You may not be aware, but the Slipstreamers awards programme of Bronze, Silver and Gold is the envy of many other Go-Ride clubs across the country. The coaching syllabus allows us to constantly monitor and evaluate rider progress against a set of repeatable outcomes – which in turn allows us to produce safe, confident riders with great bike handling skills. We also have a lot of fun along the way. Unfortunately, our club training is not recognised outside of the club. To address this and to ensure that our riders achieve National Standard training, after a lot of hard work and effort from our Head Coach and the team, Hillingdon Slipstreamers have become a registered Bikeability provider. Read on to find out what this means for you…
What is Bikeability?
Bikeability is a mark of quality and commitment to teaching an important life-skill, and is the only nationally recognised cycle training award scheme. Slipstreamers have submitted detailed plans of our existing and planned training schemes, which in turn have been successfully registered for Bikeability because the policies and procedures we have in place have been proven to meet the Bikeability standard. There is more information on the Bikeability website here.
Bikeability operates a three tier award system covering different levels of the National Standard for Cycling (which replaced the “Cycling Proficiency” award scheme):
- Level 1 – Playground skills
- Level 2 – On-road awareness and safety skills
- Level 3 – Advanced road skills
What does this mean for our riders?
Our goal is to offer this opportunity to those that need it so that all riders reaching 11 years old have had some on-road training and have met the required National Standard. Here is how Slipstreamers can benefit…
Bronze Development for Level 1
Red – Level 1: All our riders who take part in Bronze Award training can also elect to take part in a Bikeability Level 1 assessment at the same time if you would like to. Our Bronze Award covers far more outcomes than the Bikeability award, so we are confident that if your school does not offer you the chance to reach Bikeability Level 1, you can achieve it through the Club. This would be over and above your Bronze assessment, and there is no minimum age – so whether you are 5 or 8 or 10, and are interested, let us know.
Orange – Level 2: One of the prerequisites to attending a Slipstreamers Club Run (for over 12’s), on the road, is to have completed the Bikeability Level 2 award. Equally, if you are in Year 6 and wanting to ride to school on the road, it is highly recommended you take part in Bikeability. Again, if your school does not offer Bikeability training or you missed it when it was offered, we can arrange a training course for you through the Club. Unlike Level 1 a bit more planning would go into these and sessions would be arranged to meet demand – so if you have reached secondary school and not obtained Level 2 Bikeability we would like to hear from you. The training would consist of at least 3 x 2 hour training sessions on the road and participants would have to commit to all of these.
Green – Level 3: This award is generally aimed at older riders who have completed a Level 2 award but feel they need a bit more on-the-road training in more challenging traffic situations. As per Level 2 courses would be arranged via the Club, but these would tend to be on a more 1:1 or 1:2 basis rather than in a group.
On completion and passing of each level, a rider is awarded a certificate and badge that they can show off and wear with pride!
Where and when would training take place?
Level 1 would be at the Club and form part of your Bronze Award training, so these would take place during a normal Saturday session. Levels 2 and 3 would be delivered on the road away from the Club and would have to be arranged outside of a Saturday morning session – so these would either be on Saturday afternoons, Sundays or weekday evenings.
Qualified NSI Coaches Dave, Brent & Sam
What does it cost?
Slipstreamers already has a number of registered National Standard Instructors in volunteer roles which means we can resource courses for our members ourselves. There is no charge for members wishing to complete a Bikeability level – one of the many perks of being a Slipstreamers member – but we would expect that once signed up to a course, that the commitment to complete this is followed through. Full guidelines and conditions will be provided to those who express an interest.
What are the next steps?
If you would like to attend a Level 2 or 3 course, or take Level 1 with your Bronze Assessment, please register your interest with the Admin team either via email or in person during a Saturday session. As ever, if you have any questions please talk to Dave George or a member of the Admin team.