CAN's Vision

To see cycle skills training available to every New Zealander who wishes to ride safely and with confidence on our roads.

Bikeability

Bikeability is CAN's brand for cycle skills training. Our programme follows New Zealand's cycle skills guidelines, which are based on the UK's Bikeability cycling skills courses. 

Waiheke Bikeability cycle training, May 2010

Cycle Training Network

• Learning how to cycle properly makes cycling more enjoyable and safer for everyone – children, adults and other road users.
• CAN’s network of professional cycling trainers aims to promote best practice cycle training, based on the New Zealand cycle skills guidelines.

What is cycle skills training?

Whatever your age, ability or background, cycle skills training offers something for everyone – whether you cannot ride a bike at all, are returning to cycling after a break or are a regular cyclist who wants to develop their skills further..

Cycle training works

An evaluation of the Christchurch City Council’s Cycle Safe Programme showed that trained students were significantly more likely to ride their cycles to school after completing training.

Cyclists trained by Cycle Training UK were surveyed on how the training had affected their cycle use. 81% said that they now cycled more often and more confidently.

CAN Bikeability Instructor's Guide

CAN has produced a guide for instructors. It includes lesson plans, road layout diagrams, and how to set up a training course.

Looking for a cycle trainer?

Contact us: cycletraining [at] can [dot] org [dot] nz and we can put you in touch with a trainer in your area.

Links
Whangarei: Ruth Jarman and Sport Northland
Auckland: Cycle Action Auckland, Bigfoot Adventures, Megan at Pier Bike Hire
Whakatane: Cycle Action Whakatane
Whanganui: Green Bikes Whanganui
Manawatu: Cycle Aware Manawatu
Wellington: Cog Cycling, Gail Rawlinson
Nelson: UpCycle
Cycle Safe Christchurch
The Bike Challenge, Canterbury
Invercargill: Cycle Skills training via WEA

Discussion forum

Join our discussion forum.

1. visit http://can.org.nz
2. select 'new user' at bottom right
3. follow the instructions.
4. tick the box at 'Join Cycle Training Network.'

You don't have to be a CAN member to join the network - although of course I'd recommend it. Contact cycletraining [at] can [dot] org [dot] nz if you have any questions. 

The aim of this forum is to share best practice and discuss issues related to teaching people to ride bikes.

About national guidelines for cycle training

In a project led by New Zealand Transport Agency, national guidelines are being introduced. CAN is on the advisory group.

Recommended reading:

Cyclist skills training (PDF, 1.84 MB, 107 pages, Sept 2008) - a guide for the set-up and delivery of cyclist training in New Zealand.
Cyclist skills training guide summary (PDF, 221 KB)
Cyclist skills training newsletter - a series of newsletters to update you on progress on the development of cyclist skills training in New Zealand.

About us

CAN members Marilyn Northcotte and Patrick Morgan are experienced, qualified cycle skills trainers. They have been teaching cycling skills to adults and children for more than 10 years.

Marilyn says she's keen to get more people cycling more often. Her background includes teaching Kiwi Cycling courses, managing Go By Bike Day events, consulting on cycle training, and running high performance cycling programmes …

CAN project manager Patrick is on a mission to share the fun and convenience of cycling. In 2007 he completed instructor training from Cycle Training UK. He has co-authored mountain bike guidebooks, written a guide for cycle-friendly employers, and led cycle tours. Patrick led the development of CAN's Bikeability cycle training programme. He has run courses for local government and cycling groups in Waiheke, Palmerston North, Kapiti, Lower Hutt and Wellington, training everyone from complete beginners to upskilling cycle trainers.

Cyclist skills training - New Zealand guidelines

Complete beginner

In summary, the trainee should be able to do the following core skills consistently as a prerequisite to grade 1:
• get on and off the bike without help
• start off and pedal without help for roughly one minute or more
• stop without help
• steer the bike to where they want to go.

Grade 1: beginner

Outcome
The trainee cyclist can demonstrate full control of their bicycle while carrying out all-round observation, signalling and manoeuvring. They will not yet have been observed using these skills on the road and in traffic.

Overview
• 3 hours in total
• non-traffic environment (eg playground, netball court)
• trainee to instructor maximum ratio of 30 to 1 (theory) and 15 to 1 (practical)
• cycle skills exercises to promote confidence and safe bike handling
• 8+ years old (year 4)
• equipment needed: at least 20 cones, whiteboard, clipboard, flash cards (where available), basic toolkit and bike pump, first aid kit.

Core skills for grade1
The trainee should be able to do the following core skills consistently for grade 1:
• carry out a bike check
• carry out a helmet check
• understand the legal requirements and safety equipment for bicycles
• get on and off the bike without help
• start off and pedal without help
• stop quickly and with control
• steer the bike where they want to go
• look behind
• signal – stop, left and right
• using the gears.

Grade 2: skills to ride in traffic

Outcome
The trainee cyclist can safely perform manoeuvres and turns in a variety of traffic environments.
They will be able to choose options to deal with minor hazards and demonstrate this in practice.
They will show good understanding of traffic awareness and road positioning in these traffic environments.

Overview
• 7–8 hours in total (30 minutes theory and 6 hours on-road)
• Trainee to instructor maximum ratio of 30 to 1 (theory) and 6 to 1 (practical)
• Cycle skills sufficiently developed to deal with a variety of traffic situations
• 10+ years old (year 6)
• Equipment required – whiteboard, safety vests, clipboard, flash cards, basic toolkit and bike pump, first aid kit, mobile phone

Core skills for grade 2
The trainee should be able to demonstrate the following core skills consistently for grade 2:
• achieve all grade 1 core skills
• recall an understanding of road signs and the road rules
• start from side of road (kerb)
• stop on side of road (kerb)
• ride along the road
• pass a parked or slower moving vehicle
• turn left – at a controlled and uncontrolled intersection
• turn right – at a controlled and uncontrolled intersection
• travelling straight through controlled and uncontrolled intersections.

Grade 3: skills to ride in advanced traffic situations

Outcome
The trainee cyclist understands and can demonstrate a full range of skills to cycle safely and confidently in all traffic environments.

Overview
• 2 (minimum) - 8 hours, depending on requirements.
• Trainee to instructor ratio 6 to 1 (maximum), recommended 2 to 1
• Training takes place in more challenging traffic environments, such as heavier traffic, higher speeds and multi-lane intersections
• 12+ years old (Year 8)
• Equipment needed – safety vests, clipboard, flash cards

Core skills for grade 3
The trainee should be able to demonstrate the following core skills consistently for grade 3:
• all of the grade 2 core skills
• roundabouts (multi-lane)
• traffic-signal controlled intersections
• multi-laned roads – turning into and out of
• overtaking to the start of the queue
• recognising hazards and being a assertive but safe confident cyclist
• rural cycling in high-speed traffic environments.