The Wiltshire Council Road Safety team
The Road Safety team is responsible for delivering education and training initiatives to improve road user safety, including programmes for schools and the general public.
We are part of the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership, working together with Wiltshire Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Swindon Borough Council and National Highways England to reduce the number and severity of casualties on our roads.
Our programmes for schools
We offer practical training and advice to school communities to enable children, young people and their families to understand and respond to risk when using the roads and to empower them to choose active travel options as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Walk Safe
A combination of classroom and practical activities delivered by specialist Road Safety staff. The training targets Year 1, 3 and 6 pupils and aims to encourage children and families to walk more often and more safely. Year 6 ‘Are you streetwise?’ sessions focus on transition to secondary schools, including route planning.
This training is currently provided free-of-charge.
Scootability
A one-hour practical session for primary pupils in Years 1-6, which focuses on balance and control skills and responsible scooter use. Each session is adapted to suit the needs and ability of the specific age group. Training is delivered by a Road Safety Officer through discussion, demonstration and practice. Each pupil will receive a certificate. We can accommodate a maximum of 10 Key Stage 1 or 15 Key Stage 2 pupils per session. We may apply a minimum number of pupils depending on location and circumstances.
There is a small charge per head for this training (£6.34 for 2024-25 school year)
Bikeability
Bikeability is the national cycle training programme, funded by Active Travel England and delivered by qualified, registered and DBS-checked National Standard instructors. More information about the national programme may be found here: www.bikeability.org.uk
Training is delivered in 3 stages:
- Level 1 - aims to develop cycle handling in an off-road environment and prepare riders for cycling on the road. Riders must be able to cycle (i.e. pedal and glide) to participate in Bikeability Level 1.
- Level 2 - will develop riders’ skills and confidence for cycling on single-lane roads and simple junctions with mostly moderate motor traffic flows, preparing riders to deal with short journeys such as cycling to school or the local shops.
A combined Level 1&2 course is offered in Wiltshire for children in Year 6 and above. The training is usually 10 hours over 2 full school days, with a maximum of 6 riders per instructor. The subsidised cost for the 2024-25 school year is £6.34 per pupil.
- Level 3 - prepares riders to ride in more challenging road and traffic situations, such as busier streets, queuing traffic, complex junctions and roundabouts. It also includes planning routes for safe cycling. Riders must have completed Level 2 prior to Level 3.
Level 3 training is generally offered for Wiltshire students in Year 7 and above. The training is 3 hours with a maximum of 3 riders per instructor. The subsidised cost for the 2024-25 school year is £6.34 per pupil.
All riders receive the appropriate level award materials (certificate and badge) for participation.
Children and young people may face barriers to taking part in Bikeability and we will do our best to overcome these wherever possible. Loan cycles are available for children without one of their own and appropriate support can be given to pupils with additional needs, but we request plenty of notice to discuss and put suitable arrangements in place.
Courses may also be run from time to time for the general public in school holidays and the charge for these sessions is currently £10 per rider.
Further details for schools, including session content, policies and booking information can be found at Right Choice: Road Safety(opens new window).
How can you help?
Organise a walking bus with other parents
A walking bus involves a group of children walking between home and school under the guidance of at least two trained adult volunteers. It can also work for a park-and-stride scheme to enable children to walk at least part of the way to school from an agreed parking area.
Help and support is available from the council. Once you have identified a potential route and have some parent volunteers available, you can contact the road safety team to undertake a risk-assessment of the route and to train the volunteers.
Become a Bikeability instructor
If you are over 18 years old, with a passion for cycling, experience working with children or young people and great communication skills you could become a registered Bikeability instructor and work for us on a freelance basis delivering our Bikeability programme in Wiltshire schools. Find out more about the national scheme: How to become an instructor and contact us for more information on working in Wiltshire.