Skill Levels
Skill Levels
Understanding where your child is on the development pathway can be a challenge. Luckily, our instructors work with youth riders aged 6 – 18 every day!
To help you identify what program best fits your child’s needs, please review the Cycling BC HopOn Skill Levels Matrix.
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Skill Levels by Program Type:
HopOn In-school program participants often reach skill level 2-4 by the end of the program.
Participants who want to continue cycling and progressing their skills can join local community programs or a local club. Our after-school programs are designed for riders at skill levels 2-5, whereas youth clubs are typically for level 5 and beyond.
Participants in the In-school program who cannot ride a 2-wheel bicycle will mainly be supervised by their teacher, with help from the HopOn instructor. Once they are more comfortable riding on the bike, they will join their class for the remainder of the program.
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Foundational Skills
DOWNLOAD our skills matrix document and video playlist to support and celebrate your child’s development. The HopOn program teaches 10 basic and 3 intermediate riding skills following the NCCP Basic Cycling Skills coaching course. Our sessions are conducted within the safe confines of a traffic-free environment, utilizing school grounds, local parks, pump tracks, BMX, track cycling facilities, and local trails.
- Starting & Braking
- Straight-Line Riding
- Scanning & Signaling
- Low-Speed Turns
- Medium-Speed Turns
- Ready Position & Limbo
- Wheel Lifts
- Dismount & Remount
- Bumping & Buzzing
- Gearing & Cadence
- Climbing
- Descending
- Riding off a drop-off
HopOn instructors tailor the focus of each session to the age and ability level of their students.
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Long-Term Development and Physical Literacy
Under the Coaches Association of Canada and Sport for Life’s Long-Term Development model, Cycling BC’s HopOn program and skill development pathway help riders progress through the Active Start and FUNdamentals stage. This initial stage is facilitated by instructors via short 45-60 minutes sessions, up to a maximum of 6 weeks.
During ACTIVE START (3-6 yr), children learn to use a run-bike and pedal during a 1-day or 5-day camp.
- Kids on Wheels Run-Bike Programs
During the FUNdamental stage (6-12 yr), children learn and master basic skills during a 3-day or 6-week program.
Riders who enjoy their cycling may wish to progress to the club level and enrol in a 10-16 week program.
During the LEARN TO TRAIN stage (9-12 yr), youth learn intermediate skills, develop social skills, and build leg speed and flexibility.
During the TRAIN TO TRAIN stage (13-17 yr), youth master intermediate skills, develop aerobic capacity and foster lifelong friendships.
Learn more about Sport For Life’s LTD 3.0 or Cycling Canada’s LTD Documents, including sport-specific Mtn. Bike, Track / Velodrome, BMX, Para + How to Integrate.
