Our story
Learning to ride a bike is more than just balance and pedals — it’s freedom, confidence, and independence. But for many children, that opportunity never comes. Barriers like cost, lack of support, special educational needs, nervousness or fear from past failures can leave them behind.
As a Cycle Coordinator, I saw this gap firsthand. Traditional training like Bikeability only served those who could already ride, had a bike, and parental support. Too many children were excluded.
In 2010, I launched the first No Falls Learn to Ride program — designed especially for nervous riders and those with additional needs. The pilot at Rokeby Secondary School was life-changing: every single student not only learned to ride but gained the confidence to cycle on local roads. Teachers and parents reported incredible transformations — higher self-esteem, better focus in class, and new-found independence.
The results spoke for themselves. No Falls was soon endorsed by Transport for London and recognised as national good practice for cycling instructors.
Now, 15 years on, I’ve worked across many special schools, helping countless children & adults achieve what once seemed impossible — riding a two-wheeled bike. Parents, teachers, and even the students themselves often thought it was way out of reach, only to be proven wrong, with many moments ending in tears of joy. Along the way, I’ve also trained instructors and parents in the No Falls method — ensuring even the most nervous riders, young or old, can discover the joy and freedom of cycling.
Why choose us?
Whirling Wheels Cycle Training is the best choice for nervous learners because we make learning fun & laughter filled, we provide phyical support and we have the training content broken down into very simple steps.
Our 'No Falls' method helps people overcome their fears by providing a safe, supportive, and enjoyable learning process & environment.
Real success
“Where to start…. I would highly recommend Ola to any parent where they are struggling to get their child to ride a bike or just for lessons in cycling skills. He is absolutely amazing. It was evident from the first second with him that he is incredibly skilled in his work.
The background to why we ended up with Ola. My oldest daughter (just gone 7years) is an incredibly anxious child, we have always struggled, nursery drop off, school drop offs, tears and clinging on for dear life. Anxious to participate in activities always wanting someone to go with her at parties, to play with her friends. She is not one to initiate anything new. She is frightened of most things, heights, spiders, anything new etc etc. I’m sure you can imagine. We bought her a bike many years ago, she did not want to go on it, even with stabilisers. Eventually it was too small and we said if she would learn to ride we would get her a big girl bike. So we did. But it too remained in the shed. She was ok after a time but only with stabilisers. We attempted for 12 long months to try without the stabilisers, but she was terrified, sessions ended with lots of tears and worsening anxiety. She just wasn’t confident enough to try. I never thought she would be able to do it.
I discovered Ola and got in touch. We booked his 4 sessions learn to ride course. This is usually over 2 days but due to my daughter’s anxiety we agreed to do this over 4 days. I really wasn’t sure she would be able to ride a bike after just 4 short hours after years of us trying. Well, I was so wrong. Ola is an expert, he put her at ease within milli seconds of meeting her, used distraction and focused activities to get her on the bike and moving. Explaining where she was going wrong and how easily, she could fix it. It was amazing to watch and by the end of the first hour he was able to let go and my anxious “terrified” ( her words) daughter was independently riding her bike for the first time . We couldn’t believe it , it was fantastic!! We attempted to practice after the 2nd session ourselves but quickly realised that our daughter needed very a specific quiet open environment to be able to feel safe, and able to ride and the less busy park was just not it. We continued to practice Ola’s simple techniques. She could ride on her own after 2 hours of lessons but still needed help with getting going, by session 3 she was almost fully independent. By session 4 she was able to push off herself. It was so fantastic to see, and hear her shouting “ I can do it I can do it” was one of the proudest moments of my life.
She was in her own words “terrified” but Ola really helped her understand and gain the ability and confidence to learn this essential skill. He is absolutely amazing. I would recommend him to everyone, worth every penny. I now need to get a bike so I can keep up with her.
Kind Regards Catherine
Our promise
At Whirling Wheels Cycle Training, we're dedicated to helping everyone, from young children to adults over 70, experience the joy and freedom of cycling. Our 'No Falls' training methods are endrosed by TFL (Transport For London) designed for the very nervous, and we specialise in working with those with or without cognitive / sensory special needs. We operate in Hampstead, London & West Midlands, United Kingdom & most places in between:
