Bike Ed
Bike Ed is delivered in schools and community settings. The program helps children aged 9 to 13 years develop the skills they need to ride safely and independently on roads and paths.
Important message
Bike Ed Pilot Program for Schools - Term 2 2021
The Department of Transport is redeveloping the Bike Ed program and we have an opportunity for primary schools and secondary schools (years 7-9) to run a pilot program for the new Bike Ed. Taking part in the pilot means that you will receive a range of resources to run the program. You will also receive grant money to assist with the purchase of any infrastructure (helmets, bikes etc.) or to put toward teacher training (accreditation, CRT cover etc) needs that will help to run the program.
The new Bike Ed program contains 3 modules in primary school (for grades P-2, 3-4 and 5-6) and one module for early secondary school, with the progression being to have students learn bike riding skills, then learning off-road path riding skills and then moving to developing on-road skills and confidence. The new program is being developed so as to be as easy as possible for Physical Education teachers to run within the existing school environment and will include unit plans, lesson plans and class resources. Each program will contain between 7-8.5 hours of lessons and activities (8-10 lessons of 45 minutes) which can be completed flexibly to suit your school. The program has been developed with input from ACHPER and other educational stakeholders.
The requirements for running the Bike Ed pilot program will be:
- Must run during the beginning of term 2, with completion by May 24 (ie, end of week 5)
- Complete student and parent evaluation. This will demonstrate whether the program is effective and engaging.
- Leaders of out-of-school rides must have Bike Ed accreditation, or become accredited prior to the out of school rides. Grants are available to help teachers and volunteers gain accreditation, as well as covering related CRT costs. The out-of-school rides will happen at the end of the program and one accredited rider must accompany each group whilst on excursion.
Grants of up to $4000 will be available to schools to help them undertake a Bike Ed pilot. School applicants must demonstrate:
- Commitment to completing the Bike Ed pilot and evaluation surveys within the time period.
- How the grant money will help improve cycling education at the school.
- Commitment that at least one Bike Ed accredited teacher or helper will be present on any out-of-school rides.
If you wish to be considered for the Bike Ed pilot program or have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Department of Transport as soon as possible at [email protected] with your name, school name and contact details including your email address.
About Bike Ed
The program involves a mix of practical activities conducted off-road (in the school grounds) and on-road (on local roads) together with classroom activities. The Bike Ed Instructor's Manual is the key component of Bike Ed. The manual consists of five modules:
- getting started
- basic bike skills
- building skills for riding in traffic
- riding on paths and
- riding on-road.
The Bike Ed Instructor's Manual is available for sale or download (see below). Additional Bike Ed resources are also available for download below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Bike Ed?
Bike Ed aims to enable students to:
- gain knowledge and understanding of the road traffic environment and the road rules
- develop the physical and cognitive skills to manage the road traffic environment safely as a cyclist
- develop responsible behaviours, attitudes and decision-making skills for the safe use of bicycles both on and off the road through participation in enjoyable learning experiences relevant to their ages and abilities.
Bike Ed inspires children to develop their bicycle riding skills and their physical capability. Other benefits include enhanced health, fitness and wellbeing, confidence and independence and learning and social development.
Who can teach Bike Ed?
Bike Ed is delivered in schools and community settings. It is often delivered by teachers. However, municipalities, the police and community groups/volunteers can play a role in supporting the implementation of Bike Ed programs in schools.
To find out what is available in your local area contact your local council or the road safety coordinator for your region.
How can I get my Bike Ed instructor qualification?
Bicycle Safety Education Instructor Training for teachers and other school support personnel is delivered at local venues throughout the state by CyclingSafe.
CyclingSafe is an independent provider and is not affiliated with VicRoads.
The instructor certificate lasts for 5 years. People who have held the certificate for more than 5 years need to do a short refresher course.
Many of our students do not own bikes or do not ride to school. Do you provide equipment to run Bike Ed?
VicRoads and other organisations provide bicycle trailers with student bicycles, adult bicycles, helmets, vests and dome markers. The bicycle trailers are available for hire but demand is often high so they need to be booked well ahead. Contact details are provided in the table below.
Bicycle trailer contacts
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* This trailer contains equipment for the BikeEd Challenge and does not contain bikes.
VicRoads is undertaking a review of the Bike Ed program which is delivered in schools and community settings.
VicRoads is reviewing the Bike Ed program with the goal of modernising the curriculum and increasing safe participation of students, schools and the wider community in the program.
To date the following have been undertaken to support the review:
- A Bike Ed advisory panel established.
- Three key research products have been commissioned.
- 1. A literature review examining best-practice programs, psycho-social milestones and enablers and barriers to cycling participation.
- 2. The development of cycling education framework for young and older students of cycling
- 3. Stakeholder interviews
- Consultation with Victorian and interstate jurisdictions
- A Feasibility study into opportunities to improve the current delivery model.
- A BikeEd Curriculum Scope Report
What happens next?
Curriculum redesign
The project team is currently redesigning the Bike Ed program to have flexible and customisable modules that focus on the rider’s skills and knowledge levels, including:
- Starting out
- Path to road
- Getting on the road
How can I get involved?
We’ll be engaging schools and community groups to be involved in developing and trialling the new BikeEd program.
If you’re interested in being involved, want to keep informed of the progress of the development of the new program, or have any specific questions, please get in touch.
Email: [email protected]
What other assistance is available?
There are a number of community organisations that have trained and enthusiastic Bike Ed assistants who can help schools throughout Victoria to deliver Bike Ed.
Ride2School
Contact Ride2School on (03) 8636 8888 for more information.
Ride2School website
[email protected] website
Cycling unlimited
Cycling Unlimited website
VicRoads does not approve or endorse any provider on the list. The names and contact details are provided for information purposes only.