Bikeability Level 3 Cycle Safety Training
Dear Parent/Carer,
Re: Bikeability Level 3 Cycle Safety Training
I am writing to you as your child has expressed an interest in taking part in a fantastic FREE opportunity on offer at Hans Price Academy in Term 1.
As part of the schools Active Travel Plan we aim to raise awareness and create opportunities for young people to travel actively and safely to and from school. We know that this will benefit the whole school community.
To give young people the confidence to travel actively we are offering Bikeability Level 3 training. The training is free of charge (funded by North Somerset Council) and will be led by Life Cycle UK (www.lifecycleuk.org.uk). Students will be released from normal classes to take part in the session.
What is Bikeability Level 3 Training?
Level 3 training is fun and suitable for children at secondary school and covers dealing with hazards, making ‘on-the-move’ risk assessments and planning routes for safer cycling. Training will happen on the school site then away from the school site in the local area progressing to busier and more challenging road situations including tackling roundabouts, traffic lights and dual lane roads.
Once students have completed their Bikeability Level 3 qualification green badge, they will be able to cycle almost anywhere, and:
- Make a trip to school, work or elsewhere on any roads
- Use complex junctions and road features such as roundabouts, multi-lane roads and traffic lights
- Understand driver blind spots
- Know how (and when) to pass queuing traffic
- Identify and react to hazardous road surfaces
- Plan a safe cycling route
- Interpret road signs
I want my child to take part in this opportunity – What do I do?
- Ask your child to collect and return the consent form from School Reception by: Friday 30th September.
At home complete the bike M-Check and ensure your child’s bike is safe and ready for their session.
What equipment do I need?
- On the day of their allocated session, students need to bring their appropriate BIKE and HELMET and bike lock. Bikes can be securely stored in the school bike shed until needed.
- A healthy snack and still drink (no energy drinks) can be brought in a small rucksack if needed.
What should I wear?
- The weather is expected to be changeable please prepare accordingly.
- Students should wear warm clothes and a waterproof coat, gloves and sturdy footwear such as PE trainers. They should be in school uniform for the part of the day that they are not cycling.
Session times
- Session are taking place on 4th and 5th October over 2 sessions. You will be notified separately if your child has secured a place and on what day they will be training
- There are 4 spaces per session as, for safety, the instructor ratio is 1:3.
- Sessions run for 2.5 hour
Safety
- All instructors are approved and accredited to work with young people in this capacity. Full risk assessments have been carried out and the instructor participant ratio is particularly high to support the cycling activity.
On the day
- Students should meet the Bikeability Team at reception. The direct line number for this office is below should you need to contact someone in school on the day of the event.
- This activity will go ahead in MOST WEATHERS (including rain). Learning to cycle in all weathers is part of being a ready cyclist able to deal with the challenges of the road. Being able to navigate more challenging conditions will prepare the group for a normal journey to school. Please bear this in mind and prepare your child accordingly.
- Whilst the Academy are facilitating this opportunity, your child will be the responsibility of the Bikeability Team during the activity. As such the details you provide will be shared with the adult leaders.
I hope that your child gains a great deal of confidence from this excellent opportunity. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this letter, please contact Mrs Bradley at the academy.
Yours sincerely
Mrs K Bradley
