Merseytravel’s TravelWise campaign is calling on people across the region to kick-start the New Year and peddle their way to fitness. And if you need a bit of help the “Freewheeling” programme, which offers Merseyside residents FREE cycle skills sessions and bike maintenance courses are available.
Whether you’re looking to learn to ride a bike for the first time, or improve your confidence and on-road skills, each ‘Freewheeling’ skills session is designed to offer help. All are based on the three levels of the national standard Bikeability training – Level 1 teaches you the basics, like staying upright, signalling, looking behind and using your gears. Level 2 takes you through turning at junctions and overtaking parked cars etc. Level 3 offers more advanced skills and manoeuvres for cycling on busier roads.
If you can’t ride a bike or haven’t ridden for many years, then don’t worry – there is also a special ‘learn to ride’ session, which will get you ready for the Level 1 course.
If you want to get to know more about your bike, then the FREE bite size maintenance courses are perfect. Pick and choose from a number of themed sessions to help you gain specific knowledge about fixing a puncture, safety checks and cleaning, brakes and gears – just choose one or take part in them all!
All sessions are based at a fully equipped Merseyside training centre and are available during the daytime, early evenings and at weekends. All training and courses are delivered by fully accredited Bikeright! instructors.
Cycling is a reliable, healthy, affordable and green way to travel and many of Merseyside’s employment centres and tourist attractions are easily accessible by bike. Bikes are also carried free at all times on Merseyside’s local trains and ferries, and there’s cycle parking at most train stations too.
Liverpool PCT and Merseytravel’s joint work under the banner of the Decade of Health and Wellbeing and TravelWise campaign have contributed to an overall increase in cycling throughout the whole of Merseyside for the fourth year in a row and a growth in on-road cycling and long-term cycle usage.
For more information on cycling in Merseyside, including FREE resources such as maps and detailed advice, simply visit www.letstravelwise.org/cycling or call 0151 330 1253.