This article was published in 2004, in Newsletter 54.
You might have seen in the national news, back in March, that Oxford University was paying for a free cycle-training service for its staff. The training was provided by the Bristol-based organisation Life Cycle UK (www.lifecycleuk.org.uk).
Cambridge has had its own Adult Cycle Training Scheme since the summer of 1999. This scheme, now under the stewardship of Lindsey Rushmore of the Travel for Work Partnership, has really grown in recent years. I can say, from personal experience, that the one-to-one sessions are very helpful, whether you are new to cycling, want to gain some confidence, or want to chat about strategies for tackling particular routes and junctions. Age is no barrier: a 71-year-old was trained recently.
Trainees spend an hour or two in the company of an accredited trainer. Three additional such trainers have just been appointed, following an advert in the Cycling Campaign Newsletter, and they will be trained in June.
Cycle Training will get a big push again in Bike Week this year, as free training sessions will be available, Monday to Friday (14-18 June), 12pm-2pm, from Parker’s Piece. These sessions do need to be booked in advance.
If you know anyone who needs just a little encouragement to cycle a bit more, do encourage them to contact Lindsey, either now, or for Bike Week. 
(01223) 712455, 
lindsey.rushmore@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
More details on cycle training for children and adults are available on the Campaign website: www.camcycle.org.uk/resources/training
Clare Macrae