5.6. Training in different environments
No junction is the same. Every site will be different in some way – whether you’re riding through it or stopping to deliver training. There are so many variables. These include: the amount of pavement space (if any), sight lines, suitable places to stand the cycles, the width of a junction, the presence of road markings, and the amount, speed and type of other road users. Suitable sites may also be far from your training base.
Training in rural communities comes with particular challenges, for example certain types of infrastructure may not exist. But remember that these are the roads that local riders have to use, so use this as a positive learning experience.
In these instances, you have to adapt and make decisions about what and how to teach.
What to consider when delivering training:
- Remember that this is the riders’ local area and these are the roads they will be using – be positive and adapt your training to the site.
- Plan a journey that includes local infrastructure and work with the infrastructure available. Do not worry if this does not fit a traditional progression of activities.
- Focus on helping riders apply the four key skills in whatever scenario they find themselves, including situations they are likely to encounter locally (for example, riding with agricultural machinery on the roads).
- When moving groups, ask questions and encourage independent decision making.
- Think about the size of your group and whether or not you’re working with a co-instructor. Are the ratios suitable for the environment?
- In areas where there is no traffic, use riders in the group to create some. Encourage independent decision making in the area that you have defined, and allow more riders on the road at one time.
- How far can you ride with your group? Do you need to change the length of the journey accordingly, or can riders and cycles be transported to another location?
5.5. Working with children