From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, January 03, 2008

NEW cycle training courses on Saturdays and during school holidays are being offered by Devon County Council's Cycle Exeter team to children who live or study in Exeter, starting later this month.

Bikeability is the new cycling training scheme which aims to get more people cycling, more safely, more often and is designed to help children gain the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on today's roads. These free courses at St Nicholas Primary School in Ringswell Avenue, Exeter, are currently subsidised entirely by Cycle Exeter, which is funded by Cycling England following a joint submission by Devon County Council and Exeter City Council.

The training is divided into different levels; Level One for children aged from seven to nine years old to help them develop their basic bicycle handling skills with exercises and fun games in a traffic free environment, and Level Two for children aged ten or over which develops cycling skills in a traffic free environment before progressing on quiet local roads with real traffic conditions.

The first Level One Saturday courses, which are single sessions, will start on Saturday 19 January from 1pm to 3pm. The course will also be held at the same time on Saturday 23 February, Saturday 29 March, Saturday 3 May and Saturday 7 June.

Level Two courses will be held over five consecutive Saturdays, starting on Saturday 19 January from 1pm to 3pm and finishing on Saturday 16 February. Further five-week courses will be held at the same time starting on Saturday 23 February, Saturday 29 March, Saturday 3 May (when there will also be additional session from 10am to 12noon), and Saturday 7 June (which again includes additional sessions from 10am to 12noon).

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "Bikeability cycle training provides an important life skill which can help pupils develop essential road safety awareness. The courses can encourage the next generation to take up cycling not only for their enjoyment but also to benefit their health and the environment. They aim to give youngsters the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on today's roads, and it's reassuring for parents to know that their children have the best possible training available to them. All Exeter schools are offered free training so it's worth making the most of the Bikeability courses."

Level One courses during school holidays will be held from 10am to 12noon on Monday 18 February, Monday 7 April, Monday 14 April and Monday 26 May.

Level Two Courses during school holidays will be held from 10am to 12noon from Monday 18 February - Friday 22 February, from 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm from Monday 7 April - Friday 11 April, 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm from Monday 14 April - Friday 18 April, and 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm from Monday 26 May - Friday 30 May.

Councillor Olwen Foggin, Devon County Councillor for Heavitree and Whipton Barton, said: "Hopefully, Bikeability can help our schoolchildren learn valuable skills that could benefit them now and in future. If they start young they will be more likely to cycle for the rest of their lives. It's important that young people discover the enjoyment of cycling and that it is made safe. It's a sustainable form of transport and if this scheme encourages more pupils to cycle to school they will get regular exercise as well as helping to reduce congestion and pollution."

One of the main aims of the project is to encourage children aged ten or over to cycle to school by completing Bikeability Level Two to demonstrate the skills and understanding to ride on the road. Another target of the scheme is to get 20 per cent of children cycling to the new schools in the city by 2009. Successful trainees will receive a Bikeability badge and certificate, but no-one leaves empty handed.

Places on the course must be booked in advance. For a booking form or more information go to www.devon.gov.uk/cycleexeter call 0845 1551004 or email cycleexeter@devon.gov.uk

For more information on Bikeability visit www.bikeability.org.uk

Notes for Editors:

For more information contact Colin Savage on 01392 383490 or email colin.savage@devon.gov.uk

Councillor Margaret Rogers 01297 680384.