Dozens of children enjoyed our summer holiday Bikeability courses, generously funded by Reading Borough Council and based at Highdown School and Prospect Park. Look out for more holiday courses next year.

Bike to school week is coming up soon - give it a go

Handy online resources help teachers, parents make it happen

Schools and parents across the UK are being invited to take part in the 2019 Bike to School Week, which takes place this month.

Organised by Sustrans and supported by the Bikeability Trust, Bike to School Week celebrates the benefits of travelling actively for children.

The 2019 edition, which uses the hashtag #BikeToSchoolWeek on social media, takes place between 23-27 September.

There is a range of resources available to support schools, including posters, a five-day pack of daily activities and a video guide with simple tips to check a bike is safe to ride. 

These activities aim to inspire pupils to think about their journeys to school, understand the benefits of active travel, and consider the causes and effects of air pollution.

Avanti Cycling is supporting the campaign with an offer to train teachers and parents - at any time of year. The training would help build up the confidence of adults who haven't ridden in a while. Please get in touch.

See also: Family guide to a hassle-free school run

Bikeability being rolled out at your school

We’ll be giving children a valuable life skill 

Bikeability training is being delivered to schools across the region now that the new term has begun. 

Bikeability is the national cycle training programme which is funded by the Department for Transport and provided free of charge to schools.

Avanti Cycling is the provider for schools in Reading, South Oxfordshire and Oxford. 

We run two-day courses for children in Years 5 and 6 covering Bikeability Levels 1 and 2. The programme is designed to give young riders the confidence to navigate the quieter local roads near school. 

Level 3 covers more complex traffic situations and is offered to older and more experienced children in Year 6. 

If your child doesn’t have a bike, we can provide one for the course for a charge of £5 to cover our costs. 

Ask your school when the scheduled Bikeability courses are to be held.

Join the Avanti Cycling Club and have more fun on wheels

Does your child enjoy cycling? We are setting up a cycling club to share the joy of riding. There will be plenty of fun activities with some skills training.

Avanti Cycling Club is being launched for children aged 10 to 14. It will meet on Saturday mornings from 1100 to 1300 during term time and the sessions will be led by qualified instructors. 

“Riders will gain valuable experience on roads as well as footpaths and bridleways. There will be opportunities to try out riding in a velodrome and to acquire some basic mountain biking skills,” says Greg Woodford, director of Avanti Cycling. "Sessions on bike maintenance will also be included - all of which will give young riders greater independence."

Come along to a free try-out session on Saturday 5 October at Palmer Park. Registration is at 1030 at Tutu’s Ethiopian Table, Palmer Park Lodge, Palmer Park, Wokingham Road, Reading RG6 1LF. Each session will be £3. 

To find out more, email Greg - greg@avanticycling.co.uk

Your chance to become a Bikeability instructor

If you’re keen to promote cycling, are good with children and have some flexibility around working hours, you might like to consider working as a paid Bikeability instructor.

Avanti Cycling delivers training to an increasing number of schools in Reading, South Oxfordshire and Oxford and is looking for more instructors. 

Get in touch to discuss how you might get involved.

Please get in touch