Cycle Training for just £5
Somerset County Council’s Moving Forward team are offering cycle training courses in Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater for a flat fee of just £5.
We have courses suitable for all cyclists, from beginners courses to advanced training for regular cyclists. We will also be running some courses especially for families.
Courses are all held by a qualified instructor in small groups and we can even arrange for your bicycle to be serviced free of charge beforehand.
• Mondays – Control skills. Make sure you are able to handle your bicycle safely and appropriately, including starting, stopping, turning, signalling and looking behind. Held in an off-road area without traffic. The control skills course is aimed at progressing beginner cyclists, those returning to cycling after a break and intermediate cyclists wanting to improve their cycling technique.
• Tuesdays and Wednesdays – On-road cycle skills. 2-evening course covering all the basics of cycling on the road, including road positioning, junctions, turns and smaller roundabouts on light-medium traffic roads. This course is aimed at intermediate cyclists and progressing beginners, plus those wishing to check they are cycling appropriately and safely on the road. To take part in this course, you must be able to control your bicycle properly including while signalling (with either hand) and looking behind – come along on the Monday course if you are not sure! This is a 2-evening course and participants will need to attend both sessions.
• Thursdays – Advanced on-road skills. Dealing with heavier traffic conditions, multi-lane roads and more complex junctions and roundabouts. The Advanced Skills course is aimed at regular cyclists wishing to improve their speed and safety on the road and those progressing from quieter roads to more complex routes.
This programme of training is subsidised by NHS Somerset. There is a flat fee of £5 to participate in the training, regardless of how many sessions you attend (i.e. you can attend a single day for £5, or 2-4 days for the same price).
Most adult training sessions will be run in the early evening (5.30-7pm), though, subject to demand, we may run additional one-day courses at the weekend for adults and families.
Participation will be at your own risk and you will be responsible for your own safety during the course, both on and off the road. Each participant should bring a safe and roadworthy bicycle to ride during the course, plus lights and appropriate clothing (helmets at the discretion of the participant). If you are not sure if your bike is in safe working order, we can arrange for your bicycle to be serviced free of charge before your first session.
The training sessions will be run in Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater, though we may be able to consider other locations subject to demand. Details of locations will be provided once your booking is confirmed.
To register your interest in taking part in the training, or for further information, please contact the Moving Forward team by emailing movingforward@somerset.gov.uk or calling 01823 356033.
Once you have booked on to a course, you can pay your £5 fee over the phone, by cheque or via our online payment system. (this will take you through to the Somerset County Council website for payment.)
