The firm says that Cycle to Work schemes account for half a million of new bikes on the road, making it vital that these new or returning cyclists are safe riders.

IAM Drive & Survive cycling manager Duncan Pickering said: 'A quarter of company car trips are for less than two miles, just a 15-minute ride for cyclists. With fuel prices so high and companies seeking to reduce carbon emissions, cycling keeps costs down and staff fit. Healthier staff are more alert, have greater concentration and are more productive.

'Corporate pedal power makes sense and for a relatively small investment in training the returns are huge.'

The IAM cycle training has three levels:

• CycleCheck gives inexperienced cyclists the chance to practice control, braking, changing gear and signalling, in a safe off-road environment.

• CycleRide gives cyclists the confidence they need to ride safely and legally in traffic by focusing on positioning, negotiating traffic and awareness of other road users.

• CycleRide+ prepares cyclists for more challenging situations such as turning right on multi-lane roads, negotiating roundabouts, traffic lights and filters.

Each course meets the National Standards for Cycle Training and is delivered by accredited trainers.

The courses are held at the workplace so that local cycling conditions are taken into account and each course takes approximately two to three hours.