Bikeability
Encyclopedia
Bikeability is the national programme for cycle training in England
and Wales
, administered by Cycling England
. It is based on the National Standard for Cycle Training, a UK Government standard run by the Department for Transport
and approved by RoSPA, LARSOA, British Cycling
, CTC
, Sustrans
and Cycling England
.
Bikeability is an all-ages programme. The lower levels replace the Cycling Proficiency scheme, which was targeted mainly at children. Levels 2 and 3 correspond to the skills delivered by the US
Effective Cycling
programme developed by John Forester.
Training for children and adults alike progresses through the three levels. Schools training is often over four to six weeks, during normal school hours, starting off with control skills and progressing to on-road training but not necessarily reaching Level 3. There is no test. On completion children may be awarded badges, booklets and/or certificates.
This programme is now being delivered across the United Kingdom, usually with some form of government funding for training in schools and sometimes with subsidised or free training for adults.
The Cycle Training Standards Board controls the standard of training of instructors and the standard of cycle training to be delivered to children and adults.
In their view, the following different environmental aspects should be included as components of possible importance for the perception of bikeability in relation to active transport, such as commuting: (1) the means of transport – the bicycle; (2) the level of safety; (3) whether the route environment stimulates or hinders active commuting; and (4) the route distance and topography.
The rationale for that is that "the means of transport – the bicycle – relates to various aspects of the fact that bicycling represents an interaction between a human being and technology, in which the bicycle stands for a technological environment. The effort needed for transport per distance and elevation, the possible speeds and in what kinds of environment it can be used are examples of issues that can affect bikeability. The level of safety relates to traffic safety and other forms of risks, such as crime. Whether the route environment stimulates or hinders active commuting will most likely relate to a complex of environmental variables. The route distance and topography relate to issues of time allocation needed and acceptable levels of physical effort" (Wahlgren & Schantz 2011.).
These components can, according to the researchers, be viewed as a chain with four different links. Weakness in one link may be enough to break the chain, and thereby a bicycling behaviour will not take place. However, the characteristics of the different components might interact. For example, a perceived high level of traffic unsafeness may be acceptable if the route distance is sufficiently short.
The same Swedish researchers have studied the perceived levels of bikeability of active commuting route environments (level of traffic safety and whether the route environment stimulates or hinders active commuting) in the metropolitan setting of Greater Stockholm, Sweden, and claim, based on perceived route environmental profiles, that it is higher in suburban - rural areas than in inner urban environments (Wahlgren & Schantz 2011.).
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, administered by Cycling England
Cycling England
Cycling England was an independent body funded by the Department for Transport to promote cycling in England. It was founded in 2005 to replace the National Cycling Strategy Board. Following the 2010 Comprehensive Spending review it was earmarked for abolition, to be replaced by Local...
. It is based on the National Standard for Cycle Training, a UK Government standard run by the Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
and approved by RoSPA, LARSOA, British Cycling
British Cycling
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycle racing in Great Britain. It administers most competitive cycling in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man...
, CTC
Cyclists' Touring Club
CTC and the UK's national cyclists' organisation are the trading names of the Cyclists' Touring Club.CTC is the United Kingdom's largest cycling membership organisation. It also has member groups in the Republic of Ireland...
, Sustrans
Sustrans
Sustrans is a British charity to promote sustainable transport. The charity is currently working on a number of practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport, to give people the choice of "travelling in ways that benefit their health and the environment"...
and Cycling England
Cycling England
Cycling England was an independent body funded by the Department for Transport to promote cycling in England. It was founded in 2005 to replace the National Cycling Strategy Board. Following the 2010 Comprehensive Spending review it was earmarked for abolition, to be replaced by Local...
.
Programme
There are three levels to Bikeability:- Level 1 (red badge) covers basic bike handling skills and is delivered in a traffic-free environment, such as a playground
- Level 2 (amber badge) is taught on quiet roads but in real traffic conditions and covers simple manoeuvres and road sense
- Level 3 (green badge) covers more complex situations and equips the cyclist to handle a wide range of traffic conditions and road layouts.
Bikeability is an all-ages programme. The lower levels replace the Cycling Proficiency scheme, which was targeted mainly at children. Levels 2 and 3 correspond to the skills delivered by the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Effective Cycling
Effective Cycling
Effective Cycling is a trademarked cycling educational program designed by John Forester, which was the national education program of the League of American Wheelmen for a number of years until Forester withdrew permission for them to use the name...
programme developed by John Forester.
Training for children and adults alike progresses through the three levels. Schools training is often over four to six weeks, during normal school hours, starting off with control skills and progressing to on-road training but not necessarily reaching Level 3. There is no test. On completion children may be awarded badges, booklets and/or certificates.
This programme is now being delivered across the United Kingdom, usually with some form of government funding for training in schools and sometimes with subsidised or free training for adults.
Administration and management
Bikeability is administered by the Department for Transport. In order to be able to use the Bikeability name and to be able to award Bikeability badges, a 'scheme' must be registered by Cycling England. In addition to guaranteeing that its instructors are qualified National Standard Instructors and that training will be delivered according to the National Standard, a scheme must give evidence that it has appropriate insurance, child protection policies and risk assessment processes.The Cycle Training Standards Board controls the standard of training of instructors and the standard of cycle training to be delivered to children and adults.
Swedish research
In addition, Bikeability has been defined by Swedish researchers as "factors associated with bicycling and the route environment, route distance and aspects of the interaction between the bicyclist and the bicycle which affect the conditions of a specific trip. [---] Bikeability should preferably relate, in a wider perspective, to how these factors and aspects can interact with the perception and behaviour of bicycling for at least three different purposes: (1) transport; (2) recreation; and (3) exercise, as well as competition." (Wahlgren & Schantz 2011.).In their view, the following different environmental aspects should be included as components of possible importance for the perception of bikeability in relation to active transport, such as commuting: (1) the means of transport – the bicycle; (2) the level of safety; (3) whether the route environment stimulates or hinders active commuting; and (4) the route distance and topography.
The rationale for that is that "the means of transport – the bicycle – relates to various aspects of the fact that bicycling represents an interaction between a human being and technology, in which the bicycle stands for a technological environment. The effort needed for transport per distance and elevation, the possible speeds and in what kinds of environment it can be used are examples of issues that can affect bikeability. The level of safety relates to traffic safety and other forms of risks, such as crime. Whether the route environment stimulates or hinders active commuting will most likely relate to a complex of environmental variables. The route distance and topography relate to issues of time allocation needed and acceptable levels of physical effort" (Wahlgren & Schantz 2011.).
These components can, according to the researchers, be viewed as a chain with four different links. Weakness in one link may be enough to break the chain, and thereby a bicycling behaviour will not take place. However, the characteristics of the different components might interact. For example, a perceived high level of traffic unsafeness may be acceptable if the route distance is sufficiently short.
The same Swedish researchers have studied the perceived levels of bikeability of active commuting route environments (level of traffic safety and whether the route environment stimulates or hinders active commuting) in the metropolitan setting of Greater Stockholm, Sweden, and claim, based on perceived route environmental profiles, that it is higher in suburban - rural areas than in inner urban environments (Wahlgren & Schantz 2011.).