Ready To Go?

Welcome to our course of short, easy-to-follow video lessons covering the basics of cycling in a rural environment.
Fully qualified instructors explain the essentials in fun, bite-size video clips to get you on the road as a confident and safe cyclist. It’s best to watch the videos and do some practice as you go through the course, but you can dip into the episodes whenever you want. We recommend you complete the whole course. It’s all 100% free with no catches. The project is funded by Paths For All and Transport Scotland’s ‘Smarter Choices, Smarter Places’ initiative, through the direction of Scottish Borders Council.

Section 1

Before You Ride

Episode 1

Bike Safety Check

Learn how to do an ‘M check’ on your bike – a simple safety check so you can be confident your bike is safe before heading out.

Episode 2

Helmet Safety

Wearing a helmet’s a no-brainer! This video shows simple but important steps to make sure your helmet is safe to wear and correctly fitted. It can help you look good too! Helmets reduce the risk of serious head injury by 60% – but only when they fit properly.

Episode 3

What to wear

You don’t need to have all the specialist gear. Here are some basic ‘dos and don’ts’ to make sure you’re safe, comfortable and visible. It’s mostly common sense of course, and above all in Scotland, dress for the weather!

Episode 4

Route planning and apps

Plan your route and let someone know where you are going. Using up-to-date technology can be very simple to use, but however you do it, remember to keep yourself safe in case things don’t go to plan.

Episode 1
Bike Safety Check
Episode 2
Helmet Safety
Episode 3
What to wear
Episode 4
Route planning and apps

Section 2

On Your Bike! The Basics Of Bike Handling

Episode 5

Getting on your bike and seat height

Simple ways to get on your bike while retaining balance and remaining stable. Set your saddle to the right height for you and learn ways to progress as your confidence grows.

Episode 6

Setting off in control

Setting off can be a wobble experience for some. Learn and practice simple techniques for a smooth and stable set off.

Episode 7

Braking and stopping with confidence

Once you get going it’s important to control speed and bring the bike to a controlled stop with confidence. Learn some simple techniques and games to play to build your confidence and improve your braking control.

Episode 8

Changes in direction

You rarely ride in a perfectly straight line and changing direction is a must. Here are some easy ways to get a feel for steering the bike and practice changing direction in a safe area.

Episode 5
Getting on your bike and seat height
Episode 6
Setting off in control
Episode 7
Braking and stopping with confidence
Episode 8
Changes in direction

Section 3

You’re The Boss

Episode 9

Explaining cadence

Should I pedal fast or slow? Learn about high cadence and low cadence, what these mean, and how using a suitable cadence makes for a more comfortable and sustainable ride.

Episode 10

Use your gears!

Gear selection made easy. Using your gears effectively can make your bike rides so much more pleasant. There’s no black arts involved and absolutely nothing to be scared of. Learn when and why you need to change gears and how this relates to your pedalling and cadence.

Episode 11

Controlling speed and combining skills

You’ve learned a lot of individual skills now so it’s time to find a safe and traffic-free place to ride to practice. ‘Multi-tasking’ on a bike will soon be second nature – the result is smooth and controlled riding.

Episode 9
Explaining cadence
Episode 10
Use your gears!
Episode 11
Controlling speed and combining skills

Section 4

On The Road With Confidence

Episode 12

One handed practice

Taking one hand off the handle bar is crucial for signalling when you’re on the road. Fortunately it’s pretty easy! There are simple ways to practice this safely to gain confidence for when you need to signal.

Episode 13

Looking around

Along with signalling, you need to be able to look around you to be aware of traffic and make safe and confident decisions on the road. These little tips will give you the confidence of riding one handed while, being aware of what’s going on around you.

Episode 14

Combining techniques and signalling

Now it’s time to practice some real-world cycling skills together. Learn how to deal with basic and road junctions and why combining these skills is essential for road safety.

Episode 12
One handed practice
Episode 13
Looking around
Episode 14
Combining techniques and signalling

Section 5

Stay Safe On The Road

Episode 15

Road signs and markings

Get to know the rules. Learn about road signs and road markings, what they mean and how they relate to you as a cyclist.

Episode 16

Road positioning

The gutter is where the rain drains away, not where cyclists are supposed to be! Good road positioning will mean a safer ride for you while encouraging good behaviour from other road users. Learn safe and respectful road positioning for a variety of situations while riding alone and with others.

Episode 17

Traffic awareness and being predictable

Other road users will give you more space if you are bold with your defensive positioning and ride in a predictable way. Staying smooth and consistent will give others confidence in you and will not make irrational decisions while trying to get past.

Episode 15
Road signs and markings
Episode 16
Road positioning
Episode 17
Traffic awareness and being predictable

Section 6

Happy Cycling!

Episode 18

Maintaining your bike before putting it away

Storing a bike dirty will only lead to problems on your next ride so some basic maintenance before storage is quick and easy to do.

Episode 19

Other road users and etiquette

What should you do when you encounter other road users on quiet rural roads, like horses and runners? Simple etiquette can result in a more pleasurable experience for everyone.

Episode 20

Let’s ride. Where shall we go?

Suggestions to resources where you can discover new places to ride that are traffic free or on quiet rural roads plus a general summary of all the Easyriders videos.

Episode 18
Maintaining your bike before putting it away
Episode 19
Other road users and etiquette
Episode 20
Let’s ride. Where shall we go?

We hoped you’ve enjoyed the Easyriders safe cycling online video course.

Share your cycling life on the Easyriders Facebook page here, and tag us with #easyriders

Hope you can join us for Easy Does It – a fun cycling event for everyone, starting in Peebles, Spring 2021.

Find Out More