BOOST TO CITY COUNCIL BIKE TRAINING
FUNDING
More youngsters will learn how to cycle safely
in the coming year thanks to a boost in funding for Peterborough
City Council's Bikeability training programme.
The city council's Travelchoice team will
receive £25,000 in government funding to run the scheme in 2011/12
- an increase from just over £19,000 in 2010/11. This school year,
xxxx youngsters aged ten or over from schools across the city will
have completed level 2 on-road training thanks to the funding.
Bikeability is a cycling proficiency course
which teaches children to cycle safely and confidently in modern
traffic conditions. Children will receive a certificate and badge
at the end of each level to show they have the skills and knowledge
to cycle safely on the roads.
Bikeability was introduced in schools across
Peterborough in September 2010. Previously, cycle training was
delivered in schools by trained volunteers through the Safer
Cycling scheme. Bikeability has been rolled out to those schools
that do not have volunteers and is carried out as a joint venture
between Travelchoice and Peterborough Youth Sports Partnership,
using nationally accredited paid cycle trainers. The Safer Cycling
scheme still runs in those schools that were previously using
it.
Councillor Samantha Dalton, the city council's
cabinet member for environment capital, said: "Learning to cycle
safely will hopefully encourage more youngsters and their families
to get on their bikes and explore the city. Cycling is not only a
great way of keeping fit and healthy but it also builds on our
growing reputation as the home of environment capital."
Nicola Winstone, the city council's travel
plan officer for schools, said: "Cyclists need to have the
confidence and knowledge to stay safe on the roads. Bikeability
teaches children important bike skills and road safety awareness
that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We are really
pleased to have received the extra funding for next year because it
will allow us to give more children Bikeability training, helping
them stay safe on the roads."