Cycling help and tips

Helping you stay safe and healthy

If you are new to cycling, or are returning after a long period out of the saddle, it can be quite daunting.

These sections are to help you on your way to days of care free riding.

Bike Training

The Chester Cycling Demonstration Town funding has enabled the Council to offer Bikeability training.

The first step has been to offer the training to all the Chester area primary schools, aimed at Year 6 pupils before they move up to secondary school.

Bikeability is a national scheme, using trained instructors and is separated into three levels.

Continue reading about Bikeability training.

Staying Safe

It is important to know the rules of the road and the correct cycling etiquette when out and about cycling. The NHS website provides tips on road safety and the law relating to cycling. You can reduce the risk of accidents by following the rules of the road, acting responsibly towards other road users and following the advise on this website.

Tips on buying a bike

If this is your first bike, or you are looking for a new one, we've found a great website that can take you through the different models and give a rough idea of costs. Armed with this information visit your local bike shop and tell them the type of cycling you are interested in.

The Why Cycle website provides honest, impartial advice to help you choose a bike, and for that bike to be both suitable and comfortable for your intended usage.

Also visit the Cycle Shops page to find the closest shop to where you live.

Security 


With increasing numbers of us owning bicycles, it's important to know how to keep them safe. Especially as more of us are being encouraged to take up cycling both to improve our health and as an alternative form of transport to reduce congestion and emissions. Hundreds of thousands of bikes are stolen each year in England and Wales.

  • Always lock your bicycle when you leave it
  • Avoid leaving your bike in isolated places. Leave where the public can see it, however try not to leave on public display for long periods- even if locked properly.
  • Use a bike stand or shed if there is one available.
  • Lock your bicycle through the frame using two ‘sold secure‘ approved security devices.
  • Secure or remove wheels - secure removable parts; lock both the wheels and the frame together and remove smaller parts and accessories that cannot be secured.
  • Lock your bike to an immovable object, such as a bike rack or ground anchors. Thieves can remove drainpipes and lift bikes off signposts.
  • Make the lock and bike hard to manoeuvre when parked.  Stop thieves smashing it open by keeping the lock away from the ground. 
  • Keep the gap between bike and lock small.
  • Take out insurance on your bike, either by extending your home contents insurance or by creating a separate policy.  Cycling organisations and bike shops may offer specialist cover.
  • Security mark the frame. Take a photograph of your cycle and keep it safe Make a note of the serial number, make and model and keep it with the photograph of the cycle.
  • You can register your bicycle model, make and frame number at http://www.immobilise.com/, this will help the police to recover your bike if it's stolen.


Keeping Healthy

Cycling is a brilliant way to stay healthy, fit, and active.

However it is not the only way. The Cheshire and Warrington Sports Partnership website has information on the many ways to keep fit and healthy in the area. Including a section on cycling.