Rotherham's bike riders urged to sign up for safer cycling sessions

ROTHERHAM’S cyclists are being urged to brush up their skills and stay safe on the with the help of professional teachers.

The call comes from Pedal Ready, a Sheffield-based, not-for-profit co-operative whose team of 30 professional cycling instructors offer cycling road craft sessions and other cycling promotion activities.

It co-incides with the start today of National Road Safety Week/

"The best way to make sure you're safe and confident on the streets is to get a professional to show you how," said Ken Woodhouse of Pedal Ready.

"Simply learning the main potential hazards and how to deal with them, especially learning how to make sure drivers see you and understand you, makes you much more predictable to other road users and therefore much safer," he said.

"The government says taking a National Standard cycle commuter session makes you 2-3 times less likely to have an accident when cycling. In actual fact, because we teach you how to know and react to all the main problems on the roads, we think it helps much more than that."

Thanks to government funding won by Sheffield and Rotherham Councils, all Sheffield and Rotherham schools can sign their nine to 11-year-old pupils up for free National Standard Bikeability training on quieter roads, and parents and teachers can also take part by contacting Pedal Ready for a free adult, small group or family cycling session.

These 'bespoke' sessions usually last about a couple of hours (three hours for groups or families) and also cover route and maintenance advice.

Parent sessions are now also being offered alongside pupil cycling lessons at local 'Bike It' schools.

Recent incidents involving Britain’s Olympic cyclists have spread concern about cycling on Britain's roads, but Pedal Ready says cycling is safe, and the more people who cycle, the safer it gets, as drivers get used to pedal-powered commuters.

"We'd urge schools, parents and anyone who cycles to get in touch to make sure they're as safe as they can be on their bikes. We've worked with thousands of people so far, and everyone who takes part says they feel safer and more confident," said Ken Woodhouse.

"It's free and only takes a click or a phone call."

Pedal Ready can be contacted on 0114 2412775, email [email protected] or their website at www. pedalready.co.uk