Adult bike courses

Bike courses

Bronze bike skills - beginners

In an open court space

Hours: 2

Cost: free

Age: 14+

If you’re new to riding or haven't been on a bike for a while, this relaxed, practical session is a great confidence booster. Bring your own bike or borrow one of ours. 

Includes:

• a basic bike introduction and safety check
• checking and fitting a helmet
• balancing and pedalling independently
• starting without help, braking, gears
• bike handling skills, look backs and signalling.

Silver bike skills - intermediate

Shared paths and quiet roads

Hours: 3

Cost: free

Age: 14+

Take your riding to the next level by exploring shared paths and safe, on-road routes. Bring your own bike or borrow one of ours.

Includes:

• understanding road signs and rules
• positioning on shared paths and quiet roads
• passing side roads and parked cars
• what to do at intersections
• route planning.

Gold bike skills - advanced

Busy roads and intersections

Hours: 3

Cost: free

Age: 14+

Learn to ride more confidently in traffic and through complex intersections. Start on quiet streets then move to busier multi-lane roads. Bring your own bike or borrow one of ours. 

Includes:

• a summary of bronze and silver bike skills
• basic road position
• what to do at traffic lights, roundabouts and complex intersections
• turning right in heavy traffic
• riding in on-road cycle lanes.

Electric bike courses

E-bike experience - beginner

Intro and guided ride

Hours: 3

Cost: free

Age: 14+

For those who are comfortable on a regular bike but curious about going electric. This session introduces you to e-bikes and takes you on a guided ride on shared paths. Bring your own bike or borrow one of ours. 

Includes:

• helmet fitting
• checking your confidence on a regular bike
• e-bike introduction:
• understanding the controls, motor and battery
• assist levels and gears
• different e-bike styles
• storage and security.
• e-bike handling skills:
• starting and stopping, including getting on and off
• manoeuvring
• using gears and different levels of assist
• emergency braking
• a guided ride on local cycle paths.

E-bike silver skills - advanced

Shared paths and quiet roads

Hours: 3

Cost: free

Age: 14+

Already own an e-bike but want to boost your skills? This course follows the same format as our regular silver bike skills course, with e-bike specific add-ons. Bring your own bike or borrow one of ours. 

Includes:

• etiquette on shared paths
• understanding road signs and rules
• positioning on shared paths and roads
• passing side roads and parked cars
• what to do at intersections
• route planning
• choosing assist levels and gears 
• using speed and power on the road.

Maintenance courses

Bike maintenance skills 

Hours: 2

Cost: free

Age: 14+

This fun, hands-on workshop takes the mystery out of caring for your bike – from naming basic parts to fixing a flat tyre. It’s best to bring your own bike if you can.

You’ll learn:

• to do a maintenance check
• the parts of your bike
• removing and fitting a wheel
• how to fix a puncture
• cleaning and lubricating your bike.

E-bike maintenance skills 

Hours: 2

Cost: free

Age: 14+

This fun, interactive workshop takes the mystery out of your e-bike –- from naming basic parts to fixing a flat tyre. Bring your own e-bike if you can.

You’ll learn:

• to do a maintenance check
• the parts of your bike
• removing and fitting a wheel
• how to fix a puncture, including using a tyre plug
• cleaning and lubricating your bike
• storing your bike and locking it securely.

Need to know

• Registration is required for all courses as space is limited.
• Registrations close at least 48 hours before each session.
• The venue address and further details will be supplied once you have registered.
• Bring your own bike and helmet if you can, so they can be safety checked and you can get familiar with your own gear. Bikes and helmets are available if you request one in advance.

Group bookings

If a group is interested in gaining bike skills, we can schedule an additional course at a time and date to suit you, for free. We can also tailor the course material to match the skill level of the group’s participants.

Requirements

• We require at least 3 weeks' notice to confirm contractor availability.
• For Bronze and bike maintenance courses, a minimum of 10 participants and a maximum of 30.
• For Silver courses, a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 24.
• For Gold courses, a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 12.

If your group course is not fully booked, then it may be offered to the public. Bookings are subject to contractor availability.

For more information, email cyclingevents@at.govt.nz