Post on 19-Jan-2015
description
Cyclist training and education
Kevin Mayne, Development Director ECF
ECF gratefully acknowledges financial support from the European Commission.
Contents
• Where we started – 2007 presentation from Velo-city
• 2012 Update
How the development of cyclist training courses
benefits cycling and cycling promoters
Shared experience from the UK and Switzerland
Contents• CTC’s UK experience • IG Velo’s Swiss experience• Methodology• Comparisons
– Development of course contents• By level of cycling skill• By type of client• For instructors
– The benefits of cyclist training• To cycling policy• To host organisations
– Developing resources for new cycle training schemes
• Conclusions
UK - History• First schemes 1930s• Offroad child scheme
1940s-1990s– 300,000 annual participants – Almost entirely road danger
focussed
• Adult cycle training scheme 2003– Trip focussed– Merged with child on road
scheme 2005
• Significant government funding for change 2005-8
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
Participants
Communities
Switzerland 1996-2006
Methodology
• Two schemes developed in isolation
• Information sharing via ECF
• Common ground– 3 level scheme
• Comparison – Best practice– Common transferable experience
Comparison – Course Content – Skills
IG Velo Switzerland CTC - UK
1st Level A: “Cycling in safe surroundings”
•Traffic free
Level 1. “Basic skills of cycling.”
•Off road
2nd Level B: “First rides”
•Safe surroundings, quiet streets
Level 2: “Introduction to road cycling”
•Low levels of traffic
3rd Level C “Riding in city traffic”
•Busy streets
Level 3. “Road cycling trips”
•All conditions - sharing roads
Comparison Course Content – Clients
IG Velo Switzerland CTC - UK
Younger Children
Complementary schemes
School – basic skills
IG Velo – riding on streets
Recognises changes of journey type at different ages
Level 2 = Primary school
Parents Theory and observation at children’s lessons
Teenagers Reminders about good skills Level 3 designed for teenagers and adults
Adults –Moving to the countryside–Re-starting after a break–Accompanying children–Elderly–Mostly women
-Health improvement-Rehabilitation -Fitness-Promotion of social inclusion -Cycle maintenance & rides.
-Majority female
Learning by example
Comparison – Course Content - Instructors
IG Velo Switzerland CTC - UK
Objectives Guiding children & parents in groups. Right theory and behaviour
Creating accredited, insured instructors experienced transport cyclists
Materials Handbooks Manuals
Training 3 levels Single 4 day course
Quality assurance Audit by Swiss Traffic Security Council
Created an independent Cycle Training Standards Board
Switzerland UK
Support Give knowledge
Reduce anxiety
Empowerment for potential cyclists
Safety Teaching the right way
Reducing casualties
Popularity Repeated participation
Link - recreational and utility cycling
Image improvement Trained cyclists are a good image for cycling
Deals with negative and illegal behaviours of cyclists
Comparison –Benefits to cycling
IG Velo Switzerland CTC - UK
Building Relationships State authorities, other cycle organisations
From lobbyist to strategic partner
Branding Image advantage Media friendly - great images
Consumer profile Potential customers /members
Changes range of cycling activities offered
Income generating Employers Government funds
Lobbying Working with new partners
Changing emphasis – from danger to trips
Comparison - Benefits to host organisations
Comparison –Creating resources
IG Velo - Switzerland CTC - UK
Services for new and existing training schemes
Materials
Web site
Courses
4 module scheme for setting up new courses•Introductions•Visits•Mentoring•Training
Materials
Web site
Courses
Professional support
Helpline•Consultancy•Capacity Building scheme•Government grants & bursaries
Conclusions• Training is popular, cheap and effective• Safety, promotion and cyclist behaviour at the
same time• Can focus on children, families and new
cyclists • Can cater for children and adults• 3 level schemes meet all needs• Instructor training is the cornerstone• Organisations that promote training gain
significant benefits • Support for knowledge transfer from IG Velo
and CTC
Contents
• Where we started – 2007 presentation from Velo-city
• 2012 Update
2012: UK
• Adopted across the UK• Government budgets €50 Million for
Bikeability lessons 2011-2015• 500,000 children per year trained to make
trips by bike • 5000+ trained and paid instructors• 50% of delivery through organisations and
social businesses linked to advocacy sector
• Strengthening more advocacy – Ministerial influence
2012 - International
• Hungary• Portugal• Estonia• Belgium• Denmark• Netherlands• Canada
Conclusion?