This year marks 20 years of Bikeability cycle training in Devon, and it’s a double celebration as Devon County Council has been awarded just over £1.3 million from Active Travel England to continue delivering the training over the next three years.
This latest funding will support cycle training for around 9,000 children a year during that time.
The announcement coincides with Child Safety Week, the Child Accident Prevention Trust’s annual community education campaign, which is running this week (1 to 7 June), and ahead of World Environment Day this Friday (5 June) and Bike Week (8 to 14 June) next week.
Devon County Council delivered its first Bikeability training sessions in 2006/2007. Since then, more than 129,000 children have taken part in the scheme.
Bikeability cycle training provides schoolchildren with lifelong road safety skills, as well as providing them with the confidence and understanding of cycling on today’s roads and also improving their health and wellbeing.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said:
“It’s a great achievement that Bikeability has been delivered in Devon for 20 years now, and the ongoing level of funding from Active Travel England reflects the quality of the training provided in the county by qualified, expert instructors. It means that thousands of schoolchildren in Devon can take part in this excellent scheme.
“Cycling is a great skill to learn at an early age and the value of Bikeability extends beyond learning the practical skills of cycling safely. It also helps to reduce carbon emissions to help tackle climate change and promotes a healthier, active lifestyle.”
Among the first schools to have taken part in Bikeability in 2006 were Alphington Primary, Clyst St Mary Primary, Countess Wear Primary and St Peter’s Church of England Aided School. They are all still signed up to the scheme today.
Jo Daniel, Deputy Head at Alphington Primary School, said: “Bikeability gives our children here at Alphington Primary School the skills, confidence, and awareness needed to ride their bikes safely on the roads. It’s a fantastic opportunity for pupils to develop independence and lifelong road safety skills. It encourages children to make choices that are good for their health while also helping to care for the environment.”
For more information on cycle training for children and adults please visit our Travel Devon webpages.
Schools can also make use of the Child Accident Prevention Trust’s road safety education resources at https://capt.org.uk/backseat-boss/