Image: TfL
TfL says its partnership with Halfords is helping to ensure people have ‘the skills they need to cycle around the Capital with confidence’ – and the right equipment to keep their bikes safe.
In November 2020, TfL launched a new collaboration with the cycling retailer to encourage Londoners to safely and securely lock up their bikes and reduce the risk of theft.
As part of the collaboration, everyone who completes TfL’s free online Cycle Skills course will receive 15% off Halfords’ own brand locks – ‘making good quality deterrents more affordable’ – as well as lights and helmets.
Since then, more than 12,000 people have registered for the course, which is available on the TfL website.
The course caters for riders of all abilities, from new cyclists to those who want to brush up on their skills after a long break. It follows Bikeability National Standards and consists of four modules, also covering issues such as pre-ride checks and riding with children.
The four modules comprise:
- Get ready to ride: guidance for pre-ride checks to your bike’s tyre air pressure, brakes and chain, along with tips for basic control and handling
- First time on the road: practical advice for how to start cycling on the roads safely and responsibly while avoiding potential hazards
- On the road again: confidence-boosting tips for people looking to return to cycling after a long break, covering how to share the road safely and communicate with other road users
- Cycling with children: guidance for cycling safely with children and in a group
Heidi Alexander, deputy mayor for transport, said: “Seeing more people out on bikes over the last year has been one of the few good things to have happened as a result of the pandemic.
“This partnership between TfL and Halfords is helping to ensure people have the skills they need to cycle around the capital with confidence, and the right equipment to keep them and their bikes safe. We continue to work with boroughs to make our roads safer for all road users.”
Despite fewer journeys being made during the pandemic, TfL says cycling numbers continue to be significantly above the long-term average at weekends.
One weekend (26-28 February 2021) saw an increase of 240% compared to the same weekend in 2020.
09 June 2021