Urban cycle training

We want to see more people cycling, either for leisure or as a means of commuting to work. We also want cyclists to be safe and to improve people’s experience of cycling through our National Standards Cycle Training courses.

The National Cycle Training Standard has been developed by over 20 organisations, and is maintained by the professional body for cycle training, the Cycle Training Standards Board (CTSB). All members of the CTSB, including BikeRight!, are the UK’s leading bodies in road safety and cycling.

By establishing the National Standards, the Government has set out a nationwide, uniform programme of formal training which will reassure those wanting to cycle that they have been instructed in the essential skills and procedures wherever they live in England.

The National Standards are based upon
4 main principles

1. Cycle training should be delivered in realistic conditions
2. Train people in such a way that they can understand the parameters of cycling in traffic and make the decisions themselves.
3. Increasing complexity both of outcomes, training venues and environment.
4. Not to give strict guidelines on how to perform manoeuvres.

Cycle training overview

Our courses are based upon the National Standards for cycle training which are split in to easy to understand levels each with clear aims and outcomes. The training takes place in actual road conditions and we would aim to deliver the courses at or near to places of work. Urban cycling (level 3) training typically takes half a day with a group of 6 to 12 people.

Techniques and skills

  • On road theory with advanced road work being undertaken
  • The cycle as a vehicle
  • Positioning and observation
  • Busier roads
  • Complex turns, roads and junctions
  • Roundabouts
  • Signal controlled junctions
  • Filtering
  • Using cycling facilities
  • Different types of cycle and their purpose
  • Keeping a bicycle roadworthy
  • Clothing for cycling
  • Relevant accessories

More information can be found on our Cycle Training pages

The CTSB

The Cycle Training Standards Board (CTSB) was formed in February 2007 by the Department for Transport as the custodian body of the National Standards for Cycle Training. CTSB logo

The National Standards are the Government approved standards for cycle training.