Our Youth Worker, David, shares the benefits of cycling to you and our planet, the importance of qualifications, and his journey to becoming a 1st4sport Level 2 Award in Instructing Cycle Training.  

David’s Journey and passion for cycling  

From an early age, I realised that cycling on the road made me vulnerable to other road users. Like many others, I relied on high-visibility clothing, helmets, and lights, but these precautions didn’t make much difference. I then recalled the cycling proficiency course from my childhood and decided to see if it had been updated. To my surprise, not only had it been modernised, but it was also offered for free in Cardiff.   

This training transformed my approach to cycling, making me much more visible to other road users, and I noticed the difference immediately. When a job opportunity in this field came up, I seized it and have never looked back. I’ve since used the skills and experience I’ve gained to enhance my work as a youth worker.  

What is the National Standard?  

Bikeability is a government-recognised training program in the UK designed to teach and improve cycling skills, particularly for children but also for adults. It aims to help cyclists develop the practical skills and understanding they need to ride safely and confidently on the road.   

The training is divided into three levels:  

1. Level 1: This course focuses on basic bike handling skills, typically in a traffic-free environment. It’s designed for beginners and usually targets younger children.  

1. Level 2: This level teaches cyclists to handle their bikes on quieter roads and to understand road signs and signals. It is typically for those who have completed Level 1 and are ready to ride on the road with some traffic.  

1. Level 3: Provides advanced training on busier roads with more complex traffic situations, such as roundabouts and multi-lane roads. This level is often aimed at older children and adults who want to ride more confidently in diverse road conditions.  

My journey to Qualified instructor  

It all started about ten years ago. I was out of work and looking for work. I knew the local council delivered cycle training but I didn’t know anything about it so I decided to get in touch and find out. They used to deliver level one and level 2 in primary schools during the term time and then some holiday provision too. They also had an opening for a role as the cycle trainer, so I took that role and started cycle training. The first thing I did was attend the five-day course, which gave me the accreditation to deliver the national standard training scheme. Since then, I haven’t looked back. I took it upon myself to develop the training as there were many options for young people who couldn’t ride, and also, there were many trainers who weren’t training to the standard.   

The staff never had any retraining days to refresh their skills, and the management lacked leadership in what they wanted from the training. I introduced three training sessions per year, of which trainers had to attend at least two. I then delivered the national standard as I saw it and welcomed comments and adaptations to that.   

I discovered that many of the standards were not being taught because trainers thought they were too dangerous or the young people weren’t up to it. To this end, I said that anybody going out on the road should be allowed to take part in the full training session. I also discovered that many trainers were walking to the training sites when they should have been cycling, so I addressed this and boosted the trainers’ confidence by allowing them to practice riding as a group.  

In my years of training, I also managed to sign up for the Velo-tech tech gold maintenance qualification and the MIAS level 2 qualification. Since taking all of these qualifications, I have used cycling in all aspects of my youth work, be it learning to ride, improving skills in road cycling, leisure cycling and cycle maintenance. I am now in a position to take this much further and be able to offer qualifications in either cycling psycho-maintenance cycling as a group or off-road cycling. I can also pass my passion for cycling on to young people. This, coupled with our environmental project, can make a difference in young people’s lives and make us environmentally friendly towards the planet.   

How I bring cycling to my youth work  

For our environmental project, I want to connect with like-minded young people to form a cycling group. Together, we can develop skills in all aspects of cycling—such as maintenance, route planning, and training—which can benefit us personally and empower us to teach others. By supporting them in creating their cycling groups, we could potentially spark a youth movement advocating for better infrastructure and support for young cyclists.  

As for the specific training, I have lost count of the young people I have trained throughout Cardiff to level 3. Starting this project in Newport, I will be able to train many more to deal with the challenges of cycling on the road and balance that with the enjoyment and positive mental effects that cycling brings.  

Why becoming a cycling instructor matters to you and our planet  

Cycling is a simple yet powerful choice in a world where time is precious, and our impact on the planet matters more than ever. It’s not just an efficient way to get from point A to point B—cycling offers a full-body workout, helping you stay fit and healthy. Beyond the personal benefits, cycling is one of the quickest ways to navigate busy streets, often beating traffic jams and crowded public transport.  

But the advantages don’t stop there. Every time you choose to ride, you’re positively impacting the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. It’s a small step contributing to cleaner air and a healthier planet. So, whether you’re commuting, exercising, or just enjoying the open road, cycling is a choice that benefits both you and the world around you.  

Get on your bike, and let’s pedal towards a fitter, faster, and greener future.