Oxford City Council launches £5 training for adult cyclists

Oxford City Council is partnering with the Broken Spoke Bike Co-op to provide cycle training to adults ranging from those who have never ridden a bike to those who want to gain more confidence riding a bike on the road.

While such sessions are often free elsewhere, there is a fee of £5 for a one- or two-hour session, with the cost kept low thanks to a subsidy from the council.

It says the initiative, based on existing Bikeability courses, has been drawn up after it identified a need for such training last year both for first-time cyclists and those who are nervous about riding in traffic.

The one-to-one training takes place in several locations around the city – details can be found on this page of the Broken Spoke website, which also has a link to book a session.

Councillor Colin Cook, Oxford City Council’s board member for city development, commented: "The subsidised on-road cycle training is part of the wider Oxford Cycle City initiative being led by the City Council which aims to increase cycling and improve the cycling experience in Oxford.

"There are lots of cyclists in Oxford but it can be a bit daunting to cycle on the roads, so this training will help boost people's confidence.

"I am pleased that we are working with Broken Spoke to provide further training for local people to encourage them out on their bikes in 2014."

According to Oxford City Council’s website,

Depending on your previous experience you will initially learn to control and master your bike in an environment away from traffic and then get out on the roads in real traffic situations in Oxford.

On-road cycle training gives you a real cycling experience so that you are able to deal with traffic on short journeys such as cycling to work.

Training is delivered on a one-to-one basis at locations which are convenient for the trainee and is available in one or two-hour sessions on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout early 2014.

To book a personal training session please visit Broken Spoke website.
Sessions will take place on your own bike with your own safety equipment. Wearing a helmet or hi-viz clothing is a personal choice rather than a requirement. A roadworthy bike or lights in low-light conditions are required however.

Trainees learning how to cycle for the first time (level 1A) can be provided with a bike by the Broken Spoke if necessary.

Routine bike checks will be included as part of the training and an initial assessment of cycling experience will be used to adapt the course to the trainee's needs.