Bike to School Week (27 September – 1 October) is a week-long event that is celebrated across the UK to encourage families to cycle and scoot to school. It's a great way to celebrate the huge benefits an active school run brings including the positive impact on children’s health, wellbeing as well as the environment.
To support schools throughout Bike to School Week, there's a range of resources available on the Sustrans website: Bike to School Week - Sustrans.org.uk. Please use these to promote the event to both students and parents.
We’ve been really encouraged to see many more students cycling to school recently, and we support all efforts to increase this whilst ensuring the safety of our children on the roads. One of the most important safeguards when encouraging pupils to cycle to school is professional Bikeability cycle training, which is delivered free in schools for children in year 5-9, by our training partners BikeRight!
We are delighted to remind you that we are now able to book Advanced Bikeability Level 3 for year 7, 8 and 9 for the Autumn 2021 term. The training will continue in the different format but will still cover all the required outcomes to ensure your pupils learn how to ride safely on local roads. Please see attached leaflet for more details.
We are all very aware of managing risk in this current climate and we want to reassure your staff, parents and pupils that every effort is made to ensure the training adheres to all current social distancing and hygiene guidelines. All training is outside so immediately risk is reduced. Groups will be much smaller and the training will only be one day.
The course will be for one day for 12 riders with two instructors. The first session will consist of six riders for two hours in the morning session, followed by the second group of six riders in the afternoon session. The training takes place on more advanced roads with complex road junctions so the riders must have completed Level 2 Bikeability to attend.
You may have more than one course but only one per day to keep groups small and each course must have 12 pupils attending to proceed.
The pupils need to be able to ride a bike and bring along their own bike and helmet which cannot be shared. You’ll also need to notify us if any pupil is at increased risk of COVID 19 or has someone in their household who is at increased risk.
Our instructors have been trained to run Bikeability courses in this new environment and have strict hygiene protocols. However, if your school has any additional safeguards please do let the training company know in advance of the training.
There are currently dates available from November 2021 through to March 2022. Please contact our training provider BikeRight! to check availability and for more information. Cheshire West and Chester (bikeright.co.uk)
To support Bike to School week Cheshire West and Chester is also offering free Family cycle training sessions bespoke for each individual family to help with riding skills and knowledge. The session which must include one adult will help people living in the same household to cycle together. The training will enable families to plan enjoyable group rides, switch from driving to cycling the school run, help other family members to develop their cycling skills and grow their confidence. Please promote these sessions to families. Details can be found on: Cheshire West and Chester (bikeright.co.uk)
