National Standard Review 2017 starts soon
A review of the National Standard for Cycle Training will commence shortly.
All Bikeability schemes have been contacted with the information provided below to help answer initial questions, provide information on the timetable for the review and how to get involved.
What is the National Standard (specifically)?
The National Standard for Cycle Training (commonly just called the National Standard) is the series of Outcomes that describe effective cycling and cyclist instruction and contribute to getting more people cycling, more safely, more often.
The National Standard consists of the following:
• The Outcomes that trainees demonstrate when undertaking training at Levels 1, 2 and 3 (the ‘trainee outcomes’);
• The Outcomes that trainee instructors must demonstrate when learning how to be a National Standard Instructor (the ‘instructor outcomes’);
• The Outcomes that trainee instructor trainers must demonstrate when learning how to be a National Standard Instructor Trainer (the ‘Instructor trainer outcomes’).
What’s within the scope of the National Standard Review?
All the above outcomes are within the scope of the review, as are the centralised courses to deliver them.
What’s the difference between the National Standard and Bikeability?
The National Standard is the set Outcomes that underpins the skills necessary for cyclists and instructors. Bikeability is the DfT-funded award scheme through which the DfT promotes the National Standard in England.
Why does the National Standard need to be revised?
A 5-year cycle of review is in place to ensure that the National Standard can continue to evolve to respond to changing circumstances and remain relevant. As the National Standard was last revised in 2012 it is now timely to look at it once again.
How can I get involved?
The industry will have a key role in the revision, both in setting the direction of travel for the changes that need to be made to the National Standard, and the detail of it. Other stakeholder organisations outside of the industry, such as disability or motoring organisations, will also have a valuable contribution to make.
Contributions from the industry will be via registered Bikeability Schemes, and via stakeholder organisations. This means that it will be important for schemes and stakeholder organisations to consult with their instructors/members to canvass their views, before submitting their collective response. It is hoped that this will encourage debate amongst organisations about the role and the detail of the National Standard.
The overall timetable for the review is as follows:
1. Mid August to early October 2017: Stage One engagement. Schemes and stakeholder organisations will be able to provide their response to a series of key question prompts regarding the overall direction of travel for revisions to the National Standard, via an online form.
2. September 2017: A number of regional workshops will also be held for schemes and stakeholder organisations to provide their views.
3. Early October – end December 2017: All submissions will be analysed and the National Standard will be redrafted in accordance with the views received.
4. Early January – end February 2018: Stage Two engagement: Schemes and stakeholder organisations will be able to provide their response to the revised National Standard, via an online form.
5. March 2018: Final changes to the National Standard will be made.
6. End March 2018: We envisage that the new National Standard will be in place by the end of March 2018.
Schemes and other stakeholder organisations will be alerted by email and further information will be posted here on the Bikeability website to let you know that the formal review process has started. You will be directed to a new National Standard Review website where all the information you need will be provided. In the meantime, please do start to think about the changes to the National Standard that you would like to see, and how your ideas can be discussed with colleagues within your scheme or stakeholder organisation.