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]
• Learn to Fix training for adults [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cycling-1/buying-bike/5]

Stay informed of future events by signing up to our newsletter [https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCOVENTRY/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKCOVENTRY_300]

Adult cycle training

Adult learn to ride

Adult beginner learn to ride sessions take place midday to 1pm at Longford Park on the following dates.

• Thursday 3 September • Midday to 1pm
• Friday 18 September • Midday to 1pm
• Thursday 24 September • Midday to 1pm
• Friday 2 October  • Midday to 1pm
• Friday 9 October • Midday to 1pm
• Friday 16 October • Midday to 1pm
• Friday 23 October • Midday to 1pm

Sessions are aimed at complete beginners, or anyone who wants to practice in a social setting.  All equipment is provided, including bikes and helmets.

To book, please email: SteveWilson@britishcycling.org.uk [http://SteveWilson@britishcycling.org.uk]

The meeting point is the car park at the Windmill Road entrance.

Advanced adult coaching

CycleIn is a government-approved online coaching platform to help existing adult cyclists improve their on-road skills and confidence. It is backed by the Bikeability Trust [https://www.bikeability.org.uk/] who regulate cycle training on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Please note this is a chargeable service and not provided by Coventry City Council.

For more information, please visit the CycleIn website [https://www.cyclein.co.uk/].

Stay informed of future events by signing up to our newsletter [https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCOVENTRY/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKCOVENTRY_300].

Venue information - Coventry Canal Basin

Coventry Canal Basin

For sessions held at Coventry Canal Basin, the meeting point is just beyond the private parking area within the Canal Basin.  The Canal Basin is an oasis of calm just a few minutes from the city centre.

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].

Stay informed of future events by signing up to our newsletter [https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCOVENTRY/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKCOVENTRY_300]

Child cycle training

We offer a range of cycle training opportunities for children in Coventry. Beginner lessons take place in the community. More advanced training for children takes place in schools through the national Bikeability programme [#Bikeability].  

• Learn to ride - bookable courses [#LearnToRide]
• Bikeability in schools [#Bikeability]
• Other options for schools [#GetCycling]
• Teaching children yourself [#DIY]

Beginners - Children's learn to ride

Sessions are available at Xcel Leisure Centre for children aged 5 to 13 with no prior experience of riding a bike, or recent learners who need more practice.

• 4pm to 5pm - every Tuesday
• 5pm to 6pm - every Tuesday 

Please note there are no sessions on Tuesday 8 September.

Booking: please email: SteveWilson@britishcycling.org.uk [http://SteveWilson@britishcycling.org.uk]

These sessions are not suitable for children who can already ride confidently.   Consider contacting your child's school about Bikeability, see below.

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 [#GetCycling] programme, see below.
• If you are a school that wants to arrange Bikeability with us, please contact cycletraining@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:cycletraining@coventry.gov.uk]
• Contact Warwickshire County Council [http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cycling-warwickshire/cycle-safety-training/2] if your child goes to school in Warwickshire.

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 support to schools in teaching children to learn to ride.  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 stabilisers - Walk Wheel Cycle Trust [https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/teach-a-child-to-ride-a-bike-without-stabilisers-in-nine-steps/]

Stay informed of future events by signing up for our newsletter [https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCOVENTRY/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKCOVENTRY_300].

Inclusive cycling sessions

Parkride

Parkride is the region's leading adapted cycling scheme offering free or low cost access to a fleet of inclusive bikes and trikes allowing you to cycle in safe spaces with expert tuition and support.  These sessions are provided by Midland Mencap [https://midlandmencap.org.uk/local-services/birmingham/things-to-do/parkride/] using funding from Sport England [https://www.sportengland.org/funding-and-campaigns/our-funding/movement-fund].

Booking is essential.  To book and for more information, please contact Midland Mencap [https://midlandmencap.org.uk/local-services/birmingham/things-to-do/parkride/] via the details below.

Call: 0121 442 2944
Email: parkride@midlandmencap.org.uk [mailto:parkride@midlandmencap.org.uk]

Sign up to our newsletter to find out when more events take place. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cycling-1/cycle-coventry-newsletter]

Cycle maintenance training

Our Learn to Fix programme has returned for 2026.   Find out more here. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cycling-1/buying-bike/5]