Every child in England to be offered cycle training

The Department for Transport has announced that all children in England will be taught the skills for a lifetime of cycling, as its Bikeability training programme is significantly expanded.

Cycling Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said that the commitment will see an additional 400,000 training places offered on the scheme each year, providing children with the core skills to cycle safely and confidently on the road. More than 80 per cent of children aged between eight and 10 years old own a bike and since its launch in 2006, more than three million children have taken part in the Bikeability scheme.

Harris said: “Cycling is a fun and enjoyable way for children to get to school, the shops or see their friends. It is also environmentally friendly and has a positive impact on their mental and physical health. Extending Bikeability training will inspire the next generation to take to the roads as confident and proficient cyclists and will play an important role in helping us meet our net-zero emission targets.”

The announcement comes as the government has revealed that expected spend between 2016 and 2021 on active travel has doubled to £2.4 billion. It will invest £22 million in a range of national schemes over the next year, including: £20 million will go to extend the Access Fund which helps local authorities support more people to cycle and walk; £1 million will go towards the Big Bike Revival – a grass roots project encouraging more than 40,000 people to take up cycling who wouldn’t normally consider it; and £1 million will be invested in the Walk to School outreach programmes offered by the government’s partners Cycling UK and Living Streets.