Online courses to get you back in the saddle

The online and video-based project, which has been funded by Paths for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme and Scottish Borders Council, pulls together advice needed to ride a bike with confidence, with emphasis on cycling in a rural environment.

The course, made up of over 20 short videos, is available to everyone free of charge.

The scheme has been put together as part of Easyriders – the successful Borders campaign originally set up to encourage more women to ride their bikes.

With large numbers of new cyclists this year, and Covid-related limitations for classes and courses, the new version of the sceme is now aimed at everyone – men, women and young people, and freely accessible on any online screen device.

The videos, all around one-minute long, have been produced by Peebles-based bike events company Hillside Outside, who are also responsible for TweedLove Bike Festival and Tour O The Borders.

The tuition expertise is provided by Tweed valley coach and guiding experts Ridelines.

The easy-to-follow and user-friendly format also gives quick reminders, accessed on smart phones.

On the Easyriders website, there’s also advice about getting hold of a bike, cycling etiquette and suggested routes to try.

Project director Neil Dalgleish said: “When lockdown forced us to shelve plans for the next round of Easyriders sessions, we immediately thought of moving it online.

“So many people have realised the advantages of getting around by bike – not only for the sake of their health and the planet, but to avoid shared transport.

“We knew it would be helpful to provide free tuition from experts, and we’ve really tried to make it easy to understand how to ride safely and with confidence.

“We’re really pleased with how the website and videos have turned out.”

Andy Weir, director of Ridelines, added: “There’s a lot of people who haven’t cycled for years who are digging bikes out of the shed, and we hope that watching these wee films will give people a shot of confidence.

“You don’t really forget, but sometimes you just need a bit of a reminder.

“Cycling’s for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level, and we’re pleased to share our expertise and help more folk to get out on their bikes.”

Councillor Gordon Edgar, Scottish Borders Council’s portfolio holder for travel, infrastructure and transport, added: “We’re delighted to be partnered with local cycling companies again to encourage more cycling.

“The online course is really helpful for novice or born-again cyclists to help build confidence on their bikes.”

The video and website content is free to access from the project website at www.easyriders.cc