What is the National Standard?

The National Standard for cycle training is a series of outcomes covering the skills necessary for making cycling trips in today’s road conditions. The National Standard is built upon similar principles to training for motorcycle riders and car drivers, teaching the importance of assessing the likely risks faced by road users.

Launched in 2005, the National Standard was developed by over 20 organisations and is maintained by the Department for Transport.

The National Standard consists of three levels:

• Level 1 is usually covered in a traffic free environment. Those completing Level 1 will be able to demonstrate the skills and understanding to be able to make a trip and undertake activities safely in a traffic free environment. It provides the basic cycle control skills including starting and pedalling, stopping, manoeuvring, signalling and using the gears. It can be taught to anyone (usually aged five and over) but it is most often taught to groups of children aged seven to nine in the school playground over one or two sessions.
• Level 2 is covered on quiet roads but with real traffic conditions for those who have completed Level 1. Children completing Level 2 will be able to demonstrate the skills and understanding to be able to make the majority of trips to school. It can be taught to anyone (usually aged six and over) but is most often taught to groups of children aged nine to eleven in small groups over a number of sessions.
• Level 3 develops the basic skills and trains cyclists to make journeys in a variety of traffic conditions competently, confidently and consistently. Those completing Level 3 will be able to demonstrate the skills and understanding to be able to make a trip safely to school, work or leisure on busy roads, using complex junctions and road features. The training deals with hazards, making ‘on-the-move’ risk assessments and planning routes for safer cycling. This level is aimed at teenagers and adults.

The National Standard and Bikeability

The DfT promotes the National Standard through the Bikeability award scheme in England. Any cycle training organisation wishing to use the Bikeability branding and issue the Bikeability award materials to trainees must first register a scheme. Scheme registration is a quality assurance process to help ensure organisations are delivering good practice cycle training. All Bikeability registered schemes have gone through the registration process.

Further information about Bikeability and details of how to register as a Bikeability provider can be found on the Bikeability website.