15,000 Cumbria school children to pedal their way to better cycling

‘Bikeability’ safe cycling training is to be delivered for the next three years Credit: PA

Tens of thousands of Cumbria school children are set to be trained in how to ride their bikes safely.

‘Bikeability’ safe cycling training will be delivered across the county's primary and secondary schools until 2020.

Cumbria County Council awarded a contract to Cumbria-based Cyclewise to deliver the training for the next three years.

The contract is available following the council securing £600,000 from the Department of Transport.

Cyclewise Ltd is expected to train 5,000 Cumbria school children each year.

Each year, over 1,000 Primary School children in Years 3 and 4 will learn basic playground cycle skills.

Children in Years 5 and 6 will learn how to ride their bikes safely on roads and cycle lanes.

This will help them to start cycling to school.

More intensive and advanced training will be offered to 150 secondary school students in Years 7 and 8 who already regularly cycle to school.

Cumbria County Council said:

Cyclewise Ltd said:

Cumbria County Council has organised Bikeability cycle training, with Department for Transport funding support for more than 40,000 Cumbrian school pupils since 2007.