A Hatfield school was the location for the national extension of the Government’s ‘Bikeability’ cycling scheme recently. Designed to help children learn real-world cycling skills, local MP Grant Shapps, who as Secretary of State for Transport is in charge of the cycling programme, said that he was “extending the scheme with £13million more funding to ensure more kids learn important life cycling skills through to 2021”
In Hertfordshire alone over 6,000 Bikeability courses have been delivered. With 3,000 children having achieved their level 2 certificate through hands-on experience of safely cycling in local streets. A number which will only increase with future funding secured.
Speaking at St. Philip Howard Catholic Primary School in Hatfield, Mr Shapps promised to create 400,000 extra training places for schoolchildren across England on the cycling proficiency programme.
Presenting Bikeability certificates at the event, Grant said “It’s fantastic to see our Bikeability programme get so many children enthusiastic about cycling.
“Cycling provides exercise, produces zero emissions and gets people out and about in nature. It’s exactly the type of lifestyle the Bikeability scheme trains young people to embrace at an early age. I’m thrilled that we will offer an extra 400,000 children the chance to join”.
The scheme gives schoolchildren real-world experience cycling off road, on streets and on roads. Giving the next generation the skills and confidence to choose this healthy and environmentally friendly means of transport.
Paul Robison, chief executive officer at the Bikeability Trust believes that “high-quality cycle training enables confident and enjoyable cycling, raises awareness of skilful cycling among all road users, and contributes to better transport, health and wellbeing”.
So far, over 3million school children have taken part in the scheme since it was created in 2007, with the extra places set to bring that to 3.5million.
