Cycle training - Print version

We aim to support the community by offering opportunities for both adults and children to learn to ride. Child cycle training varies between structured lessons that can be booked, or more informal sessions as part of community events [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cycling-1/cycling-events/1]. Family-inclusive events, if available, are detailed in our child cycle training [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cycling-1/cycle-training/4] pages.

• Adult cycle training [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cycling-1/cycle-training/2]
• Child cycle training [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cycling-1/cycle-training/4]
• Inclusive cycling sessions [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cycling-1/cycle-training/5]

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Adult cycle training

Drop-in sessions for adults take place at Moat House Leisure Centre. every Friday, between 12pm and 1pm until 19 December. These session take place outdoors, so wear thin gloves and suitable clothing. Loose clothing or hair must be able to be tied back to avoid getting caught in the pedals, chain or wheels. Bikes are provided for you on the day of the session, so just turn up!

For more information, call the centre on 024 7684 1720

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Adult cycle training - venue information

Coventry Canal Basin

Our adult cycle training takes place at Coventry Canal Basin, an oasis of calm just a few minutes from the bustle of the city centre. The meeting point is just beyond the private parking area within the Canal Basin.

Address: Coventry Canal Basin [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/parking-travel-streets/coventry-canal-1], St Nicholas Street, Coventry CV1 4LY
By bus: Routes 20 and 148 stop on Foleshill Road, adjacent to the towpath at the Leicester Row bus stop opposite Halfords, just a short step-free walk from the Canal Basin. Both routes pick up in the city centre from Trinity Street, and run as far away as Longford, Bedworth and Nuneaton.  Routes 15 and 16 also stop nearby, on Radford Road, serving Holbrooks (15), Whitmore Park (15), Jubilee Crescent (15) and Keresley (16).
By road: For Coventry Canal Basin, leave Coventry Ring Road at Junction 1. Follow Foleshill Road, first left down Leicester Row, up St Nicholas Street. Look for the brown direction signs when leaving the Ring Road.
Nearest parking: On-Street pay & display parking on Leicester Row [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/49442/leicester-row], Drapers Fields [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/49447/drapers-fields] and St. Columbas Close [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/49446/st-columba-s-close]. Cashless payment available by using a number of apps [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/paybyphoneappparking].

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Child cycle training - Learn to ride

Drop-in sessions for children aged 5 to 13 take place at Xcel Leisure Centre [https://cvlife.co.uk/xcel-leisure-centre/] on the following Tuesdays in November and December

• Tuesday 11 November
• Tuesday 18 November
• Tuesday 2 December
• Tuesday 16 December

Beginners' sessions are 4-5pm, and advanced learners ride between 5pm and 6pm.

Sessions cost £1 per child.  Booking is not required, but contact the centre if you want to reserve your place.

Xcel Leisure Centre
Mitchell Avenue
Canley
CV4 8DY

Telephone: 024 7685 6956

Cycle training in schools - Bikeability

• Bikeability cycle training is delivered in some Coventry schools. Check with your school office as not all schools currently participate in this national scheme. 
• Bikeability is offered at Year 5 and Year 6 to children who can already cycle, giving the skills and confidence to ride independently on the road to secondary school. 
• Bikeability is not suitable for complete novices, and schools are encouraged to get children ready for Bikeability by signposting parents to our out-of-school sessions, where available, or running their own learn to ride schemes as part of Physical Education lessons or during after school clubs.  Schools can now also participate in the national Get Cycling in Schools programme, see below.
• If you are a school who wants to arrange Bikeability with us, please contact cycletraining@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:cycletraining@coventry.gov.uk].
• School cycle training if your child goes to school in Warwickshire [https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cycling-warwickshire/cycle-safety-training/2].

Cycle training in schools - Get Cycling in Schools

To help with the uptake of the national Bikeability scheme above, the Bikeability trust [https://getcycling.bikeability.org.uk/] now offers support to schools at Early Years and Key Stage 1, providing learn to ride training to children.  This programme is called Get Cycling in Schools [https://getcycling.bikeability.org.uk/] and is completely free for schools to access.  Visit the dedicated website [https://getcycling.bikeability.org.uk/] for more information.

Tips on teaching children to ride

There are some useful tips from cycling organisations on how to teach children to ride yourself:

• Teaching your child to ride a balance bike - Cycling UK [http://www.cyclinguk.org/balance-bike]
• Teaching your child to ride a bike without stabilizers [https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/2019/everyday-walking-and-cycling/teach-your-child-to-ride-a-bike-without-stabilisers-in-nine-steps/] - Sustrans [https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/2019/everyday-walking-and-cycling/teach-your-child-to-ride-a-bike-without-stabilisers-in-nine-steps/]

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Inclusive cycling sessions

Parkride 2025

Parkride is an accessible and inclusive cycling event, offering people the chance to enjoy the benefits of cycling if a two-wheeled cycle is not the best fit for them.  Instructors will help you learn how to cycle if this is your first time, or just practice and get better if that's what you need!

A range of adapted and specialist cycles will be available to try in a park setting.  The target audience is people with physical or mental impairments, however the events are open to everyone, as we all have different needs.  The programme is intended to challenge perceptions about who cycling is for, and open the joy of cycling to everyone in the community.   

Sessions are FREE and funded by Sport England [https://www.sportengland.org/].   Dates and times are subject to change, so be sure to check this page before you travel to the event.

By phone: 0121 442 2944
By email: parkride@midlandmencap.org.uk [mailto:parkride@midlandmencap.org.uk]