Cycle training for children

Hampshire County Council has a commitment to encourage more pupils to cycle to school safely. To support this, we provide Year 6 pupils with the opportunity to undertake Bikeability Level 2 cycle training.  

Our programme aims to develop children as responsible and safe cyclists and to help them understand how they can help to protect themselves on the road by wearing a helmet and bright clothing.

Bikeability

Bikeability is the Cycling Proficiency Test for the 21st century, designed to give the next generation the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on today's roads.  The Department for Transport (DfT) supports Bikeability and the efforts of Cycling England to make it universal throughout England.  

Bikeability is not part of the National Curriculum although under the Government's 'Travelling to school' action plan teachers are encouraged to use geography, PSHE, citizenship and other lessons to explain the benefits of  sustainable travel including cycling. Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) have confirmed that it is acceptable to deliver cycle training as part of P.E lessons.

Hampshire County Council’s road safety team have been fortunate to be awarded a further grant of £300,000 from the Department for Transport to continue to provide Bikeability cycle training to Year 6 children across the county 2011/2012.

For further information about the Bikeability scheme please visit www.dft.gov.uk/bikeability

Linked below are two short films in which parents and teachers share their experiences of the Bikeability cycle training scheme:

Parents: http://www.youtube.com/user/transportgovuk?feature=watch#p/c/1/aKxFIiTRS9c

Teachers: http://www.youtube.com/user/transportgovuk?feature=watch#p/c/2/Gj44JmWXHwI

If you would like more information please contact the Road Safety Team on 01962 846100 or email road.safety@hants.gov.uk