Cyclist training and education

Kevin Mayne, Development Director ECF

ECF gratefully acknowledges financial support from the European Commission.

Contents

• Where we started – 2007 presentation from Velo-city

• 2012 Update

How the development of cyclist training courses

benefits cycling and cycling promoters

Shared experience from the UK and Switzerland

Contents• CTC’s UK experience • IG Velo’s Swiss experience• Methodology• Comparisons

– Development of course contents• By level of cycling skill• By type of client• For instructors

– The benefits of cyclist training• To cycling policy• To host organisations

– Developing resources for new cycle training schemes

• Conclusions

UK - History• First schemes 1930s• Offroad child scheme

1940s-1990s– 300,000 annual participants – Almost entirely road danger

focussed

• Adult cycle training scheme 2003– Trip focussed– Merged with child on road

scheme 2005

• Significant government funding for change 2005-8

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

Participants

Communities

Switzerland 1996-2006

Methodology

• Two schemes developed in isolation

• Information sharing via ECF

• Common ground– 3 level scheme

• Comparison – Best practice– Common transferable experience

Comparison – Course Content – Skills

IG Velo Switzerland CTC - UK

1st Level A: “Cycling in safe surroundings”

•Traffic free

Level 1. “Basic skills of cycling.”

•Off road

2nd Level B: “First rides”

•Safe surroundings, quiet streets

Level 2: “Introduction to road cycling”

•Low levels of traffic

3rd Level C “Riding in city traffic”

•Busy streets

Level 3. “Road cycling trips”

•All conditions - sharing roads

Comparison Course Content – Clients

IG Velo Switzerland CTC - UK

Younger Children

Complementary schemes

School – basic skills

IG Velo – riding on streets

Recognises changes of journey type at different ages

Level 2 = Primary school

Parents Theory and observation at children’s lessons

Teenagers Reminders about good skills Level 3 designed for teenagers and adults

Adults –Moving to the countryside–Re-starting after a break–Accompanying children–Elderly–Mostly women

-Health improvement-Rehabilitation -Fitness-Promotion of social inclusion -Cycle maintenance & rides.

-Majority female

Learning by example

http://www.igvelo.ch/kurse/details_d.php

Comparison – Course Content - Instructors

IG Velo Switzerland CTC - UK

Objectives Guiding children & parents in groups. Right theory and behaviour

Creating accredited, insured instructors experienced transport cyclists

Materials Handbooks Manuals

Training 3 levels Single 4 day course

Quality assurance Audit by Swiss Traffic Security Council

Created an independent Cycle Training Standards Board

Switzerland UK

Support Give knowledge

Reduce anxiety

Empowerment for potential cyclists

Safety Teaching the right way

Reducing casualties

Popularity Repeated participation

Link - recreational and utility cycling

Image improvement Trained cyclists are a good image for cycling

Deals with negative and illegal behaviours of cyclists

Comparison –Benefits to cycling

IG Velo Switzerland CTC - UK

Building Relationships State authorities, other cycle organisations

From lobbyist to strategic partner

Branding Image advantage Media friendly - great images

Consumer profile Potential customers /members

Changes range of cycling activities offered

Income generating Employers Government funds

Lobbying Working with new partners

Changing emphasis – from danger to trips

Comparison - Benefits to host organisations

Comparison –Creating resources

IG Velo - Switzerland CTC - UK

Services for new and existing training schemes

Materials

Web site

Courses

4 module scheme for setting up new courses•Introductions•Visits•Mentoring•Training

Materials

Web site

Courses

Professional support

Helpline•Consultancy•Capacity Building scheme•Government grants & bursaries

Conclusions• Training is popular, cheap and effective• Safety, promotion and cyclist behaviour at the

same time• Can focus on children, families and new

cyclists • Can cater for children and adults• 3 level schemes meet all needs• Instructor training is the cornerstone• Organisations that promote training gain

significant benefits • Support for knowledge transfer from IG Velo

and CTC

Contents

• Where we started – 2007 presentation from Velo-city

• 2012 Update

2012: UK

• Adopted across the UK• Government budgets €50 Million for

Bikeability lessons 2011-2015• 500,000 children per year trained to make

trips by bike • 5000+ trained and paid instructors• 50% of delivery through organisations and

social businesses linked to advocacy sector

• Strengthening more advocacy – Ministerial influence

2012 - International

• Hungary• Portugal• Estonia• Belgium• Denmark• Netherlands• Canada

Conclusion?