Cycling WA

Be Active Bike Skills

Learning to ride a bike is an excellent way for children and adults to gain skills that promote a happier, healthier and more physically active lifestyle. Cycling is a fun activity that can be enjoyed throughout all stages of life whether it be for recreation, transport, or sporting activity.

Be Active Bike Skills, supported by our major sponsor Healthway as well as the RAC and WestCycle, aims to provide quality bicycle education to schools and community groups while promoting the message to 'Be Active Cycle Instead'. This program is presented by Cycling WA using our registered AustCycle Teachers and AustCycle Skills Coaches. AustCycle is the first nationally recognised bicycle education framework in Australia. To find out more about AustCycle click here. 

What we can offer?

Using the AustCycle bicycle education framework Be Active Bike Skills is designed to improve a rider's confidence and bike handling skills in an enjoyable and safe environment. Over a series of sessions riders are introduced to bike safety, bike handling, and basic bike maintenance skills helping people ride better, more often and more safely. See our delivery options below.

	Bike Skills Courses Be Active Bike Skills can come to your school, workplace or organisation to deliver bike skills courses catered to your needs. Generally courses are 6hrs in duration and are delivered over a series of 1-2hr sessions (e.g. 6x1hr sesssion, 3 x 2hr session). These courses are all delivered using the nationally recognised AustCycle framework.  Courses cover bike handling skills, helmet and clothing safety checks and road awareness training at beginner, intermediate or advanced levels. This type of course is suitable for children and adults and can be adapted to suit varying abilities. For more information on each level see 'Training Levels' below.
	Bike Skills Workshops Can't fit in a full length bike skills course? Contact us to coordinate a bike skills workshop! Workshops are ideal for community, school or workplace events and can be customised to include particular cycling topics or safety themes. Workshops usually run for 1-2 hrs. Workshops are designed to cover basic bike and helmet safety checks as well as having some fun refreshing those bike handlings skills with some practical activities. Suitable for groups of up to approximately 50 people.
	Bike Maintenance Workshops Our maintenance workshops are a perfect compliment to the skills courses or workshops. Learn how to change a tyre, clean your chain and to care for and identify basic problems with your bike. Maintenance workshops can either be demonstrations style (approx 1hr) or more hands on (approx 3hrs). You can also hire our friendly and very handy mechanics to assist at your cycling events where they can provide basic maintenance advice and services.

Benefits of Be Active Bike Skills

Be Active Bike Skills ensures quality bicycle education by delivering the first nationally accredited bicycle education in Western Australia, AustCycle.

Teaching road bike safety skills gives participants the opportunity to ride their bikes to and from school, work and other destinations while assisting to improve fitness levels, gain a sense of independence and improve alertness and concentration.

Cycling for transport also helps to reduce road congestion and makes for a healthier environment.

We ensure all cyclists participating in our programs will have improved cycling skills and gain a better understanding of bike safety in a fun environment resulting in an overall improvement in quality of life.

What are the costs?

Cycling WA offers a range of packages for schools and community groups to complete the bike skills courses and workshops. For bike skills courses, AustCycle and Cycling WA recommend a minimum of 6 hours training for each of the AustCycle Levels and sessions of 1-2 hours per group. 

Packages may be developed to suit your groups needs. School packages are based on $5-10 per student per hour. For all delivery options please contact Cycling WA to request a quote or discuss further.  Email us at cyclingwadevelopment@cycling.org.au  or call 08 9328 3422.

* Please Note: There is a minimum 2 hour visit for school groups.

How do I make a booking?

Simply fill out the booking form available at the link below. Send your booking form to Cycling WA at cyclingwadevelopment@cycling.org.au, fax to 08 9228 8533 or mail to PO BOX 481, Leederville, WA 6903

BOOKING REQUEST FORM

Alternatively please call Cycling WA on 08 9328 3422 to discuss other training options. 

Training Levels

The following training levels are designed to introduce and progressively develop bike handling and traffic skills for people of all ages and ability levels, so that they can confidently and safely participate in recreational and utility cycling activities of their choice. AustCycle offers three levels of training: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Participants enter the program at the level relevant to their current level of competence. 

Level 1 (Beginner) - covers bike safety principles and bike handling skills. It is appropriate for complete beginners, including 8-12 year old school children and adult riders. It includes a variety of skills and activities to progress participants’ cycling skill and confidence. These activities are easily adapted to teach novice adult and senior riders. Level 1 does not specifically teach road awareness and safety (although some control techniques in relation to riding on the road and basic traffic rules may be explained).

Level 2 (Intermediate) - develops road safety skills and traffic awareness. It can be delivered to children (generally aged 9 years and older), adults and seniors of intermediate skill level. Riders participate in a range of cycling skill sessions and specific traffic safety sessions. Level 2 initially teaches skills in an off-road environment, to enable participants to ride on-road. Riders are then introduced to low (e.g., quiet roads or shared pathways) when they are ready. Once they can safely and confidently manage low traffic environments, they may progress to medium traffic environments (e.g., busier roads and shared pathways).  

Level 3 (Advanced) - is focused on teaching advanced bike handling and traffic skills. Level 3 training takes place on real roads in realistic conditions, starting on quiet roads and progressing to busier roads as riders develop skills.

Some points to note about AustCycle teaching are that:

• The same outcomes for bike control and handling are expected from adults and children however different teaching approaches will be involved.

• Participants progress to learning more advanced skills only after they have achieved the overall outcomes and milestones of the previous level. Teachers are responsible for assessing client competencies and adjusting training sessions to meet individual requirements.