Bikeability Launched To Create A New Generation Of Cyclists

21st Century cycling proficiency test to encourage children back on their bikes.

The biggest change in cycling training for decades has been announced. The Bikeability scheme will be rolled out nationally to help get the nation’s children back on their bikes. The new training standard is designed to provide children with the on-road skills they need to handle modern traffic conditions.

The launch comes as new research from Cycling England shows:

• a 50% decline in cycling in the space of just one generation
• that over half (51%) of mums questioned say they did their Cycling Proficiency or cycled regularly to school as a child. Now, only a quarter (25%) of today’s children have received formal cycle training, and 91% never cycle to school
• that parents’ fears around safety are behind the declining numbers of children being trained.

At the scheme's launch Transport Minister Tom Harris said: “Bikeability is a great way to get our children cycling safely from an early age. We want our children to be safer, more confident cyclists and to encourage healthier, greener transport options. The pilots for Bikeability have been a runaway success and I am confident that the national roll out will see big increases in the number of people rediscovering the joys of travelling on two wheels."

Bikeability has already proven to be a hit with children who undertook the training as part of the pilot scheme. More than 10,000 badges were awarded in six months and over 80% of training organisers and instructors said they saw an increase in the number of children cycling to school after participating in Bikeability. Three in five (60%) parents whose children undertook the Bikeability training say they are now more positive about their children cycling on the roads.

Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England, added: “We recognise that safety on the roads is every parent’s concern but the first step in creating safer cycling must be to ensure every child gets the proper training that is Bikeability. Cycling has a unique role to play in making a difference to individuals and to society, improving public health and reducing childhood obesity, as well as tackling road congestion at a local level with the knock-on effect on helping to tackle climate change. Cycling England’s ambition is that, within five years, no child should leave primary school without the chance to receive Bikeability training.”

Any schools who are interested in setting up Bikeability training can get more information online at http://www.bikeability.org.uk. Bike Week, the UK’s annual ‘celebration of cycling’, is 16-24 June this year.

Energy Saving Gadgets At Nigel's Eco Store
Organic Sunscreen
Booja Booja Organic Chocolates
Organic Teenage Skincare Range Launched

Facebook     Delicious        Digg This

©Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 2005 - 2011
www.reducereuserecycle.co.uk