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Bikeability Moving Groups
Posted: 24th June

It is inevitable that at some point as a Cycle Training Instructor (CTI) that you will need to move a group from its meeting point to a suitable training area. This may require you to lead a group on or off road, and may include road layouts with which the trainees are not familiar and have received no training on. Moving Groups will only take place when delivering Level 1 and 2 sessions, Level 3 sessions are usually delivered on a one-one basis therefore moving a group does not apply.

Who can lead the groups?
All fully qualified CTI's are able to lead groups of trainees on the road when moving locations. Assistant instructors, ride leaders and coaches may ride within the group, however must not assist in moving the group. When moving groups, instructors should be paired up, with one leading the group and the other situated at the back of the group. As there are two instructors, then the group should consist of up to 12 trainees, with this complying with the instructor to trainee ratio of 1:6

Equipment
All CTI's should wear the high visibility jackets and helmets that they would normally wear during an on-road training session. For moving longer distances, the CTIs should consider a suitable toolkit, first aid kit, and ask trainees to carry additional clothing or drinks to suit the weather.

Trainees
Trainees being moved on the road should first complete and meet the criteria of the Level 1 outcomes. They should not move on road to the Level 1 venue, however may move off road (for example, through the school grounds or a park). Trainees must be confident at moving two abreast and following closely behind another trainee in the Level 1 environment before moving on road as a group.

Health and Safety
Moving groups on road is a challenging and potentially hazardous activity. Doing it safely requires the CTIs to have a good understanding of the on-road environment, be competent in conducting a dynamic risk assessment and to make sure trainees are well briefed on how the group will operate.
You should complete a static risk assessment of the route prior to using it with a group, and dynamically risk assess whilst they are riding to ensure that the route selected remains appropriate.
The lead CTI is generally best placed to assess the route while moving as he has the best view of the route ahead.

Instructor Position
Instructor positioning is covered in more detail within the British Cycling Bikeability Moving Groups Workbook, but as a guide you should consider the following basic rules:
• Keep fellow CTIs in sight
• Leave one bike length to the rider / trainee in front
• Position the two columns of riders straddling either the secondary or primary positions as appropriate.

Communication
Good communication between CTIs is essential for safely moving groups whether on or off road. It is important that only CTIs signal as trainees should concentrate on riding in a group and there is no need to signal in the middle of a group. The only exception to this is of the rear CTI has moved forwards in which case the rear trainee may be required to signal in his place. All CTIs should use conventional arm signals to signal to other road users, eye contact to negotiate with road users, and high arm signals above their heads to signal to each other in the group.

Selecting Routes
Routes to training sites should be selected which generally use the shortest possible route between the site and the meeting point. However, later sessions of a Level 2 course may involve using a longer route in order to build trainee's confidence at making shorter trips.

More information is available for CTI's on Moving Groups of Riders within the British Cycling Bikeability Moving Groups Workbook. The workbook contains information on practice activities that you can do with your riders in the Level 1 environment, and guides for how to navigate your way with groups along minor and major roads.

The workbook can purchased from the Cycle Training Team for only £8.95.
For more information please email: cycletraining@britishcycling.org.uk or call 0161 274 2129