Cyclist skills training: newsletter

Issue 2 - October 2008

Print version: Cyclist skills training - issue 2 (PDF, 211 KB, 3 pages)

Version 2 of the guide

Version 2 of the Cyclist skills training guideline is now available on the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) website.

The key differences are:

• terminology has been updated
• core skills/observable outcomes
• summary tables updated
• more diagrams and pictures
• intersection clarification.

Follow the links below for a copy:

• Cyclist skills training guideline (PDF, 1.89 MB, 107 pages)
• Updated summary guide (PDF, 226 KB, 4 pages)

Please note that the NZTA site is only interim and a portal to the old sites where the links are. If you would like a hard copy of the guidelines please contact us.

Funding

The amended Land Transport Management Act (LTMA)has resulted in significant changes to land transport funding. Under the Government policy statement on land transport funding (GPS), a target has been set to increase the number of walking and cycling trips by 1% per year by 2015. Cyclist skills training is one of the key initiatives under the national walking and cycling strategy Getting there by foot, by cycle.

Approved organisations are encouraged to consider cyclist skills training in their communities and to work and/or partner with other interested parties to develop programmes based on the guide.

The NZTA has released Regional land transport programme guidelines for 2009-2012 to assist approved organisations with their preparation of their 2009-12 regional land transport programmes (RLTPs). Refer to page 19 for walking and cycling facilities and page 76 for specific reference to cyclist skills training.

Funding opportunities are available through the community-focused activity class, conditional on providers developing (or progressing towards) a programme based on the guide. It is envisaged that in the medium term the NZTA will only fund cycle training programmes consistent with the RLTP guidelines. However, the NZTA recognise that there will need to be an interim period to enable existing programmes to be adapted to the guidelines.

Feedback welcome

We expect to revise the Cyclist skills training guidelines again in 2009, so feedback is welcome. Send responses to cyclisttraining@nzta.govt.nz.

Instructor workshop — 8–10 October 2008

Fifteen cycle trainers from across New Zealand came together recently for a workshop to gain an understanding of the New Zealand guidelines and share ideas with other cycle training providers. The workshop enabled a lot of lively discussion and debate between the instructors as well as providing a positive networking experience with a range of cyclist trainers across New Zealand. It was encouraging to see the vast amount of experience and passion for cyclist training in New Zealand.

A full evaluation of the workshop will be presented at the next Cyclist Training Advisory Group (CTAG) meeting planned for early December. The NZTA are looking at holding more workshops in 2009.

Many thanks to NZTA, Opus International Consultants (facilitators) and Bike NZ for hosting the workshop. Also thanks to Helen Harris (NZ Police), Michele Hendren and Kristina Carmichael (Christchurch City Council Cyclesafe) and Patrick Morgan (CAN) for facilitating components of the workshop.

Trial programmes

Following the instructor workshop on 8–10 October, the NZTA are seeking interested cycle trainers to trial the guidelines in 2009. The purpose of the trial is to seek feedback on the use and adaptability of the guidelines. It is likely that the trial programme expectations will focus on one or two training groups and seek feedback from trainees, parents (if applicable), teachers (if applicable) and course instructors. The evaluation component requirements will be available to cycle trainers in December 2008.

Other information

North Shore City Council has just released a research report Tempting teens to cycle, by Brian Horspool.

Cycle Advocates Network (CAN) have developed a discussion forum with the aim of sharing best practice and discussing issues relating to teaching people to ride bikes.

How to join:

1. Visit http://can.org.nz.
2. Select ‘new user’ at bottom right.
3. Follow the instructions.
4. Tick the box at ‘Join Cycle Training Network’.

You don’t have to be a CAN member to join the network. Contact cycletraining@can.org.nz if you have any questions.

Cyclist training organisations

NZTA have an extensive database of organisations undertaking or interested in cyclist training in New Zealand. Please forward us details of anyone interested in keeping in the loop with cyclist training.

For further information

Gerry Dance
Senior Policy Advisor (Walking & Cycling)
Land Transport New Zealand
04 894 6362
Gerry.Dance@nzta.govt.nz

Rachel Algar
NZ Cyclist Skills Training Project Manager
Opus International Consultants Ltd
07 834 1827
Rachel.Algar@opus.co.nz

Page updated: 18 July 2008