Cycle training
We offer cycle training courses to give people the skills and confidence to cycle more often for leisure and work.
Learn to Ride
If you want to learn how to ride a bike, or need more confidence and wish to learn in a safe, off-road location at your own pace, then this is the course for you.
Our aim is to get you riding without assistance, which is likely to take more than 1 session. Each session runs for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
We have bicycles and helmets available for hire.
Course locations
- County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ
- Cyclopark, Watling Street, Gravesend, DA11 7NPThe Boating Pool Café, Royal Esplanade, Ramsgate, CT11 0HE
- KCC Highways, Javelin way, Henwood Industrial estate, Ashford TN24 8AD
- St Johns park, Beltring Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9UA
- The Riverside Youth Centre, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7PH
- West Faversham Community Centre, Bysing Wood Road, Faversham, ME13 7RH
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Confident Road Cycling
This course is aimed at those who can ride a bicycle but want to gain more confidence before taking to the road. You can hire bicycles and helmets if you don't have your own.
The course will improve your cycling abilities and give you the skills and knowledge to share the road safely with other users.
Each course runs for approximately 2 hours.
Course locations
- KCC Highways, Javelin way, Henwood Industrial estate, Ashford TN24 8AD
- County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ
- Cyclopark, Watling Street, Gravesend, DA11 7NP
- The Boating Pool Café, Royal Esplanade, Ramsgate, CT11 0HE
- St Johns park, Beltring Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9UA
- The Riverside Youth Centre, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7PH
Advanced Cycling
For those of you cycling regularly on the road, and wanting to increase your cycle mileage, perhaps by commuting to work in the future. This intensive course will advance your cycling onto busy roads and through complex junctions including roundabouts and multi-lane systems.
Each course runs for approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Find out more about cycle safety (PDF, 286.5 KB).
Introduction to Electric Cycles (E-Bikes)
Do you want to try before you buy an electrically assisted cycle (E-bike) or to gain more confidence on your E-bike before taking to the road? Either way this is the course for you. Run in a safe, off-road location and at your pace. Electric bikes are available for hire.
Course location
Electric Cycle (E-Bike) Confident Road Riding
A course for those who can ride an electric cycle but want the skills, knowledge and confidence to take to the road. It also provides an opportunity to try an E-bike in the traffic environment, after you have completed our 'Introduction to E-Bikes' course.
Course location
We provide cycle training courses at primary and secondary schools across Kent for children in year 5 and above. Our Bikeability courses give children the skills and confidence to ride a bike safely on the road.
Bikeability courses are booked direct by the school. To get cycle training at your school, please ask the school to book a school course.
For more information on Bikeability email bikeability@kent.gov.uk.
For more information on safe cycling, visit the Kent Road Safety website.
As the largest cycle training provider in the county we are seeking to recruit additional people to our team of instructors, who are all employed on a part-time basis to deliver Bikeability courses to schools, and adult cycling courses.
About the course
The courses you will be required to deliver cover:
- level 1 bike handling skills (off road)
- levels 2 and 3 riding on the road and in traffic
- a variety of adult cycle training activities.
Students range in age from children at year 5 to adults.
Training is delivered all year round but summer months are busier than winter months.
Teamwork and professionalism are important in this role, and you must be a confident and experienced cyclist.
Pay
The salary is £17,498 pro rata, once you are fully qualified. In addition to this you will be paid travelling expenses and holiday pay.
You need to be in a position to offer at least 8 days availability per month.
The amount of work available varies depending on the location and current demand, but we aim to give instructors opportunities to work throughout the year as far as possible.
Unfortunately we cannot guarantee a minimum amount of work. Training is delivered across the county, so your ability and willingness to travel as as necessary is important.
Teamwork and professionalism are important in this role. You must be at least 18 years of age, and a confident cyclist on the road.
Apply
To apply please email your full name and address to Cycletraining@kent.gov.uk.
The mandatory qualification required for Bikeability cycle instructors is the Level 2 Award In Instructing Cycle Training.
The course covers the theory and practice of teaching children and adults to cycle with safety and confidence.
Cycle instructor accreditation is managed by the national body 1st4Sport.
We are proud to be a Recognised Delivery Center for the Level 2 Award.
Apply
To become an accredited cycle instructor:
- use our form to register with 1st4Sport and book a training course
- attend our 4 day training course
- complete online assessment and upload evidence of learning
- pass a Post Course Assessment (PCA) within 6 months.
Cost
The full cost of the cycle instructor training is £600.
This includes registration with 1st4Sport, assessment and course materials.
Requirements
To begin a cycle instructor course you must be:
- at least 18 years old
- able to cycle to Level 3 standard
- fit enough to cycle for several hours a day
- able to speak, read, write and understand English.
Content
The course contains 5 modules:
- Understand the role and responsibilities of the Cycle Training Instructor.
- Plan Cycle Training and Assessment
- Deliver Cycle Training and Assessment
- Reviewing cycle training and assessment
- Plan to improve professional practice.