of those people who desperately wanted to cycle more, but just didn't have the confidence to get back out there on the road. In fact, it's fair to say that in the 40 years since I last climbed onto a bike I felt like stabilisers would have been a good idea. I spotted on the Warwickshire County Council website that cycle training was available, so I booked myself onto the course and I think it's fair to say that I really haven't looked back. After just two hours with trainer Nigel Perry my confidence was well up and I felt that the stabilisers were ready to come off! I was happy to be on a bike again and getting out on my own on the road. A bought a brand new bike 15 years ago that has been sitting in the garage and I've brushed this off. It's such fantastic countryside around where I live, and the views from a bike are just wonderful. I'd encourage anyone to give it a go and get back out there."

Warwickshire St John Ambulance It's not just school children or people who cycle for pleasure that can benefit from being more confident on their bikes. For some people, cycling is absolutely essential to help them do a good job - and in some cases, save the lives of others! That's certainly the case for members of the St John Ambulance cycle Response Unit in Warwickshire.Based in Nuneaton, this expert squad of first aiders attend event all over the county, from marathons to carnivals, providing on the spot treatment for people in need of medical help. Quite often first on the scene. So getting some expert cycle training from Warwickshire Road Safety trained instructors seemed like a logical step for the response unit's already expert first aiders. The St. John Ambulance first aiders thought their cycle training was a positive and enjoyable experience - and one that will help them get to the scene even more quickly and safely.

Willie Arnold - Cycle Training Instructor To become a Warwickshire County Council cycle training instructor, you've obviously got to be a very good cyclist. But, it also helps if you have a real passion for what you do and for wanting those that you teach to grow and develop. Former primary school teacher, Willie Arnold, decided that he didn't want to give up work completely when he retired from his teaching job. Willie confesses:"I learnt to cycle as a child - but wasn't very good!" However, he is certainly enthusiastic about cycling now. "Cycling has two main things going for it - it's very good exercise and helps you keep fit, and it's also something that families can do together. There is one more advantage of getting on your bike - if you are able to go and explore, then cycling can enable you to enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside." So what's so good about being a cycling instructor in Warwickshire? "The best part of my job is seeing children becoming more confident and competent and more aware of dangerous situations" says Willie. "We are teaching them to become safer as individuals and more responsible for their bike and their own safety. It's great to witness the development of children who couldn't take their hands off the handlebars doing hand signals, for example. Children who find other aspects of school not that easy can get real pleasure from achieving in other areas such as cycling." Willie believes it is not only the children that are benefiting from his training - but the mums and dads too! "Parents also need to be educated in road safety, and the great thing is that the children who do our cycle training can then tell their parents what they have learnt. One parent told me that they really had learnt a lot as a result of their child doing the course, and it had made them a better person on the road too." So what's been Willie's proudest achievement as a cycling instructor? "To see young people achieve at a level they are able to achieve. Watching a child grow and mature is the greatest achievement and to feel part of that process makes me feel proud."

Geoff Stroud - Cycle Training Instructor After 10 years in the job, Geoff Stroud is still very much enjoying being a cycling instructor - even if he has had a few odd experiences along the way, including being mistaken for a bin man! Geoff, who was a primary school teacher for over 30 years, was running a cycle awareness course on a Monday and a Wednesday over three weeks. "Wednesday was bin collection day" says Geoff, " and I'd stopped outside someone's house to wait for the children. With that, an elderly lady came out of her house and asked why I was standing around and not moving her bin! I think it must have been the fluorescent jacket that confused her and she thought I was one of the bin collection men." However, for Geoff, the best part of being a cycling instructor is "seeing very timid children blossom and becoming confident and able enough to pass the end of the course test. There is so much traffic on today's roads, so many drivers have little respect for cyclists, so basic training is essential."

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