Free training will help Stoke-on-Trent children to ‘bike right’

Hundreds of children in Stoke-on-Trent are being offered free cycling lessons to learn how to ride safely in the city.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has commissioned BikeRight to deliver the sessions at primary schools across the city over the next three years.

The city council was awarded an additional £21,500 in grant funding from The Bikeability Trust, which runs the Bikeability programme on behalf of the Department for Transport, to scale up the delivery of the scheme in Stoke-on-Trent.

The authority used the cash to buy new bicycles to enable children who don’t currently own a bike to be able to take part in the active travel scheme.

Last week, Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker and Lord Mayor Councillor Lyn Sharpe took the opportunity to see the Bikeability scheme in action on a visit to Heron Cross Primary School during Cycle to School Week.

Cllr Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “It’s really important that we give our children the skills they need to be able to ride a bike independently and safely to support their physical and mental health.

“The council is putting plans and investment in place to improve the cycling infrastructure in the city to enable people of all ages to get around, and Bikeability scheme plays a key part in helping to pave the way for a new generation of very safe cyclists on our roads.

“I would encourage as many students as possible to access this training.”

Bikeability is the government’s national cycle training programme, helping people to learn practical skills and understand how to cycle on today’s roads.

Last year (2023) 1,609 pupils in Stoke-on-Trent took part in Bikeability’s Level 2 training which equips children with the skills and knowledge they need to safely cycle on the road.

Joanne Metcalfe, grants officer at Bikeability, said: “Stoke-on-Trent City Council has really embraced the offer of funding from the Department of Transport, to help scale up their ability to deliver to more children.

“Purchasing fleet bicycles with the funding has enabled children who do not have access to bicycles to learn how to ride safely. It was lovely to see this in action and to meet some of the team who are passionate about their area and see how cycling contributes towards a positive future.”

Naomi Cunningham, operations manager at BikeRight, said: “We are delighted to be delivering Bikeability in Stoke-on-Trent and to be a part of this year’s Cycle to School Week. If your school hasn’t booked in for training this year, or if you are a school who would like more information, please email midlands@bikeright.co.uk.”