Government announces £18 million cycling investment to ease pressure on public transport after lockdown

The funding, which is managed by The Bikeability Trust charity, will go toward delivering on-road cycle training as a modern day equivalent of the ‘Cycling Proficiency’ scheme for children, which many parents will have undertaken themselves during their school days.

For families looking to improve their confidence cycling together, local authorities will offer bespoke training sessions with an instructor, to help them feel confident in a range of scenarios.

The Government said today’s investment will help ensure children are road-ready on their bikes as schools and families prepare for the summer term.

Mr Shapps said: “Cycling is a fun and healthy way for pupils to get to school, and we want as many as possible to make it their choice of transport. With social distancing still a necessity, the more people who walk or cycle, the more we can ease pressure on public transport as people return to normal life.

“But we know not all children, or parents, feel bike-confident. Today’s funding will kick-start our plans to provide Bikeability training to all children by 2025, giving the next generation of cyclists a life-skill and the confidence they need to choose a more active way to travel.”

Emily Cherry, Executive Director, Bikeability Trust said: "The commitment of Government to fund Bikeability in this next year is hugely welcomed as we seek to ensure that every child can access cycling as a life skill by 2025. This record investment will allow us to reach more children and, importantly, their families too, as a result of additional funding for our family module.

“Personally, I know the value of Bikeability cycle training for both children and their parents, having taken part in family training with my teacher husband and our children. Now, they cycle to school daily using the skills they learned from the training and as a family, we continue to enjoy cycling together. Bikeability is the first step to ensure that adults and children alike have the confidence and competence to cycle.”