It may be easy to ride a bike, but to ride one safely, efficiently and responsibly requires a bit more skill.

Cycle training is an invaluable way to improve your confidence, ability and fitness, whether you are;

• a beginner, someone returning to cycling after a few years break
• a leisure cyclists wanting to improve technique
• or a commuter who is nervous about busy roads and complex junctions.

Either way courses are designed to get you on your bike and enjoying all the benefits that brings – improved health, more energy, more fun and savings to your motoring costs.

Training is available from a number of organisations in Greater Manchester.  For more information about the types of training available and where from, click on the links below.

Cycle training for adults

Adult road cycling courses are based upon the National Standards for cycle training, which are split in to 3 easy to understand levels each with clear aims and outcomes.

Level 1 techniques and skills

• Getting on and off
• Starting off and stopping
• Staying upright without wobbling
• Pedalling
• Steering and maintaining forward progress
• Cycling one handed/signalling
• Looking behind
• Use of gears

Level 2 techniques and skills

• Theory of on road cycling
• Getting on and off the bicycle and starting off
• Stopping
• Use of gears
• Cycling one handed/signalling
• Looking behind
• Turning right, left and overtaking parked vehicles on a variety of quiet roads
• Using cycling facilities

Level 3 techniques and skills

• On road theory as level 2 with additional theory as required to support the more advanced road work being undertaken
• The cycle as a vehicle
• Positioning and observation
• Level 1 & 2 skills
• Busier roads
• Complex turns, roads and junctions
• Roundabouts
• Signal controlled junctions
• Filtering
• Using cycling facilities
• Different types of cycle and their purpose
• Keeping a bicycle roadworthy
• Clothing for cycling
• Relevant accessories

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For beginners

Learn how to balance, signal and manoeuvre. Learn about the basic techniques of safe and efficient cycling, how to set up and check your bike and advice on where to ride and find additional information.

Returners to cycling

Refresh your memory and boost your confidence after a break from cycling. If you haven’t ridden for a few years you may be shocked by how busy the roads have become. The good news is that provision for cyclists is improving in Greater Manchester.

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Leisure cyclists

Pick up the cycling skills and knowledge you need to go down to the local park, or take a trip out into the countryside with your family.

Off-road mountain biking

About 75% of bicycles in the UK are mountain bikes. Most however are never ridden off-road. If you fancy some muddy good fun on your mountain bike but are not sure where to go and how to develop the appropriate skills then training is available in the Greater Manchester area. And with the Pennines, Peak District and Lancashire hills on the doorstep there really is no excuse not to give this exhilarating form of cycling a try.

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Commuters

Learn how to tackle busy roads and junctions with ease and confidence. There are a number of local initiatives that integrate in to cycle to work schemes and providers of pool and loan bikes can be found with the area.

Experienced cyclists

Is there a certain road or roundabout that you still find daunting? You could attend a one-to-one lesson and get over your fears. There is always something new to learn even if you have been cycling for years.

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Maintenance courses

Additional to cycle training, bicycle maintenance courses are a great way of learning new practical skills and will help save money on repairs.

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Cycle training for children – Bikeability

Cycling is very popular with young children, and as they grow up the time comes when a bike is no longer just a toy, but their very own mode of transport! More and more local authorities in Greater Manchester are implementing cycle training programs within their schools.

Bikeability is the Cycling proficiency for the 21st century and is based upon the 3 levels of National Standards Cycle Training that were laid down by the government and several cycling organisations.

The Bikeability levels

Level 1 is taught in a traffic-free environment, and children learn the basics of how to control their bike and make an off-road trip, on cycle paths for example.

Level 2 is covered on quiet roads but in real traffic conditions. Children achieving Level 2 will be able to make a trip to school or elsewhere on small roads.

Level 3 incorporates busy roads, traffic lights, roundabouts and other advanced road features. Children will not usually be taught this until they start secondary school.

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Further information

You can find out more about National Standards cycle training at www.ctsb.org.uk

More information on Bikeability can be found on www.bikeability.org.uk

Cycling England also has lots of information about cycling and cycle training, www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland

For details of cycle training in your area, click on the link below for details of your local road safety officer:

Bolton - Bury - Manchester - Oldham - Rochdale - Salford - Stockport - Tameside - Trafford - Wigan