Bikeability

Cycle training has traditionally been delivered in schools via local authorities and this will continue with Bikeability. However, we are committed to delivering Bikeability through a variety of other channels such as through School Sports Partnerships and local independent training providers to ensure as many young people can access the training as possible.

Whether you allow young people to cycle to your school or not, provision of Bikeability cycle training provides them with essential skills and increasingly more parents and young people will want the opportunity to participate in the training. Whilst therefore it is not compulsory for your school to offer cycle training, doing so is providing young people with essential skills to ensure they are confident, safe cyclists.

"We feel that cycling should be a lifelong skill. It is something that should be taught at primary school so that every child leaving school has the skills and confidence to cycle on the roads."

Headteacher Alan Rees, Westbury Park Primary School in Bristol

Significant amounts of funding are being provided for cycle training and a majority of this will be provided to your local authority. Bikeability is currently rolling out across the country so check out the Bikeability Near You map to find out whether your local authority is delivering Bikeability yet. You may also find that there is a local independent training provider in your area that would be able to deliver Bikeability in your school.

"We want every child on a bike to be trained to have road sense to keep themselves safe. As a school, we are developing our travel plan and promoting cycling as a very good way of getting to school. We are certainly going to run the course again. The children love it.”

Headteacher Jeremy Doyle, Redhills Community Primary School in Exeter

School Sports Partnerships (SSPs)

Cycling England, the Department for Transport and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, in conjunction with the Youth Sport Trust, have also evaluated a pilot project in 2006/07 to deliver cycle training directly to schools through a number of SSPs and their Partnership Development Managers. The project is to be extended to more SSPs in 2007/08.

If you are a Partnership Development Manager and want to find out more then please contact the Youth Sport Trust on 01509 226600 or email cycling@youthsporttrust.org

The ultimate vision is that within five years no child should leave primary school in England without the opportunity to receive cycle training and SSPs will help to achieve this.

“Bikeability training has become one of our best received initiatives. Schools really buy into the idea of safer cycling, and Bikeability also helps them achieve their travel and sustainability plans. I can’t think of any other schemes which have been more popular – it’s fantastic.”

Lee Farrell, Partnership Development Manager, Spalding