£18m fund for cycling training across UK

TRANSPORT SECRETARY Grant Shapps has today announced £18m for cycling training across the country as the Government encourages families to take more active travel as lockdown eases.

The funding, which is managed by The Bikeability Trust charity, will go toward delivering on-road cycle training as a modern day equivalent of the ‘Cycling Proficiency’ scheme for children, which many parents will have undertaken themselves during their school days.

For families looking to improve their confidence cycling together, local authorities will offer bespoke training sessions with an instructor, to help them feel confident in a range of scenarios.

The Government said today’s investment will help ensure children are road-ready on their bikes as schools and families prepare for the summer term.

Mr Shapps said: “Cycling is a fun and healthy way for pupils to get to school, and we want as many as possible to make it their choice of transport. With social distancing still a necessity, the more people who walk or cycle, the more we can ease pressure on public transport as people return to normal life.

“But we know not all children, or parents, feel bike-confident. Today’s funding will kick-start our plans to provide Bikeability training to all children by 2025, giving the next generation of cyclists a life-skill and the confidence they need to choose a more active way to travel.”

Since its launch in 2006, more than 3.5m children have taken part in Bikeability training, learning basic cycle handling skills, assessing risks and how to ride safely and confidently on the road.

Emily Cherry, Executive Director, Bikeability Trust said: “This record investment will allow us to reach more children and, importantly, their families too.”