Cycling lessons

Cycling lessons

About this activity

Suitable for years 5, 6, 7 and 8. Supports the PE National Curriculum.

NB: We’re bringing together all the TfL education programmes, including STARS, under one exciting new umbrella programme called TfL Travel for Life. They will be the same great programmes but with a new name and a new look, easier online process and dedicated support team. STARS for primary schools will be renamed TfL Explorers. STARS for secondary schools will be renamed TfL Pioneers

Offer cycling lessons during PE time as an inclusive way to allow pupils who do not normally have the chance to use a bike to get active and gain confidence. Lessons also allow those who are more experienced cyclists to improve their skills. Teachers can run the cycle lessons themselves. Cycle training for teachers courses are availabe, for example from British Cycling. You may be able to request funding to cover training costs from your local authority or TfL.

Cycling lessons in a curriculum setting could lead to pupils opting to take part in Bikeability training, if your school is able to offer it.

How to run the activity

Teachers can run the cycle lessons themselves. Cycle training for teachers courses are available, for example, from British Cycling. You may be able to request funding to cover training costs from your local authority or TfL.

Alternatively, depending on your school’s borough, you may be able to receive support to deliver the lessons from the borough or a local cycling provider. You may also be able to apply for funding for bicycles if your school doesn’t have any for pupils to use. Contact your borough officer to discuss available options. 

Cycling lessons can include:

Fun, playground-based sessions focused on bike handling, control and speed, as well as learning about how brakes and gears work

Introduce on-road scenarios such as traffic (other bikes), pedestrians and road signs and markings

Road safety and awareness

What to be aware of when cycling on quiet roads and shared paths

Cycling on local, quiet roads to practice using the local cycling infrastructure. In this case there should be a maximum of 12 pupils in a group which requires at least two teachers or instructors

Adapting cycling lessons for SEND school pupils. You may wish to:

Introduce the idea and purpose of bikes and cycling into the classroom. You can do this through producing bike art or videos. Talk about when and where your pupil(s) would like to cycle

Introduce the different parts of a bike and what they do; encourage pupils to touch them. You could also pass around separate materials such as the foam from a seat or rubber from a tyre to allow pupils to feel the textures

Introduce adapted bikes and trikes to the playground. This could involve 1-2-1 training to work on balance and get the pupil cycling  

If advancing on to roads you will need at least one teacher or instructor to supervise each pupil. You may need to advise parents that even though their child has practised cycling on the road, they may not be able to do so independently, depending on their needs

Find more ideas and information in the Department for Transport's document - Delivering inclusive cycle training: A good practice guide for disability cycle training.

This activity supports the Vision Zero target to eliminate death and serious injuries on London’s streets.

Activity steps

1
Choose your trainer
With your PE department and senior management, discuss whether there is someone who can deliver cycling lessons, or if you need external support
2
Further support
If you require training, resources or external delivery support, contact your borough officer to discuss your options
3
Get cycling
Make sure you have a big enough space and, if leaving the school site, an adequate staff/instructor to pupil ratio
4
Check for success
Did your pupils enjoy the lessons? Have more of them started cycling to school as a result?
5
Tell your story
Sign in to TfL Travel for Life to add your story and include pupils’ feedback. Explain the activity and add photos and any posters or promotional materials. Feedback to your borough officer

Tags

  • Cycling
  • Road safety

This activity counts towards:

  • Travel activity

How it helps

  • Supports the PE National Curriculum
  • Gateway to other cycling initiatives

Resources

Useful links, templates and case studies to support this activity