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Cycle Training in Schools (Bikeability)
Published on 11 May 2020

United Kingdom
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Bikeability is much more than a cycling training programme. It delivers
wide-ranging and long-lasting benefits to young people, families and
communities. Bikeability supports the culture, ethos and environment
of health at school whilst also giving pupils practical skills and an
understanding how to cycle on today’s roads safely. Bikeability gives
everyone the skills and confidence for all kinds of cycling.
Bikeability courses are available throughout the year in most local
authorities in England. Children and adults can be trained individually
or in groups, through school, clubs or private tuition.
wide-ranging and long-lasting benefits to young people, families and
communities. Bikeability supports the culture, ethos and environment
of health at school whilst also giving pupils practical skills and an
understanding how to cycle on today’s roads safely. Bikeability gives
everyone the skills and confidence for all kinds of cycling.
Bikeability courses are available throughout the year in most local
authorities in England. Children and adults can be trained individually
or in groups, through school, clubs or private tuition.
Expert opinion
Providing training to children in cycling is an excellent approach for setting life-long cycling habits. The involvement of families and the broader community can also help to increase cycling by convincing parents of cycling safety and helping to change broader societal attitudes. This approach, used throughout the UK, is a very strong example of such schemes, able to achieve its results by support from central government. The schemes can be replicated at smaller scale throughout Europe.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Bikeability is administered by the Bikeability Trust; a charitable
organisation aiming to advance the cycling education of the public. The majority of funding is provided by the government via a grant programme which is administered by the Bikeability Trust to local authorities across England.
organisation aiming to advance the cycling education of the public. The majority of funding is provided by the government via a grant programme which is administered by the Bikeability Trust to local authorities across England.
Evidence of success
Over 3 million children have completed Bikeability cycle training. The government has pledged £13 million for the scheme to continue aiming to promote more active travel. Independent research in 2016 on the Impact of offering cycle training upon cycling behaviour confirmed that “Bikeability helps children cycle more safely, more often.” The increase in frequency of cycling journeys on the school run will reduce idling outside schools which will improve air quality where children congregate.
Potential for learning or transfer
As this scheme has now been roll out to all regions of the UK it has
proven that transferability is relatively easy as long as you have support from government and cycling organisations and the correct trainers in place to help deliver the programme of activity.
proven that transferability is relatively easy as long as you have support from government and cycling organisations and the correct trainers in place to help deliver the programme of activity.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Coventry City Council

United Kingdom
West Midlands
Contact
Project Support officer