Just become a cycle instructor...

[CotterPin]

...Or rather I have finished the first four days of training. Later on there is the accreditation process where you get observed instructing someone.

The course certainly was an eye-opener in many respects:

First of all, there needs to be more training for adults as well as children. Sometimes posts in this forum come down a little hard on cyclists for riding in the dooring zone, or the gutter, but how are they to learn? From friends, partners or other relatives who have already got into bad habits? Or from a little leaflet stuck to the handlebars of their new bike which they never read and which they wouldn't believe anyway? Or from actually experiencing a better way of cycling in the hands of a cycle instructor?

Secondly, I thought I was an experienced and competent cyclist but even I discovered two things (at least) that have made my cycling in busy urban conditions a load better and (hopefully) safer.

One of them I have always tried and I guess many of us on this forum attempt and that is taking the primary position when appropriate.

The other one is regularly looking behind - I never used to do this at all except when I needed to do, eg turning right or changing lane. Now I am constantly looking behind and it is great, obviously, for keeping an eye out on what's going on (and for avoiding any surprises) but possibly more importantly it helps reinforce my primary position on the road. I have noticed (so far) that if I am riding in the primary position and I keep looking back, I get less hassle from drivers behind me.

So I would urge people on this forum to lobby their council to provide adult cycle training - there is oodles of government money around and it is much better value than cycle facilities on the road.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I think I've done this course too if it's the bikeability course. The idea was that we'd pay back the cost of the course by doing thirty hours free training. There don't seem to be many takers though, which is strange because I've heard plenty people say they're not confident cycling on the road.

Personally I don't like taking the primary position too much. I will at places like roundabouts where I don't want anyone doing any weird manouvres in front of me, but otherwise I'm happy to let them pass.

 

[HJ]

Personally I don't like taking the primary position too much. I will at places like roundabouts where I don't want anyone doing any weird manouvres in front of me, but otherwise I'm happy to let them pass.

I never regard taking primary position as a way of stopping drivers from passing, where it is safe to do so they can easily me in the primary position. It is about being visible and discouraging attempts to pass where it is not safe to do so. It is really no different from defensive driving.

 

[Arch]

I think I've done this course too if it's the bikeability course. The idea was that we'd pay back the cost of the course by doing thirty hours free training. There don't seem to be many takers though, which is strange because I've heard plenty people say they're not confident cycling on the road.

The key, presumably, is to make sure those people know there is training. I bet a huge proportion of the public as a whole, or even of new cyclists, don't know about it.

I'm half wondering about doing this myself - mainly because I'll be looking for a job in 6 months, and fancy something that could be flexible (are instructors generally self employed?). I'm not sure though - it might just be the old "can't think what to do, so teach" syndrome...

I reckon I do look back a fair bit, although I could probably do it more - and I try to use primary when appropriate, but again, could be more assertive. As Jock says, there's times when it's fine to let folk by...

 

[summerdays]

The key, presumably, is to make sure those people know there is training. I bet a huge proportion of the public as a whole, or even of new cyclists, don't know about it.

Well I received a newsletter from Bristol City Council to do with the Cycle City status, and it mentions Adult cycle training and workplace training. However I only received it because I'm on my kid's safe routes to school group. Maybe they aren't quite ready to roll it out yet.

 

[magnatom]

Good stuff. I really need to look into this myself.

I would love to get instructor accreditation. How do you go about it? Would I have to go on a basic course first, and then go on an instructors course? How much does it cost, and as Arch says, can you do this self-employed (i.e. in spare time).

Surely there has got to be a market for cycle training with the infamous magnatom. I could use video training aids as well!

 

[summerdays]

There are grants/bursaries towards the cost of the course - not sure who from (CTC ?)

 

[magnatom]

There are grants/bursaries towards the cost of the course - not sure who from (CTC ?)

Mmm. I'll maybe e-mail Cycling Scotland. Their Cycle Trainer course looks interesting.

 

[Auntie Helen]

My husband and I have trained as Bikeability instructors. He's been doing quite a lot of training recently but my Uni course has got in the way; now it's the Easter Hols I've got some lessons lined up.

Uncle James is really enjoying it so far, it's a chance to get outside in the fresh air and do something interesting. He comments, though, that most of the kids' bikes are completely hopeless and they spent almost an hour making them usable before the first lesson.

Our training was heavily subsidised as Colchester has just been awarded Cycle Town status.

 

[CotterPin]

We got funding via our local cycle campaign group.

Bikeability also offer bursaries up to £300: http://www.bikeability.org.uk/professionals/instructor_bursaries.php

All of us our volunteers so we will act primarily as bike buddies, helping new riders cycle to work, although we will also do some more extensive training in a few cases. Part of the plan is to get the council to do more adult cycle training.

I must admit, though, I am thinking a little bit along Arch's lines, although it would be a drastic cut in income for me.

 

[hackbike 666]

I never regard taking primary position as a way of stopping drivers from passing, where it is safe to do so they can easily me in the primary position. It is about being visible and discouraging attempts to pass where it is not safe to do so. It is really no different from defensive driving.

I refrain about posting anything about primary position on here because 98% seem to agree all the time that it's the end to the worlds problems.So it's nice to see someone agrees with me in a way.If there is a determined enough driver they will almost try and get past you at any cost.

 

[thomas]

I refrain about posting anything about primary position on here because 98% seem to agree all the time that it's the end to the worlds problems.So it's nice to see someone agrees with me in a way.If there is a determined enough driver they will almost try and get past you at any cost.

I'd definitely agree that on my route being in primary stops people overtaking in cramped spaces, but doesn't stop them getting past when safe (or if they're desperate).

 

[jmaccyd]

As a driver in London I would also add the look over the shoulder is also an indicator to a following motorist that a cyclist may be considering moving out or turning right, and is therefore of double use

 

[fossyant]

Well - very well done !!!

I believe you can't help out with training at schools unless you've done the course ? - My son will be doing his in a couple of years, but it's something I wouldn't mind getting involved in.

 

[hackbike 666]

I'd definitely agree that on my route being in primary stops people overtaking in cramped spaces, but doesn't stop them getting past when safe (or if they're desperate).

Pinch points? But im a bit nervous of using primary for this as you don't know what sort of comedian you have behind you.Plenty of speeding boy racers on my commute back tonight.