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Cycle training

We offer cycle training courses to give people the skills and confidence to cycle more often for leisure and work.

Our courses

Our range of courses for adults (17 years+) suit most requirements, from total beginners to experienced cyclists:

  • Learn to ride – for beginners and riders wanting to improve their bike handling and confidence. Our aim is to get you riding confidently.
  • Confident road cycling - to give you the skills and confidence to cycle safely on the road.
  • Introduction to electric cycles (e-bikes) - to learn more about your electrically assisted cycle, or try one of ours before you buy.
  • Electric cycle (e-bike) confident road riding - having completed the introduction to electric cycles course, this course will enable you to ride your e-bike efficiently and safely on the road.

Only courses with places available are visible on the booking platform.

If you can't find a course to suit you, email us at cycletraining@kent.gov.uk.

Course locations

Our courses are offered at venues across Kent, which all have parking on site or nearby, and all offer cycle and helmet hire as required.

Electric cycle (E-Bike) courses are currently available at Ashford, Deal, Gravesend and Maidstone.

Book a cycle training course

To view or manage an existing booking, log in to your account.

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 by the school. To get cycle training at your school, please ask the school to book a school course. Read the terms and conditions (PDF, 134.6 KB) for children taking part in Bikeability training.

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 £21,389 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.

Overview

To deliver cycle training, you must hold a Level 2 Award in Instructing Cycle Training. The award covers the theory and practice of teaching children and adults to cycle safely and confidently on the road.

1st4Sport is the awarding body appointed by the Bikeability Trust to manage this training for new instructors. We are proud to be a recognised delivery centre for the Level 2 Award.

Before you apply

To become an accredited cycle instructor you must be:

  • at least 16 years of age
  • affiliated to an organisation registered with the Bikeability Trust to deliver Bikeability training
  • able to confidently cycle to the National Standard on roads
  • be physically able to cycle and stand for several hours during training days
  • able to understand, speak, read and write in English.

For the practical phases, you will need to wear a helmet and have your own bicycle. If you don't have your own bicycle, there may be a spare you can borrow for the course.

Course content

On successful completion of your assessment, you will be a fully qualified cycle instructor. The course includes:

  • pre-course distance learning modules (online)
  • 3 days of theory and practical phases at a training venue in Kent
  • access to 1st4Sport’s online learning platform for written assignments and assessments
  • off-course delivery of Bikeability training with your organisation
  • a post-course assessment, usually completed within 6 to 12 months.

Cost of the training

The course is £900, which includes:

  • initial registration with 1st4Sport
  • training materials
  • mentoring and support from our training team
  • one post-course assessment within Kent*.

If unsuccessful, the cost to repeat your post-course assessment within Kent is £150.

* For post-course assessments outside of Kent, an additional charge to cover our assessors travel and time costs will need to be negotiated prior to booking the assessment.

A bursary from The Bikeability Trust is available, to subsidise the training of Instructors associated with a registered Bikeability Training Provider. This will discount your initial course fee to £600, which will be reimbursed to you as two payments of £300 as you progress through your training to full qualification.

If you are successful in the post-course assessment, the bursaries will allow you to train at no cost to you.

Apply for the course

To book your place:

We will email you full details of the course.

For more information or to ask any questions around specific needs or adjustments, email bikeability@kent.gov.uk.