Link: Latest Update and Actions Required

For Bikeability Training Providers

Thank you for your patience as we continue to develop and roll out the Link system. We are listening to your feedback and whilst the system still has some minor issues, we are pleased with the progress made so far.

We have recently recruited a specialist agency to support the ongoing development of Link and we are working hard to resolve any outstanding technical issues. We are continually improving Link for everyone and some of our plans are in this email.

Our team are always on hand to support with any queries, concerns or feedback. Please email contactus@bikeability.org.uk and a member of the relevant team will get back to you.

Update to All Documents Required

Please take the time to review and update your documents. All training providers, including LAs and SGOs, must have a full set of Bikeability specific policies and associated documents uploaded to Link at all times.

We have uploaded Training Provider Policy Requirements, which details the changes you must make by 30 July 2021, unless notified otherwise. Once you have made the changes, please upload your new set of policies and documents with a new reference.

You may adapt an existing policy to include all our requirements and ensure they are Bikeability specific. We have also created model policies for your reference, which can be found under Registration and Renewal on the Professionals website. You are not required to use these templates, but we hope you find them helpful.

There are some exceptions for training providers with up to 2 instructors. If this relates to you, or you need any further support, please contact us by emailing contactus@bikeability.org.uk.

Instructors and Insurance

Please check that all of your instructors, including yourself if applicable, are associated with your training provider profile on Link and in registered status. Unregistered instructors are not permitted to deliver Bikeability cycle training.

As you will be aware, all training providers (excluding local authorities) must hold Employers' Liability Insurance. In addition to this, training providers must hold Public Liability Insurance or be able to evidence that all instructors hold valid Self-Employed insurance at all times. Please ensure that the insurance expiry date on Link reflects this.

Changes to Your Renewal

Currently, our auto-emails are not functioning correctly and our Link development team are working hard to resolve this problem. As a result, you will not receive any reminder emails for your renewal until this issue is resolved. Please ensure you check your renewal deadline on your account and submit your renewal.

Any training providers who miss their renewal deadline will be automatically deregistered and will be unable to deliver any Bikeability training until they are re-registered. 

In the coming months, we will be reviewing our training provider renewals process. This will include a streamlined process, a review of the documentation required and the need to report further on complaints and incidents. This will support our increased transparency of reporting to the Department of Transport, as part of our commitment to the Gear Change strategy.

In the meantime, if you are due for renewal but do not have a grant recipient, please contact us by emailing contactus@bikeability.org.uk. We will then set you up with a "dummy" grant recipient account so you can submit your renewal. We will be improving this functionality over the next year.

Award Materials Available From New Shop

We are pleased to announce that our new online shop is now live and fully restocked. The shop is accessible via your Link login and stocks complete award material packs, certificates and badges.

The Shop accepts both credit cards and BACS payments, and your order will be shipped within 3 working days of receipt of payment. The Trust is not in a position to offer a credit facility via purchasing invoices and goods can only ship once payment is cleared.

If you have any questions regarding the shop or an order you have placed, please contact the team directly by emailing orders@bikeabilitytrust.org.

Rider Characteristics Mandatory from 1 July

To ensure everyone has the confidence to cycle and enjoy this skill for life, it is vital that we collect certain anonymised data on recipients of Bikeability cycle training. From the 1 July, it will be compulsory for grant recipients to report on ethnicity, gender, SEND and access to Pupil Premium.

In order to ensure this information is correctly inputted, the gender and ethnicity columns must equal the number of participants in order to submit your claim. If this information is not gathered and submitted, grant recipients will be unable to claim DfT funding.

If you and your instructors are involved in the process of data collection, please ensure you have the correct processes and procedures in place to ensure this is GDPR compliant. All rider characteristics added to the Link Database are fully anonymised and therefore GDPR compliant. You can read more in our updated Privacy Policy. Our Privacy Policy has been fully reviewed with the Department for Transport, and these new conditions are part of the terms and conditions for grant funding. 

The only exception to recording these characteristics is when delivering Adult or Family cycle training. In these circumstances, individuals may reserve the right to refuse to answer questions on gender or ethnicity, as these cannot be anonymised. If an individual refuses to categorise themselves, you may select "prefer not to say" when reporting on this training.

By gathering this data, we can improve how we demonstrate the reach and value of Bikeability cycle training to the Department of Transport which is vital for the future of the industry. As demonstrated by the bids received for the Innovation Fund SEND pilot, up to date and accurate data is vital to ensure that Bikeability is truly for all.

Why have I received this email?

You have received this communication as your email address is listed as a primary or secondary email address for a training provider account on Link. If you received this communication in error, please update your Link account or contact contactus@bikeability.org.uk