Minister Cycle Training

Had a good cycle training session with Paul Clark and a couple of members from his team.

Paul is the MP for Gillingham as well as the Minister for Sustainable Transport and a very nice chap. 

Spencer (www.cyclecircle.co.uk) and I started the training at The Strand in Gillingham. The weather was a bit windy but bright and sunny. The venue was ideal, on National Cycle Route 1, with loos, a cafe and tennis courts we could hire and use for the Level 1 activities. After some initial nerves everyone progressed well. After a tea break we went out onto the quieter roads in the area to practice the Level 2 disciplines. Again the location was ideal with different sites available to practice the different drills and so many drivers demonstrating their poor road skills. All the trainees including Paul demonstrated the necessary outcomes to reach Level 2. We finished with a press photocall. 

As ever the Level 2 Route included examples of cycle facilities. We enjoyed showing Paul the 15 foot long cycle lane and the sign post containing the signs for National Cycle Route 1 and the instruction "Cyclists Dismount"!

Photos from the session are on Flickr