WARRINGTON Borough Council is urging people to turn to pedal power after teaming up with Bikeright of Manchester to offer free cycle training to anyone over 16!
Whether you’re a beginner, someone returning to cycling after a few years break, a commuter who is nervous about busy roads or just want to improve your technique, this new cycle training scheme is for you.
The courses are designed to get you on your bike so you can enjoy cycling and its benefits such as improved health, more energy, and savings to your travel costs.
Training includes: Learning how to cycle if you are a complete beginner, about road positioning and how to be seen by other traffic, finding great cycling routes for your everyday journeys around Warrington and tips for riding at night-time or in bad weather.
There are also tips on safety, clothing and other equipment, bike maintenance and how to deal with busy traffic.
Councillor Linda Dirir, (pictured right) executive board member for highways, transportation and climate change, said:”This scheme is a great opportunity for more people to get cycling, whether its just for fun or to make a healthier and greener commute to work. The free training will also help ensure cyclists are safe and that more people feel confident
enough to get on their bikes for everyday journeys.”
All the training is delivered by fully accredited instructors and courses are based in and around Victoria Park on Tuesday afternoons and Saturdays.
To book your place contact Bikeright either via their website: www.bikeright.co.uk/freewheeling or by telephoning 0161 230 7007.
8 Comments
Will that include telling and showuing cyclists to use cycle lanes which have been installed for them and not to use the roads where these exist?
No, it won’t! It will discuss choosing the safest routes, but cyclists have every right to cycle on the roads (except motorways, obviously). Perhaps WBC should offer training to car drivers about how to drive safely, and not endanger other road-users, including pedestrians.
Surely the safest route is the cycle lane as that is what they are designed for? I reckon that cyclists won’t use cycle lanes (especially the ones down Cromwell Avenue) because it means they have to stop and start at the intersections and would rather tear along two abreast in traffic; putting themselves and other road users at risk. Why else would cyclists not use a cycle lane? I don’t drive on a footpath or across a field because I think it might be the safest option; I stick to the facilities specifically designed for driving on….. You may also note Jill that car drivers pass a test and one of the first things they teach you is not to drive on footpaths and not to run people over………….car drivers are also subject to having insurance and a roadworthy machine (well at least one day a year when the MOT is due) unlike cyclists who have no such impediments against them
Jill Bolton. Can you please explain to us just how a cycle lane is not safe and why they were installed at great cost?
Youngsters, teenagers especially, need to be taught some road sense when riding their bikes on or near roads….. alas I can’t imagine many aged between 16 and 20 actually bothering to going on this free course which is a shame. I’d love to ride a bike again but even if someone showed the the new ‘safe’ way to ride on our busy roads I still wouldn’t do it as I wouldn’t feel safe. I was on the same road as two ‘expert’ looking cyclists the other day from Bridge Foor all the way upto Winwick. They had bright yellow clothing and helmets on too which was good and they were very visible but they kept weaving around the grids and potholes etc at HIGH speeds . Whilst they were clearly proficient in their cycling and very confident indeed I spent half my time watching them to try and determine their next move, lane swaps. swerves or undertakes … they were actually distracting me and probably many others from everything else on the road at the time. Maybe brake lights and indicators could be fitted to bikes so that the riders intentions are clear to all or coverings on lowered drain covers to keep them at the same level as the road so they don’t have to swerve in and out……….Anyway cycling training is a good thing so I’m not knocking it and I’m sure a lot can be learned from it which may even save someones life.
Having just dusted my bike off after a lengthy lay-off, this is just what I needed so have signed up.
Looking at a charity bike ride next year so need to get proficient- will be good to get some proper training too.
Will use cycle lanes and also be out with the big boys on the road not the pavement. look out for me- i’m the one that sits at red lights waiting for them to change.
Silver Surfer, I didn’t make myself clear – sorry! I was responding to Baz’s suggestion that cyclists must not use the road if there’s a cycle lane.
The Highway Code states: “Use of cycle lanes is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer”. I agree!
……………..”i’m the one that sits at red lights waiting for them to change.”………. you always were a rebel Kev!!