The Department for Transport has earmarked ?10m worth of funding to a scheme, which will see over 200,000 kids trained to cycle safely.
The Bikeability scheme – the National Cycle Training Standard, was set up in 2007 with the aim of giving half a million children the chance to take part by 2012.
Bikeability allows children to learn essential road safety skills and gain greater awareness of the dangers on the road – giving parents the reassurance to allow them to undertake short journeys, especially cycling to school.
Transport Minister, Paul Clark said: “Having the skills to cycle to school and make other local journeys has never been more important, especially as it helps children and young people reach the 60 minutes of activity recommended by the Government’s ‘Change4Life’ campaign.”
41% of all trips in England are less than two miles, a distance which can be cycled in less than 15 minutes. This means that cycling could have a major role to play in promoting sustainable travel and improving health and fitness.
For more information, see www.bikeability.org.uk
