Safer Cycling

We want to increase more cycling journeys and make sure that you cycle safely in the city. To help achieve this we are working closely with schools and businesses to provide training for cyclists of all ages.

Why is cycling safety important?

Every year more than 15,000 cyclists are killed or injured in road accidents in the United Kingdom.

We are committed to reducing cycling casualties in our city. Over the last 3 years we are delighted to see that cycling casualties have halved. However, while we are pleased to see casualty figures at our lowest total ever; 41 cycling casualties in 2007- it is still 41 too many.

What are we doing to make cycling safer?

We organise three levels of cyclist training;

• Bike to Basics is a free 2 hour basic training course for seven to nine year olds, carried out on a school playground;
• Bikeability Level 2 Standard is a free eight hour off and on-road training course for ten to 16 year olds and is the 21st Century cycling proficiency
• Adult Cyclist Training for 17 year olds and above. This can range from simply learning to ride to more advanced training suitable for commuting to work. The cost of this service is £10/hour.

Each year many children are trained to ride their bikes more safely through our basic and advanced cyclist training courses. We are proud to train over 1100 children a year to ride their bikes more safely. Through expanding our cyclist training courses we hope the number of cycling casualties in our city is further reduced.

We are committed to more children cycling, more safely, more often in our city. We are delighted that following a recent £48,000 funding success to deliver 'Bikeability' (the new cycling proficiency for the 21st Century), we now will extend our cyclist training courses even further. In 2008/09 we are aiming to train around 2000 children to ride their bikes more safely - nearly double what we currently do !

Where can my child get cyclist training?

The majority of our training courses take place in local schools.  If you need cyclist training for your child, contact us using the details below or speak to the headteacher at your child's school. We are also planning to hold 'cycling with confidence camps' at leisure centres in 2009.

Cycling with Confidence Camps

We are launching our 1st 'Cycling with Confidence Camps' in the New Year starting with Family Cyclist Training.  This basic training course is suitable for both young children and parents and is aimed to encourage more family cycling. It will be particularly useful for children who have just had a brand new bike for Christmas and need to get used to it.  For more details of the training please click on the New Year Cycling with Confidence link on the right.

More Cycling with Confidence Camps are being planned for 2009 which will include:

• Learning to Ride
• Cycling Confidence for Women
• Level 2 (21st Century Cycling Proficiency) Training
• Adult Cyclist Training
• Commuter Confidence Camps

What other services do you provide?

We offer cycling safety displays and provide education in schools.  Resources such as videos, CD-ROMs, teaching packs, posters and leaflets are also available for schools to use.

Where can I cycle in Stoke-on-Trent?

We have around 125 kms of cycle routes: greenways, canal routes, river routes and cycle lanes. We have produced a cycle map and guide for North Staffordshire.  Follow this link for more information.

How can I contact other cyclists in Stoke-on-Trent?

We have set up or are involved in a number of discussion groups and forums involving local cycling groups.  Follow this link to visit our cycling forums web page.

How can I get involved?

We are always looking for people who can help us give training in the city.  If you are interested in becoming a cycling instructor, please contact us using the details below.

Contact us

For further information including training courses in Stoke-on-Trent e-mail transportation@stoke.gov.uk or telephone 01782 232066.