Cycling Training for the Over 50's!!!

September 20, 2014 by Joanna Harrison

This bikeability course is designed to get older people cycling and to use a bike as a means of transport to encourage them to become more active and therefore fitter and healthier.

Cycles can be borrowed for the sessions which run from 9:30am until 11:30am and the course programme, which costs just £10 is as follows:

Monday 29th September starting at Southend Marine Activities Centre, Eastern Esplanade, Southend:
An introduction with tea and coffee where there will be a fitting and maintenance check of bikes.
The session will then move to a nearby park to cover the basic skills needed before going out on the road.

Monday 6th October/Monday 13th October/Monday 20th 
On-road training on quiet residential roads to cover starting and stopping a journey, road positioning, passing parked cars, passing side roads, U turns and what to do at junctions

Monday 27th October 
A leisurely guided ride with our instructors so that trainees can put into practice all that they have learnt in the four previous sessions.

All the sessions will be run by two accredited instructors and will be tailored to meet the needs of the trainees.

Executive Councillor for Public Protection, Waste and Transport, Councillor Martin Terry said: “We believe there is a need to encourage older cyclists to get back on their bikes. This course is a great way to tempt people back into the saddle safely with expert guidance. It is a golden opportunity for those who may be a bit tentative about cycling, to gain confidence and skills they can then continue to develop. “I cycle and walk as much as I can, and cycling is a great low impact exercise which is a good way for anybody to improve their general health, fitness and lose weight.”

To book a place or to find out more information please contact Collette Kemp 01702 215338 or Elaine Swallow 01702 215595 or email us at cyclesouthend@southend.gov.uk. There will also be future courses so if you cannot make these dates, please register for our waiting list.