Want to cycle but lack the confidence? Whether your skills are a little rusty or you're new to travelling on two wheels, we're here to equip you with the know-how to navigate local streets, cycle paths, and campus roads with ease.
We offer courses exclusively for University staff and students, led by qualified instructors in environments appropriate to the level of the course. Bikes and helmets are provided if you need them.
Each course costs £6 for students. Places are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and participants must attend all course dates. To sign-up, please fill in the interest form. Please email sustainabletravel@contacts.bham.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Green Course: Learn to Ride and Basic Skills
Perfect for total beginners, this course will teach you how to balance on and pedal a bike in an off-road environment, along with essential bike handling skills.
Each course consists of three* two-hour sessions (5-7pm) and runs four times in 2026:
- May Green Course: Tuesday 26 May, Wednesday 27 May, Tuesday 2 June
- June Green Course: Tuesday 9 June, Tuesday 16 June, Tuesday 23 June (Students Only)
- July Green Course: Wednesday 8 July, Wednesday 15 July, Wednesday 22 July
- July/Aug Green Course: Wednesday 29 July, Wednesday 5 August, Wednesday 12 August
*Most people complete the course within the three sessions. Those who would benefit from additional support will be invited to a fourth session arranged closer to the time.
Blue Course: Basic Skills and Everyday Bike Skills
If you can already pedal and glide on a bike but want to build your confidence cycling on the roads, this course is ideal for you. You’ll learn bike handling skills and how to navigate simple road and junction layouts in both off-road environments and quieter roads on and off Edgbaston campus.
Each course consists of three two-hour sessions (5-7pm) and runs three times in 2026:
- May Course: Tuesday 5 May, Tuesday 12 May, Tuesday 19 May
- June Course: Wednesday 10 June, Wednesday 11 June, Wednesday 12 June
- Aug/Sept Course: Wednesday 26 August, Wednesday 2 September, Wednesday 9 September
Yellow Course: Everyday and Advanced Bike Skills
Ideal for those comfortable cycling on quieter roads but want to develop confidence riding in busier conditions, in these sessions you’ll learn how to navigate simple and more complex layouts and junctions on quieter and busier roads on and off Edgbaston campus.
Each course consists of three two-hour sessions (5-7pm) and runs once in 2026:
May Course: Wednesday 6 May, Wednesday 13 May, Wednesday 20 May
Bike Maintenance Class
For cyclists who want to learn essential skills to fix and maintain your bike, you’ll get to know the components and systems that make your bike work, learn how to change a tyre, mend a puncture, tune your brakes, and keep your bike running cleanly and smoothly.
Future dates TBC.