Cycle Experience

How We Train

One of the principal differences from the Cycling Proficiency Test of old is that the training takes place largely on-road so that trainees, whether children or adults, learn how to interact safely with other road-users.

Level 1 normally takes place off-road e.g. on a playground and is designed to develop the basic control skills and understanding, fundamental to being able to ride on the road.  These skills include getting on and off the bike, starting, stopping, pedalling, riding in a straight line, looking behind and signalling without wobbling.

Level 2 normally takes place on-road, starting off with quiet junctions and roads but progressively moving to busier junctions and roads as the trainees’ skills, understanding and confidence develops.  The list of manoeuvres and skills that trainees learn to carry out is quite long and includes turning right and left from a minor road to a major road and vice versa, passing parked vehicles, passing side roads, understanding where to position themselves on the road and being able to explain decisions made whilst riding and thereby demonstrating an understanding of safe riding strategy.

Level 3 is for those who want to cycle further afield using busier roads and more complex road features such as (bigger) roundabouts, traffic lights and multi-lane roads.