Hemel Hempstead Cycling Club

Wet Wet Wet (and cold)!

Yes, that was the general theme for the half term Bikeability course run from the club house on 16th, 17th and 18th of Feburary 2010.

Thirty one very brave children ventured out to complete their Level 1 and 2 Bikeability supported by British Cycling. I have to say, if I had the choice, I would have stayed at home, but no, they all came along with smiles and full of expectations which meant that Warren Cobb and I had to continue! We used the car park area to complete Level 1 which is really about basic skills plus an assessment of riding competences; can you ride a bike in a straight line? stop safely? steer around obstacles? and ride with one hand to give a signal? This proved to be very wet, muddy and a little uneven in places.

Once Level 1 was completed, we then spent the next two days out on the roads of Hemel Hempstead close to the club house. Building things up from quiet back streets, and then moving on to fairly busy roads. The 'brave ones' battled on through the elements. Level 2 takes into account all the basic manoeuvres needed to complete a journey on smaller and quieter roads. So we looked at starting/stopping, overtaking parked vehicles, passing a side turning and ultimately turning left and right in and out of major and minor roads.

For some, the weather on Thursday morning took it's toll and it was just too much to continue safely. There was a lot to take in and I think the wet and cold just stopped all concentration. We had to abort things a little early which meant I was not able to accredit a pass to the whole group. For those that came for the afternoon session, the weather was slightly kinder to us and we got through the session.

Well done to all that came along and gave it your best. For those on the morning session that missed out due to the weather, I will look to run another repeat session soon so you can have another crack at it.

If the funding remains in place through 2010, I will look to run another course in the summer. Here's hoping for better weather.......?

Ride safe!

ps. rider names in photos;

Morning group left to right. Nathan Burgess, Owen Payne, Max Whelan, Rueben Frankel, Alex Wilkins, Harry Rogers, Ben Stockton, Joel Russell, Emily Bannister, Chris Wilkins, Emily Slay

Afternoon group left to right. Conall Brown, Denis Mikhaylov, Sam Bloomfield, Jordan Watts, Feidhlim Kitchner, Jack Stevenson, Matthew Bayles, Ellie Knight, Dylan Allison-Critcher, Phillip Coleman, Freya Coleman, Jake Alderson.

Simon Cooper

What is Bikeability?
Bikeability is Cycling Proficiency for the 21st century and is designed to give young people the skills and confidence to cycle on today’s challenging roads. Comprising of three different levels, Level 1 teaches basic skills similar to a Go Ride session, Level 2 gives young people the skills to ride on quiet roads and Level 3 teaches the skills required to safely negotiate major roads and junctions. Any rider, however experienced, will be able to learn something from the course which could make their riding on the road safer and more enjoyable.

The National Standard for Cycle Training, which underpins Bikeability, has been designed by the leading experts in the field of road safety as well as cycling. It is designed on similar principles to lessons for motorcycle riders and car drivers, assessing the likely risks and obstacles faced by cyclists at each stage of their development and created training that encourages them to make their journeys with the skills to manage these risks as far as is practicable.

Bikeability is the only Government approved and nationally recognised award for cycle training today. The standard developed by over 20 organisations and maintained by the professional body for cycle training, the Cycle Training Standards Board. For more information visit: www.ctsb.org.uk.

Cycle training is an essential part of making the transition from using traffic free places and shared routes to travelling on the carriageway. The National Standards are designed to encourage cyclists to cycle safely on the road and to obey all road signs and signals. The government believes Bikeability is an important step in ensuring young road users obtain the relevant skills and knowledge from an early age and will encourage a long term climate of respect between users regardless of what transport choices they make in the future.

Cycle training is the vital life-skill required before 'more children cycling, more safely, more often' can become a reality, and all the associated benefits of a new generation of young people cycling can be realised - including better health and fitness for cyclists and less congestion for us all.