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Cycling's new proficiency standard backed by £1m

Cycling England's National Standard for Cycle Training is being backed with £1 million for instructor training and accreditation.

Building on the old RoSPA cycling proficiency test, which was phased out more than a decade ago, the new standard has the backing of the government, LARSOA and over 20 cycling groups and local councils.

To ensure that cycle instructors teach the new standard, Cycling England is providing £1 million over the next three years to help pay for instructors' training and official accreditation. The funding is available to applicants from local authorities and commercial training providers.

The standard is set for three levels and is designed for both children and adults, and requires on-road training experience. While it is not compulsory, local authorities will be encouraged to bring their local schemes in line with it as soon as possible.  

The standard will be regularly monitored by the Cycle Training Reference Group ( CTRG), a voluntary body representing all the major cycle training experts and practitioners.

Kevin Clinton , head of road safety for RoSPA said: "This new and unprecedented funding to train cycle instructors is excellent news and will help to ensure that more people, young and old, receive effective training to help them cycle safely and confidently."

Steve Whitehouse , cycling advisor to LARSOA and representative on the CTRG said: "We welcome this initiative to equip young people with the skills to ride safely in modern traffic conditions - invaluable skills that they can take into later life."

For further information call the national training helpline on 0870 607 0415, or visit: www.ctc.org.uk/cycletraining.