Safe cycling

Training session 2
1

Training session 2
Bicycle training in real traffic

Introduction  2

Exercises  5

→→ Part 1: Intake
Exercise 1: Experiences in cycling  5

→→ Part 2: Theory
Exercise 2: Different parts of a bicycle  6
Exercise 3: Important traffic signs  7
Exercise 4: The right behaviour on the street – Important traffic rules  8

→→ Part 3: Practice
Exercise 5: The ‘Bicycle riding skills’-check  9
Exercise 6: Bicycle training in real traffic  14

→→ Part 4: Round-up
Exercise 7: Feedback and future  20

Main working materials

→→ Working materials for trainers
Trainer guide ‘All around cycling’

→→ Working materials for trainees

Worksheets
Worksheet 1: Statutory parts of a bicycle
Worksheet 2: Parts of a bicycle (extended version)
Worksheet 3: Traffic signs
Worksheet 4: Traffic rules on regulated crossings
Worksheet 5: Traffic rules on unregulated crossings

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Introduction 2

Training session 2
Bicycle training in real traffic

General guidelines when working with immigrants

When working with immigrants, please be aware of linguistic, cultural and gender issues. You
should not only think about specific needs of the course, but also about the approach, back-
ground and gender of your training staff. Some of the aspects you should consider, depending on
the culture and the individuals attending your courses are:

• If you are not totally familiar with your trainees’ skills take your time to interview them about
their experiences.

• Avoid bringing trainees into an embarrassing situation due to culture, gender or religion.

• Sometimes gender specific training is more appropriate.

• If you want to conduct gender specific training, then your trainers should be of the same gen-
der as the trainees.

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You will find a table of culture specific values for cycling in the Annex of this training mod-
ule in which a relative comparison of cycling attitudes of various countries is given.

Aim of the training session

Bicycle training in real traffic is an important step to convince and ensure people, who are not so
familiar with cycling, to use this flexible mode of transport everyday. Therefore, cycle training in a
speed limited real traffic environment can be a key action to help to change their mobility behav-
iour towards to a more sustainable one.

The overall goal of this training session is to strengthen the participants’ bicycle skills to get used
to riding a bicycle and/or to prepare using this sustainable transport mode safely in real traffic.

Generally, the training session consists of a combination of hard measures and soft measures.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Introduction 3

→→ Learning objectives of this training session are:

• Learning how to cycle safely

• Learning about bicycle traffic rules and regulations in the (new) home country

&
• Learning about the local bicycle infrastructure and short cuts in the (new) home country

• Improving language skills HARD MEASURES

• Social inclusion by engaging with the community
SOFT MEASURES
• Motivation for the topic of cycling and having fun

• Engaging with the topic of cycling and overcoming barriers

• Gaining insight into the cycling culture of the (new) home country

• Getting to know the local environment and enlarging the travel radius

• Exploring the surrounding area by bike

• Encouraging the initiation of own cycle activities

• Communication and enjoyment

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See also the general Introduction of this training module.

Structure of the training session

This training session describes the implementation of practical bicycle training in real traffic which
you can carry out with your trainees, and contains introductory and complementary exercises di-
vided into 4 parts:

»» Part 1 will determine the trainees’ existing cycling habits, experiences and wishes.
»» Part 2 will introduce the technical parts of a bicycle and will teach knowledge about basic
country specific traffic rules and signs, which are of high importance for cyclists.
»» Part 3 covers the practical bicycle training in a speed limited real traffic environment.
»» Part 4 describes the round-up of the trainees’ experiences of the training session.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Introduction 4

It is recommended that the suggested exercises are held one after another, but it is also possible
to simply pick out selected ones. There is no right or wrong way.

You can use the trainer guide all around the topic of cycling. If necessary and appropriate, you will
need to ask the trainees to complete worksheets after selected exercises.

Specific skills and targets (for language teachers)

The trainees should be able to talk about their experiences with riding a bike. They should under-
stand the most important traffic rules and signs.

The language level and language skills are indicated with all exercises.

((
 
You will find a table of common European language levels in the Annex of TOGETHER on
the move.

→→ Language skills

L Listening
S Speaking
R Reading
W Writing

Materials in the training session

The following materials are recommended for this training session:

»» Bicycle/s
»» (Bicycle) map/s (of local area) (many cities or regions have their own bicycle map/s, please
ask the local tourist information)
»» Bicycle repair set
»» Clipboard
»» Coloured chalk
»» Declaration of agreement
»» First aid kit
»» Flip chart
»» Helmet/s
»» Trainer guide ‘All around cycling’
»» Insurance

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Introduction 5

»» Markers
»» Observatory/Evaluation form
»» Paper
»» Pens
»» Portfolio/s (optional)
»» Whiteboard
»» Worksheets for trainees

Portfolio
To ensure the practical use of the information given in the training session and to ensure that the
learning process continues afterwards, each participant is invited to produce a portfolio of what
has been done in the training session. This portfolio can be used as a means to assess the per-
sonal development of the trainees and will be filled with photos, useful sentences, pictures, maps
and so on. The participants will receive worksheets and practical exercises during the training ses-
sion which they can use to fill up their portfolio. By focussing on the personal needs of the par-
ticipants, it is possible to individualise the portfolio in the form of a personalised cycling-manual.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 1: Intake 6

Excercises
Part 1: Intake

In this part of the session, the basic knowledge the trainees already have regarding cycling will
be explored. The starting point adresses the cycling habits, needs, wishes and experiences of the
trainees.

EXERCISE 1

Content Experiences in cycling

The trainees are asked about their experiences, skills and
wishes concerning cycling.

Didactical tools Group/personal discussion

Ask the participants before the training how experienced
they are in cycling to get a first insight of your training pro-
gramme.

Example/s:
• What is their motivation to learning to ride a bike in real
traffic?
• Did they already ride their bike in real traffic?
• Do they have previous experiences (good ones or bad
ones) they want to talk about?

Collect the answers on a flip chart and point out the needs
and wishes of the trainees concerning cycling.

Materials Flip chart/whiteboard, markers, paper and pens

Time needed ~ 5 min/participant

Language/CEFR-level and skills Level: all

(for language teachers) Skills: L, S, R

Total time needed for Part 1 ~ 1 h

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 2: Theory 7

Part 2: Theory

In this part of the training session, important knowledge and tips and tricks for practical bicycle
training will be obtained. Hence, the trainees will gain insight into the different parts of a bicycle
and country specific traffic regulations for cyclists.

EXERCISE 2

Content Different parts of a bicycle

Didactical tools Group discussion and exercise

Let the trainees guess which parts of the bicycle they think
are statutory in their (new) home country and hand out
Worksheet 1 and 2.

After the exercise ask them if the regulation concerning

statutory bike equipment differs from their country of ori-
gin.

Materials Trainer guide ‘All around cycling’

The safely equipped bicycle, p. 3 f.

Worksheet 1
Statutory parts of a bicycle

Worksheet 2
Parts of a bicycle (extended version)

Time needed ~ 30 min

Language/CEFR-level and skills Level: all

(for language teachers) Skills: S (R, W)

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 2: Theory 8

EXERCISE 3

Content Important traffic signs

In preparation for the bicycle training in real traffic, the
trainees become familiar with the most important traffic
signs in a playful way.

Didactical tools Group discussion/Quiz

Carry out a quiz with your trainees by showing different
traffic signs and let them guess the meaning of the signs by
providing Worksheet 3.

Summarise and discuss the outcome in a common group

discussion.

Materials Trainer guide ‘All around cycling’

Basic traffic signs for cyclists, p. 9 ff.

Worksheet 3
Traffic signs

Pictures of traffic signs

Time needed ~ 30 min

Language/CEFR-level and skills Level: all

(for language teachers) Skills: L, S, W

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 2: Theory 9

EXERCISE 4

Content The right behaviour on the street – Important traffic rules

The trainees obtain knowledge on the right behaviour on
the street and become familiar with the most important
country specific traffic rules.

Didactical tools Exercise

Carry out an exercise with your trainees by raising the fol-
lowing questions:

• Do all trainees know about the traffic regulations in

their (new) home country?
• Do they know about the right behaviour on the street in
this country?
• Which kind of crossings do they know?
• What is a regulated crossing and which priority rules are
determinant in this country?
• What is an unregulated crossing and which priority rules
are determinant in this country?

Provide Worksheet 4 and 5 and discuss the outcome.

Materials Trainer guide ‘All around cycling’

Priority rules on regulated crossings, p. 12
Priority rules on unregulated crossings, p. 13

Worksheet 4
Traffic rules on regulated crossings

Worksheet 5
Traffic rules on unregulated crossings

Time needed ~ 30 min

Language/CEFR-level and skills Level: all

(for language teachers) Skills: L, S, R, W

Total time needed for Part 2 ~ 1 h 30 min

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 10

Part 3: Practice

The theory is put into practice. The practical part of the session covers the bicycle training in a
speed limited real traffic environment including the ‘Bicycle riding skills’-check in a protected area
(school yard, parking lot, sports field, etc.).

EXERCISE 5

Content The ‘Bicycle riding skills’-check

The actual bicycle riding skills of the trainees will be
checked in a playful way in a protected area.

Didactical tools Four basic exercises in a protected area give you informa-
tion about the actual bicycle riding skills of the trainees:
1. Right use of breaks
2. Turn left with a hand signal
3. Turn right with a hand signal
4. Vision faculty check

These exercises will show you if the participants have

enough balance, coordination and vision faculty to take
part in real traffic.
Please use the following exercises for the ‘Bicycle riding
skills’-check which are described below and accompany
the exercises with an observatory form (in the Annex of the
trainer guide), so that you can give feedback to the trainees.

Materials Trainer guide ‘All around cycling’

How to organise bicycle activities and training courses?,
p. 18 ff.
Tips for bicycle training in traffic reality, p. 22 ff.

Observatory form
Trainer guide/Annex, p. 28 f.

Bicycles, helmets, coloured chalk, repair set, first aid kit,

clipboard, writing utilities, observatory form, further
equipment

Time needed ~ 1 h 30 min (for one unit)

Language/CEFR-level and skills Level: all

(for language teachers) Skills: L, S

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 11

→→ The ‘Bicycle riding skills’-check in a protected area

(as preparation for bicycle training in real traffic)
In practice, the trainees misjudge their own skills sometimes. To be sure that all trainees are really
prepared for participating in real traffic, there are four basic exercises for a protected area which
help to receive the right overview of existing skills:

EXERCISE 5.1

Right use of breaks The first exercise takes a deeper look on the trainees’ abil-
ity to stop the bike on a certain spot. As a preparation, use
a chalk to draw a clearly visible line on the ground.

This exercise not only helps you to check the skills of the
trainees, but also helps you to detect bikes with bad brakes
before you carry out any other exercises.

The trainees have to:

1. Look back over the right shoulder before starting to ride

– as an exercise to check that no other road user is com-
ing when starting to ride on the street.
2. Ride to the clear chalk line on the ground.
3. Stop the bike so that the front wheel hub is exactly over
the chalk line.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 12

EXERCISE 5.2

Turn left with a hand signal Being able to give a clear hand signal without loosing bal-
ance is one of the basic skills for real traffic. In this exercise
the trainees learn first how to turn left.

For turning left the trainees have to conduct the following

five steps:

1. Look back over the right shoulder before starting to ride

– as an exercise to check that no other road user is com-
ing when starting to ride on the street.
2. Ride their bikes straight ahead for 20–30 metres.
3. Give a clear hand signal for turning left without losing
balance.
4. Turning left with both hands on the handle bar.
5. Queuing up in the row of trainees again.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf


EXERCISE 5.3
Turn right with a hand signal
TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf
Safe cycling
Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 13
In the third exercise the trainees learn how to turn right.
Turning right is much more challenging for cyclists than
turning left as they have to leave the left driving lane and
cross to the right side by keeping their balance and paying
attention to all other road users.
For turning right the trainees have to conduct the follow-
ing six steps:
1. Look back over the right shoulder before starting to ride
– as an exercise to check that no other road user is com-
ing when starting to ride on the street.
2. Ride their bikes straight ahead for 20–30 metres.
3. Look back over their right shoulder – as an exercise to
check if no other road user is overtaking.
4. Give a clear hand signal for turning right without losing
balance.
5. Turning right with both hands on the handle bar.
6. Queuing up in the row of trainees again.
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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 14

EXERCISE 5.4

Vision faculty check A conscious look over your shoulder is important to be

aware of the behaviour of other road users behind and
around you.

To raise this awareness and to check if all trainees have a

sufficient visual and balance faculty, conduct the following
exercise in a protected area in four different steps:

1. The trainee looks over his/her right shoulder before

starting to ride.
2. After several metres of riding, the trainer shouts ‘Now!’
and raises his/her hand, showing any number of fingers.
3. The trainee has to look over his/her right shoulder,
count the fingers and shout the number of fingers given
by the trainer, all without losing balance.
4. Then the trainee has to turn right with both hands on
the handle bar, finish the round and queue up in the
row of trainees.

((
 
If all trainees are able to conduct the exercises mentioned above, they can be considered
as skilled enough to participate in real traffic training. In case any trainee was not stable
enough, you as a trainer have to decide if you still want to take him/her with you or if it
would be better to propose him/her to participate in a training course for beginners.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 15

EXERCISE 6

Content Bicycle training in real traffic

This training course is aimed at participants who have skills
in bicycle riding and feel secure enough to take part in the
cycle training in real traffic.

Didactical tools Please use the following exercises for bicycle training in
real traffic which are described below, and accompany the
exercises with an observatory form (in the Annex of the
trainer guide), so that you can give feedback to the train-
ees.

Materials Trainer guide ‘All around cycling’

How to organise bicycle activities and training courses?,
p. 18 ff.
Tips for bicycle training in traffic reality, p. 22 ff.

Observatory form
Trainer guide/Annex, p. 28 f.

Bicycles, helmets, coloured chalk, repair set, first aid kit,

clipboard, writing utilities, observatory form, further equip-
ment

Time needed ~ 2–3 h (for one unit)

Language/CEFR-level and skills Level: all

(for language teachers) Skills: L, S

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 16

→→ Bicycle training in real traffic

To start with, start riding around as a group in the chosen training area. It is important to make all
trainees aware that they should act as if they would be driving by themselves.

That includes:

• Observing the traffic by themselves.

• Choose the right behaviour by themselves.

• Show hand signals by themselves.

It is advised to have one trainer riding in front of the group and one riding behind the group to ob-
serve the behaviour of the trainees and give important hints for people performing inappropri-
ately. In any case, the trainer-trainee-ratio should not exceed 1:8!

Choose an easy route with bicycle lanes and small streets with less traffic. Practice stopping and
turning left at different crossings as trained in the ‘Bicycle riding skills’-check. On your route dis-
cuss different traffic signs (e. g. stop, give way, one-way traffic, etc.) and various priority rules for
cyclists.

After riding a certain time, head to a crossing and stop there to practise turning right, the most
difficult part of riding in real traffic.

It is important to discuss the right sequence of actions needed to turn right with the trainees.

Let the people tell you about the right sequence of actions necessary to turn right.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 17

In detail, the right sequence of turning right consists of seven steps:

Step 1
Look Back! Looking back over the right shoulder before starting to ride and before giving the hand
signal is crucial.

Step 2
Give a clear hand signal for turning right.

Step 3
Go to the middle lane. While doing so, the right hand should be returned to the handle bar.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 18

Step 4
Drive up to the stop line. If visibility is not sufficient, slowly pull into the crossing so that the cross
traffic can be easily seen.

Step 5
Stop at the crossing and let the crossing and oncoming traffic pass – have your pedals prepared
for riding on.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 19

Step 6
With both hands on the handle bar turn to the right quickly in a wide arc.

Step 7
Continue – not too tight – on the left side of the road.

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 3: Practice 20

→→ Generally
This sequence should be done by every participant individually, the trainer can observe each step
and fill in the observatory form, give feedback to the trainees explaining which steps they made
well and which they have to improve on.

((
 
Always give priority to crossing pedestrians on zebra crossings!

Total time needed for Part 3 ~ 3 h 30 min – 4 h 30 min (for one unit)

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf

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Training session 2
Part 4: Round-up 21

Part 4: Round-up

The purpose of this part is to make a round-up of this training session. The trainees are invited to
talk about their experiences.

EXERCISE 7

Content Feedback and future

Didactical tools Feedback round

Ask the participants how they liked the course and if they
still want to do more exercises.

Give personal feedback to their skills and find motivating

words on how to proceed per person. Work with the ob-
servatory form.

Materials Observatory form

Trainer guide/Annex, p. 28 f.

Time needed ~ 45 min

Language/CEFR-level and skills Level: all

(for language teachers) Skills: L, S

Total time needed for Part 4 ~ 45 min

Total time needed for ~ 6 h 45 min – 7 h 45 min

Training session 2 (with one practical unit)

TOGETHER_Cycling_3_Training session 2.pdf