Cycle Training

News Shopper - 31st May 2000

Getting on your bike with style

Cycling is fun, cheap, environmentally friendly and an excellent summer pastime but many people are scared off the streets by heavy traffic and bad driving. Reporter Tracey Wye digs out her trusty, and only slightly-rusty, old bike to see if a cycling refresher course could make her feel safe enough to abandon her four-wheel transportation.
Now as it happens I use my bike quite a bit for short trips, especially ones which don't involve hills but do have a pub at the end.
As a regular cyclist, I thought there wasn't much I didn't know about road-riding. However, after one hour with expert instructor Simeon Bamford I soon realised there was a lot to learn to become a safer cyclist.
But before my bottom got anywhere near the saddle Simeon, a director of Cycle Training, checked over my bike to make sure it was safe.
He said: "It's very common for people to have badly-adjusted gears and wheels which makes riding hard work."
After a quick adjustment to the brakes, and fine-tuning of spokes to unbuckle my front wheel, we were away.
Riding behind me along some quiet back streets, Simeon explained how finding the right position and claiming space on the road is the key to being safe.
He said: "Cyclists should ride at least a car-door's distance from parked cars in case someone suddenly opens the door.
"Also keeping a good distance from the side of the road gives you better visibility all round and gives you space to avoid the unexpected."
Not bad so far. Riding with an instructor gave me a great confidence boost and I felt ready to take on the busy A2 in Deptford.
Turning right across a box junction we boldly negotiated the traffic but by following Simeon's advice I felt a lot less vulnerable as the lorries thundered by.
He said:"By cycling in the middle of the lane drivers can see you and will have to think twice about over-taking.
"If they get impatient, remember, what's more important, your safety or the driver's speed?"

But Simeon said his company is not against people driving cars.

He said: "We believe in integrated traffic and everybody has to share the road space."

As Simeon introduced each new technique he made me practise it until it became second nature. With just one lesson under my belt I felt much happier getting on my bike.

Cycle Training offers several courses:

Complete beginners - teach adults and children who have not learned before.
Road Riding - teaching moder urban cycling techniques
Journey Accompaniment - for people nervous about making a specific journey e.g. starting to cycle to work.
Group Instruction - teaches effective group formation and road behaviour.

Charges start at £20 per hour. Call 020 7564 5990 or check www.cycletraining.co.uk
Simeon recommends buying bikes from specialist dealers. Alternatively cheap bikes can be picked up from police auctions held at General Auctions, 63-65 Garrat Lane, Wandsworth, on Mondays from 11am. Check www.generalauctions.co.uk