Course Aims & Objectives

This course is designed as a follow on from the Karts course.  Please see photographs of our students in action by clicking here.

Rationale

1% of all road users in the UK are motorcyclists. 20% of all Road Traffic Accidents that result in Death or Serious Injury involve a motorcyclist. 1 in 3 of these riders are 16-24 year old moped riders. ( Social Research Associates (SRA) and the University College London (UCL) , 2008.  www.sraltd.co.uk)

Part of this study conducted by the SRA and UCL revealed that in Bristol most of these riders lived in the most deprived areas of the city and from 150 16-17 year old moped riders who lived in these areas:-

• 25% had not taken Compulsory Basic Training
• 25% admitted to de-restricting their mopeds (invalidated their vehicle insurance)
• 50% had been involved in a Road Traffic accident and gave multiple causes such as:-
  • Poor road surfaces (83%)
  • Dangerous Driving by others (75%)
  • Dangerous Driving by self (60%) ”That’s the point” ”That’s what we do it for”
  • Moped in poor condition (34%)

Our Moped course forms part of an overall strategy by the West of England Road Safety Partnership to address and reduce the current levels of deaths and serious injuries resulting from Road Traffic accidents involving  new moped riders.

Course Aim

Wheels is aiming to make a significant contribution in lowering the number of Road Traffic Accidents involving new moped riders.

The course intends to engage and prepare new MOPED riders for safe, responsible riding and to equip them with the basic skills required to maintain their moped safely.

The primary target group for this course are local groups of disaffected, disadvantaged, 16 – 19 years who are not disqualified from riding and have not gained the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate.

The course operates from purpose built premises which include a modern, professional motor vehicle workshop, dedicated classrooms and a safe, off road, practice area for rider training.

Only 1 group attends our site at any one time in order to minimise potential disruptions and maintain learner focus.

Aims

• Equip new riders with the skills and knowledge required to reduce their risks of  involvement in a serious road traffic accident
• Prepare new riders to ride their moped on the road legally
• Provide an alternative for new riders to access the world of work

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course the young people will be able to:

• Demonstrate their understanding of the highway code.
• Carry out a pre ride check on a moped.
• Carry out routine safety checks on a moped.
• Identify a moped from other motor cycles.
• Successfully complete a knowledge test on:
  • construction and use regs.
  • drink/drive
  • lighting regulations
  • vehicle documentation
• Demonstrate an understanding of responsibilities when buying or selling a vehicle.
• Carry out routine maintenance and repairs on a moped’s:
  • wheels
  • tyres
  • brakes
  • gearbox oil
  • battery
  • cooling system
  • spark plug
  • lights
  • bodywork
• 60% of learners obtain a vocational qualification in motorcycle maintenance
• 60% of learners pass a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) test

For more information on Compulsory Basic Training click here.
For information and practice for the theory test click here.

Notes

• All students who complete the course (100% attendance) will be sponsored to participate in a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course at our local CBT centre.
• Learners will be ineligible for CBT if absent for any course sessions.
• To comply with CBT rules and regulations students must be aged 16 on the day and hold a current, valid provisional drivers licence.

Please note: The provisional driving licence is not paid for or arranged by The Wheels Project.

NOTE:  NO STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO START AFTER WEEK 2.

Details

• Transport of learners to The Wheels Project is not provided.
• The practice riding session is held on private land during week 6.
• A learner’s participation in the skills riding event is at the discretion of the Wheels’ Supervisors – any learner whose behaviour is considered to be too risky on the grounds of safety, or who has missed any sessions, will not qualify to take part.
• All skills riding events are run by qualified, experienced Wheels’ staff and under strict supervision.

Programme

1 x 2.5 hour session a week for 6 weeks plus 1 day of Compulsory Basic Training.

Each session is split evenly between the workshop and classroom and includes a 15 minute break.

Week 1

• Introduction – Board Blast, discussion, setting targets
• Is it safe to ride? – Discussion and Quizzes
• Getting to know your moped – Practical  Demonstration

Week 2

• Documentation needed and CBT
• Highway code
• Workshop Practical – Practical  Repair and Maintenance

Week 3

• Highway Code
• Workshop Practical – Practical  Repair and Maintenance

Week 4

• Highway Code
• Hazard Awareness
• Workshop Practical – Practical  Repair and Maintenance

Week 5

• For Safety’s sake – Exercises and Quizzes
• Workshop Practical – Practical  Repair and Maintenance
• Highway Cade and hazard Awareness

Week 6

• Riding can be safe and fun – Riding activity
• Evaluation, Selection for CBT

+ Date to be confirmed

COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING held at Approved Training Centre (see below)

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)

Compulsory Basic Training is a statutory requirement for all new riders to undertake before riding on a public highway. This training will be arranged and provided for learners by The Wheels Project within 1 month of the final session on condition that they have:-

• completed ALL elements of our Pre CBT for new moped riders course
• hold a valid Provisional Driving Licence
• have passed the eyesight test (read a number plate from 25 metres)
• can demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of the Highway code and Hazard Awareness

The date to undertake CBT will be agreed between the learner, referring agency and The Wheels Project within 12 weeks of completing our programme successfully and fulfilling our conditions. The dates will be notified in writing to the referring agency.

No voucher system will operate.

A learner must notify Ace Motorcycle Training and The Wheels Project beforehand if a problem arises that would lead to the postponement of his/her CBT to arrange a new date.

The Wheels Project must be notified of the outcome of the CBT by the referring agency within 1 month of the CBT outcome.

OPERATOR

The CBT will be provided  by a Driving Standards Agency approved CBT Centre

Their CBT will be run in groups (max size is 4 learners) and be conducted over a full day (8.00am to 6.00pm).

All safety equipment and mopeds are provided by the CBT centre

WHAT DOES COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING (CBT) INVOLVE?

The course involves five elements:

• introduction
• practical on-site training
• practical on-site riding
• practical on-road training
• practical on-road riding (you will go out on the road for a period of not less than two hours in radio contact with your instructor)

The five elements have to be completed in sequence, although the order of the exercises within the element can be varied. You will only move on to the next element when your instructor is satisfied you have learnt the necessary theory and demonstrated the practical skills to a safe basic level.

For more information on Compulsory Basic Training click on the following links:

Find a motorcycle or moped CBT course – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/cbt.htm
www.direct.gov.uk
www.theory-tests.co.uk
https://nomorewastedlivesblog.wordpress.com/
www.shinysideup.co.uk – regional partnership
www.bare-bones.org  – regional website aimed at scooter riders
www.bikesafe.co.uk – website for the Police training scheme
www.sharedintelligence.net

Safety aids

A comprehensive range of workshop equipment overalls, gloves, safety boots, goggles, – all provided by The Wheels Project.

Qualifications

• In-house Silver certificate of completion.
• Compulsory Basic Training Certificate.

Teaching Aids

• A modern, fully equipped mechanical workshop and classroom
• A range of modern mopeds (please note 125cc mopeds for 17 years old and over)

Personal Safety

All safety equipment, overalls, safety boots and full range of rider protective clothing are all provided by The Wheels Project.

Full Risk Assessments undertaken.

Groups

• Groups will be pre-formed by the referring organisation.
• Group size is restricted to 4  learners.
• Wheels does not have more than one group at its centre at any one time.
• Any Learners starting the programme late will not qualify for CBT element of the course.
• A Risk Assessment on pupils must be completed by Key Workers before start of course – those with history of violent behaviour are excluded from Wheels programmes.

Criteria for Selection

Learners Aged between 15.75 – 24 years who are :-

• Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
• Poor educational record
• Financial Hardship
• Holds a provisional Driving Licence (must not be disqualified from driving by the end date of the programme )

Venue

The Wheels Project Ltd
31-32 Bonville Road
Brislington
Bristol BS4 5QH

Tel: 0117 971 1711
Contact: David Glossop, General Manager
Email: david@wheelsproject.org.uk

Staff

• 2 Workshop Supervisors from The Wheels Project
• 1 Teacher/Youth Leader from referring group (preferred option)

Conduct of Students

• No alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed and anyone suspected of being under the influence will be excluded for that session.
• Learners who repeatedly break the rules agreed in week 1 will be warned by our supervisors, their referring officer notified and may be excluded from the group permanently if that behaviour continues.
• Violent behaviour will result in immediate removal from the course.
• Learners will be warned against bullying behaviour and will be removed from the course if this behaviour persists.

Beneficiaries

“Great staff who take an interest in me”

“Helpful and I love working on the vehicles”

“never knew I could do it”

“Great fun and really learned a lot”

Referrers

“well managed, well organised and get plenty of good feedback from Wheels and our students”

“Easy to access and plenty of options”

“Don’t have to commit lots of money all at once”

“Made a fantastic difference to the self-confidence of our students which has helped them engage with what we’re offering back at school”

“An excellent resource which has good policies and practices and offers a safe environment for our students”

“always looking to help us”

“Experts at working with our students”

Partners

“A wonderful environment in which to enable their students to develop skills for work and skills for life”

“Somewhere that provides the care and attention needed by these students”

“a brilliant place to learn safely about work, friendship and helping others”

‘ gives great value for money’