The course, which was developed as part of the Scottish Road Safety Campaign (SRSC), gives the volunteer trainers the skills and knowledge necessary for them to teach safe cycling methods to pupils and associated road safety issues.

The comprehensive course will give the trainers an understanding of:

• Appropriate teaching methods and how to plan the cycle training course
• Cycle training course aims, objectives and content
• The way in which children use bicycles
• Local and national accident information
• Organising playground and on-road practical training
• Bicycle safety checks
• Protective equipment and clothing
• Safety precautions and accident procedures
• Laws relating to cyclists and the guidance given in the Highway Code

Only people who have successfully passed the course will be authorised to carry out cycle training within schools. Each training course will be carried out over several weeks, to enable children to think about what they have learned, complete theory work, and put into practice their cycling skills.

When delivering training within the Council schools the trainers will teach basic control exercises, emergency stops, right and left turns from minor to major roads. All of the exercises that the children will carry out will include safe looking and signalling skills and a general awareness of traffic.

The cycle trainers will be responsible for carrying out an ongoing assessment of the children, and at the end of the course a member of the Council’s Road Safety Training staff will join them to complete a final course assessment for each participant.

Convener of the Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee, Councillor Robert Campbell presented certificates and badges at the Walker Halls in Troon to one group of people who successfully completed the course. He said: “It is great news that so many people connected with the schools are volunteering to take part in the Scottish Cycle Training Scheme.

“The core objective of the Scottish Cycle Training Scheme is to introduce basic skills and knowledge necessary for competent and safe cycling, which I am confident that the volunteer cycle trainers will do.

“Children who are taught by the trainers will have an opportunity to learn a variety of manoeuvres on and off road, along with some theory-based exercises. The cycle training scheme has been designed to give children the skills and knowledge required to cycle safely and responsibly on the road.

“If this type of training prevents one child from being injured or killed while cycling all the training time will have been worthwhile.”

An assessment record, a certificate and a badge will be given to each pupil who successfully completes the training course.

This was the first course to be held by the Council, but several training courses will be held to accommodate the large number of people who have volunteered to become cycle trainers. Annual training sessions will be arranged to keep the trainers up to date with best practice when cycling.

Councillor Robert Campbell pictured with the first group of people who have successfully completed the Scottish Cycle Training Scheme volunteer cycle trainers course in South Ayrshire.

March 2005