Updating the National Standard for Bikeability and instructor training

RoSPA Road Safety Conference 13 February 2019

Michael Frearson

Outline

• Updating the National Standard for cycle training

• Revising the Bikeability delivery guide

• Developing regulated instructor qualifications

THENATIONAL

STANDARD

The National Standard for cycle training

• Not new – first launched with Bikeability in 2005/06

• Reviewed in 2012/13, with introduction of Bikeability QA framework

• Second review in 2017/18, alongside instructor training reform

• June 2018 – approved by DfT’s Cycle Training Standards Board

• October 2019 – published by DVSA with other road-use standards

• May 2019 – launch alongside new Bikeability delivery guide and Ofqual-regulated instructor qualifications

• 2019 onwards – underpins Bikeability, quality assurance, instructor training, and other training (e.g. driver cycle awareness)

2017/18 review principles

• Simplicity – focus on core functions for everyday cycling

• making good and frequent observations• communicating intentions clearly to other road users• choosing and maintaining the most suitable riding positions• understanding priorities, particularly at junctions

• Inclusivity – improve access to the Standard, training and cycling

• Flexibility – enable cycling everywhere cycling is permitted

• Clarity – address inconsistency, align with other National Standards

The new National Standard (May 2019)

• a guide to cycling well, not a mandatory pre-requisite for cycling

• other things also help cycling - education, engineering, enforcement

• how well people cycle, not how many or how often people cycle

• competence based, describes skills and understanding for cycling well

• describes observable performance and demonstrable understanding

• basis for different cycle training programmes, including Bikeability

• useful for learning resources to help other riders cycle well too

The new National Standard and Bikeability

THEBIKEABILITY

DELIVERYGUIDE

The new Bikeability delivery guide

• Has been developed by the Bikeability Trust working with sector stakeholders and DfT

• Contains new National Standard assessment criteria and guidance on how to deliver training

• For Bikeability providers and instructors to use when• planning, delivering and reviewing Bikeability training

• mentoring and developing instructors

• quality assuring Bikeability delivery

To achieve consistent, high-quality training across

England that enables riders to cycle to the

National Standard

Bikeability principles

Realistic Empowering Positive Progressive

Rider-ledOutcome

orientatedContinuous assessment

Delivery guide structure and content

1. Introduction• Bikeability and the National Standard• Effective Bikeability Delivery• Learning, Teaching, Assessment• Course Ratios and Timings

2. Delivery of Bikeability• Level 1• Level 2• Level 3

• Standardized guidance on 'how to’ ride in different environments

• Common points for all levels have been brought into an expanded introduction

• Clarity on what instructors and riders must, should and may do reduces scope for inconsistency

• New guidance on inclusive delivery, risk management, sample questions and assessment criteria

Bikeability practices

Positive language

Accurate demos

Question led

DifferentiationRisk

managementMaximum ride

time

Continuous feedback

Recorded assessments

Progression

Focus on everyday functions and routines

Core functions:

• making good and frequent observations

• choosing and maintaining the most suitable riding positions

• communicating intentions clearly to others

• understanding priorities on the road, particularly at junctions.

Systematic routines:

• planning well in advance, anticipating and responding

• the most suitable riding positions for different parts of journey

• looking behind before communicating intentions and changing riding position

• knowing when to give way to others or take priority assertively

Learning, Teaching and Assessment

Core functionsSystematic

routinesPlanning

Pre-course preparation

Active learning Riding position DemonstrationsManaging

groups

Moving groups Managing riskInclusive delivery

Assessment

Bikeability progression

• Riders must continue riding to the National Standard elements they have already demonstrated when undertaking higher-level training.

• Throughout Bikeability, riders return to familiar elements in the National Standard in more challenging cycling environments as their skills and confidence grow.

• Consolidation and challenge are essential elements in Bikeability progression. They enable riders to develop their own safe and responsible cycling strategies by practising

independent decision making

systematic routines

the four core functions

Bikeability course delivery

Bikeability Level 1 course outline

• Module 1.1: Prepare myself and the cycle for a journey• Activity 1.1a: Prepare myself for a journey

• Activity 1.1b: Check the cycle is ready for a journey

• Module 1.2: Set off, pedal, slow down and stop• Activity 1.2a: Set off, slow down and stop

• Activity 1.2b: Pedal

Activity structure

• Activity title

• National Standard assessment criteria

• Setting (activity sequence and locations)

• What riders must do to demonstrate the National Standard in full

• What riders must understand

• Sample questions

• Inclusive delivery

• Risk management

• Progression

What does good Bikeability look like?

Riders will be:

• thinking independently about• performing the four core functions

• in systematic routines throughout their journey

• becoming progressively more competent, consistent and confident

• in progressively more challenging cycling environments

• reflecting on the decisions they’ve made

• understanding how they’re improving

• always cycling towards the National Standard

Who has more time and space?

INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS

Instructor training reform timeline

• 2012 QA framework – did not include initial instructor training

• 2015 QA framework review – inconsistency, root and branch review

• 2016 IT review – overhaul, open up, regulate, standardise, centralise

• 2017 IT plan – external regulation, separation of core functions

• 2018/19 develop – 1st4Sport L2 and L3 instructor awards, RDCs

• 2019 implement – May registrations, RPL NSI/NSIAs, £60 PCA bursary

• 2021 complete – all instructors hold the 1st4Sport L2 instructor award

2016/17 reform principles

• Open up instructor training to new entrants – new applications for delivery centre recognition through an external, Ofqual regulated awarding organisation centre recognition process

• Stronger definition and regulation of instructor training roles and responsibilities – a clear definition and separation of core roles and responsibilities (setting standards, delivering training, awarding qualifications)

• Introduce licensing fees – awarding organisations charge fees to cover costs of centre recognition and external quality assurance

• External assurance of instructor training – recognised delivery centres are quality assured by their awarding organisation through recognition and external quality assurance processes

• Inputs that delivery centres must deliver – specified in the delivery centre recognition process

• One organisation to train instructor trainers – one awarding organisation to quality assure the instructor trainer training delivered by its recognised delivery centres

• Standardised instructor course – the awarding organisation approves courses designed by its recognised delivery centres leading to qualifications based on the National Standard

New instructors

• Register with a 1st4Sport recognised delivery centre from 1 May

• £40 1st4Sport registration fee, course fees set by delivery centres

• In most cases complete a four-day course with course and external (multiple choice) and e-portfolio assessment

• Complete a post-course assessment within six months supported by work experience and mentoring

• Plan and undertake continuing professional development

• Annual registration renewal with the Bikeability Trust

Existing instructors

• Active Bikeability instructors expected to register for Level 2 qualification within two years (can continue practising until then)

• Recognition of prior learning and online learning rather than training

• Same assessment as new instructors but using work experience, including e-portfolio, external assessment and practical assessment

• £40 1st4sport registration fee for the regulated Level 2 qualification

• £60 Bikeability Trust bursary towards costs of practical assessment

• Plan and undertake continuing professional development

• Annual registration renewal with the Bikeability Trust

Preparing for May 2019

• On 1 May, the National Standard and Bikeability Delivery Guide become operational, and recognised delivery centres open registrations for the 1st4Sport instructor qualifications

• From May, Registered Bikeability providers and instructors will use the new Bikeability Delivery Guide to plan, deliver, review and quality assure Bikeability and mentor and develop instructors

• The Bikeability Trust is supporting Bikeability providers and instructors during the transition with monthly webinars and newsletters, the annual Bikeability conference in May, email and phone helplines, and CEO visits to providers

THANK YOU